| Confidential |
| Headquarters |
| Petersburg |
| February 21, 1865 |
| |
| Hon. J. C. Breckinridge |
| Secretary of War |
| Richmond |
| |
| I have had the honor to receive your
letter of yesterday's date. I have repeated the orders to the
commanding officers to remove and destroy everything in enemy's
route. In the event of the necessity of abandoning our position on
the James River, I shall endeavor to unite the corps of the army
about Burkeville (junction of South Side and {Richmond
&} Danville
railroads), so as to retain communication with the north and south
as long as practicable, and also with the west. I should think Lynchburg, or some point west, the most advantageous place to which to remove
stores from Richmond. This, however, is a most difficult point at this time to decide,
and the place may have to be changed by circumstances. It was my
intention in my former letter to apply for General J. E. Johnston,
that I might assign him to duty, should circumstances permit. I have
had no official report of the condition of General Beauregard's
health; it is stated from many sources to be bad. If he should break
entirely down, it might be fatal. In that event I should have no one
with whom to supply his place. I therefore respectfully request
General Johnston may be ordered to report to me and that I may be
informed where he is. |
| With great respect, your obedient servant, |
| R. E. Lee |
| General |
|