| Confidential |
| Hdqrs. Army of Northern Virginia |
| December 8, 1862 |
| |
| His Excellency Jefferson Davis
|
| Richmond, Va.
|
| |
| Mr. President, |
| ***** |
| If the troops in North Carolina and
around Richmond can keep back attacks directed from south of the
river, this army, if not able to resist General Burnside's advance,
can retire upon the capital, and then operate as circumstances may
dictate; but if the operations of the enemy south of James River
cannot be resisted, it had better at once approach nearer Richmond.
In this latter event I would leave a covering force here to
embarrass General Burnside's advance. |
| General Geary, on the 4th instant,
entered Winchester; but evacuated it in less than an hour, as he
stated, for prudential reasons, and retired to Harper's Ferry. Our
troops there hold their old positions. One of my objects in
destroying the railroads in that region was to prevent the
occupation of Winchester by the enemy, this winter at least. |
| I am reluctant to trouble Your
Excellency with my wants; but unless the Richmond and Fredericksburg
Railroad {Richmond, Fredericksburg &
Potomac RR} is more energetically operated, it will be
impossible to supply this army with provisions, and oblige its
retirement to Hanover Junction. |
| I have the honor to be, with great respect, Your
Excellency's obedient servant, |
| R. E. Lee |
| General |
|