| Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia |
| November 12, 1863 |
| |
| His Excellency Jefferson Davis |
| President Confederate States, Richmond |
| |
| Mr. President,
|
| Our scouts report the Orange
& Alexandria Railroad finished as far as Bealeton. They report,
moreover, that the road from Union Mills to that point is almost
entirely stripped of troops, nearly all the road guards having been
sent forward. Trains have lately passed up bringing artillery.
Cavalry has passed up with led horses. The route from Bealeton to
Kelly's Ford is almost as short as that from Brandy Station to the
same point, and the above movements indicate, I think, an advance on
the part of General Meade. There are indications also that this
advance will take place on our right by the lower fords, Germanna
and Ely's, as if with the intention of striking for the Richmond and
Fredericksburg Railroad {Richmond,
Fredericksburg & Potomac RR}. Should he move in that
direction, I will endeavor to follow him and bring him to battle,
but I do not see how I can do it without the greatest difficulty.
The country through which he will have to pass is barren. We have no
forage on hand and very little prospect of getting any from
Richmond. I fear our horses will die in great numbers, and, in fact,
I do not know how they will survive two or three days' march without
food. I hope every effort will be made to send some up, and I think
it would be well to stop the transportation of everything on the
railroad excepting army supplies.
|
| *****
|
| I am, with great respect, your obedient
servant,
|
| R. E. Lee
|
| General
|
|