| Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia |
| April 4, 1863 |
| |
| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have had the honor to receive your
letter of the 1st instant, in reply to my application that 100
slaves be employed in the reparation of the Virginia Central
Railroad. |
| If the law forbids their application, I
do not ask that it be violated. But if it allows this labor to be
applied to works pertaining to the public defense, I think it may
with propriety be applied to this road. Our railroads are our
principal lines of communication, necessary for the transportation
of munitions of war, and to the maintenance of our defensive lines
and works; as much so as the lines and works themselves. We cannot
retain our position unless the railroads can afford sufficient
transportation, which they cannot do in their present condition. If
there is any better mode of placing the road in proper condition, I
would prefer it. |
| I have the honor to be, with great respect, your
obedient servant |
| R. E. Lee |
| General |
|