Headquarters First Army Corps |
March 28, 1865 |
|
General R. E. Lee |
Commanding, &c. |
|
Your telegram asking if we
can spare General Pickett's division as a supporting force to our
cavalry is received. I suggested that it should be sent on that
service because I was apprehensive that our railroad would be in
danger of being broken up behind us, leaving us without supplies
sufficient to hold Richmond until our communication south could be
re-established; or in case Sheridan went to North Carolina, his
mounted force would be too formidable for that of General
Johnston's, and that General Johnston's army would be in great
danger if we should not re-enforce him. I do not think that we can
well spare the division, but I think that we would choose a lesser
risk by sparing it in case Sheridan's cavalry makes either of these moves contemplated than we would by
holding him here-to await the result of these operations. The enemy
seems now to count upon taking Richmond
by raiding upon our lines of communication and not by attacking our
lines of work. I think, therefore, that we should endeavor to put a
force in the field that can contend against that of the enemy. If
Grant sends off his cavalry he can hardly intend to make any general
move of his main army until its return. In every aspect of affairs,
so far as I am advised, I think that the greater danger is from
keeping too close within our trenches. If we can remain where we
are, independently of the railroad, and if General Johnston would be
safe with such a force operating against him in addition to Sherman's, we had better keep the division here. You know much more about
all those points than I do and are much better able to decide upon
them. My supply train is in from Northern Neck and starts back
to-morrow for other provisions. If there is any impropriety in
sending it back please telegraph me as soon as you receive it that I
may recall it. We have about 100,000 pounds of meat near Dublin
and 18,000 at New Boston. The commissary of subsistence complains
that the railroad agents will not ship the meat unless it is boxed.
This cannot always be done. If you can in any way aid us in this
matter we shall do very well for some time to come. |
I remain, very respectfully, your most
obedient servant, |
J. Longstreet |
Lieutenant-General |
|