| Head Qrs. Army No. Va. |
| 29th Octo 1863 |
| |
| To the Engineer officer in charge of working
party on Fred & Aquia RR {eastern end of the
Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac RR} |
| |
| Sir, |
| General Lee directs me to say
that a line of pickets has been established east of the Orange &
Alexandria R Road to observe and give notice of any movement of the
enemy threatening your working party. The officer commanding the picket
is instructed to communicate with you. It will be impossible to send a
guard to you sufficient to meet such force as the enemy could detach, as
they have their infantry as well as cavalry at their disposal, and the
above is the best arrangement that can be made. The general says that
your work must be executed with the utmost energy and secrecy to be
successful and desires that you will use a sufficient force to remove
the iron rapidly. He also is informed that there is a great supply of
telegraph wire of good quality between Fredericksburg and Dumfries of
which he wishes you to secure as much as possible. |
| Very respectfully Your obt servt |
| Charles Marshal A. D. C. |
|