Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia
| August 5, 1863 |
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| Col. L. B. Northrop |
| Commissary-General, C. S. Army |
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| Colonel, |
| Your letter of the 23d ultimo, and a
subsequent one without date, have been received.
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| *****
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| As regards your latter communication, I
agree with you that every effort should be made to accumulate
subsistence in Richmond. The necessities of this army and the
uncertainty of depending upon our railroads render this apparent.
Every assistance that I can give with the army transportation in
collecting the grain and transporting it to the depots will be
afforded, and immediately on the reception of your letter, Colonel
Corley was directed to furnish to the commissary agents you have
named the number of wagons you require, or as many in proportion as
could be spared for that purpose. He reports that he cannot find
Thomas J. Foster, but that he can place at his disposal thirty
four-horse wagons under one of his own quartermasters. He has
directed Major Bell, at Staunton, to use all his surplus
transportation in that district as Mr. Nelson may desire. Major Bell
answered that Mr. Nelson is unable to say at present how many teams
he may need or can use, but that he (Major Bell) can furnish him
fifty teams, probably one hundred, on condition that he procure
teamsters. To collect supplies in the Rappahannock Valley, he can
furnish twenty teams. These teams will all be placed in charge of
quartermasters, and will be set to work as soon as informed that the
grain is ready for transportation. As they form a part of the army
transportation, and may be needed for its use at any time, there is
an objection to turning them over to the commissary agents, but I
desire they shall be used in the way you propose.
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| The arrangement you propose for the
railroads I think ought to be made, but I have no means of
controlling their operations.
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| I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
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| R. E. Lee
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General
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