| Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia |
| October 14, 1862 |
| |
| Hon. George W. Randolph |
| Secretary of War |
| Richmond, Va. |
| |
| Sir, |
| ***** |
| *** I am breaking up the Harper's Ferry
and Winchester [Rail]road {Winchester &
Potomac RR} to increase the obstacles to their advance up the
Shenandoah Valley. The iron would be very useful to the roads
farther south, and the flat iron might be used for Government
purposes, but I have no means of sending it away. |
| I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, |
| R. E. Lee |
| General |
|