| Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia |
| September 20, 1863 |
| |
| His
Excellency Jefferson Davis |
| President Confederate States |
| |
| Mr. President, |
| I have had the honor to
receive your letter of yesterday, giving the statements of gentlemen
from Norfolk with regard to negro troops and cavalry which the enemy
are collecting in that quarter for an attack on Weldon. I do not
apprehend that these negro regiments will prove a very formidable
body, though unopposed they might do us great damage. But as the
enemy are now in possession of the East Tennessee road, and the
progress on the line from Danville to Greensborough {the
Piedmont RR} has been so small in the past year, Weldon
becomes to us a point of much importance, and I think it would be
well to send Colonel Stevens, of the Engineers, to have some works
erected for its defense, as well as for the defense of other
vulnerable points on the railway {the
Petersburg RR}. These could be so arranged as to be held by a
small force until re-enforcements could be sent. If the navigation
of the Roanoke has not been yet obstructed, there may be danger from
light-draught steamers on that river, which is navigable very high
up. It can be readily obstructed, no doubt, and may be a good stream
for the use of torpedoes. |
| It is of the greatest importance to us now that
the line from Danville to the North Carolina Railway should be
speedily finished |
| I am, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, |
| R. E. Lee |
| General |
|