Letters / Correspondence

James A. Seddon & Robert E. Lee

1-50 of 69 letters
Letters table
No. Sender Recipient Preview Date, oldest first
1 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: In carrying out the policy of the Government of brigading the troops according to the States from which they come, I have found it necessary to dismember the brigade commanded by Brig. Gen.... Nov. 25, 1862
2 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: Your letter of the 26th instant has been handed to me by Brig. R. A. Pryor. There is not an unattached regiment in this portion of the army, or a Virginia regiment in a brigade formed of... Nov. 28, 1862
3 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: About three thousand arms are required for this army. They are wanted for General Jackson’s corps, and [the want] arises principally from the fact that the arms belonging to the sick and... Dec. 1, 1862
4 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: About three thousand arms are required for this army. They are wanted for General Jackson’s corps, and [the want] arises principally from the fact that the arms belonging to the sick and... Dec. 1, 1862
5 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: In the cavalry attached to this army there are a number of men, dismounted; their horses in some instances have been killed in battle, in others they have been worn out in the service. The... Dec. 1, 1862
6 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have the honor to represent to you that there is still a great want of shoes in the army, between 2,000 and 3,000 men being at present barefooted. Many have lost their shoes in the long... Dec. 2, 1862
7 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: A report from Colonel Imboden, on the Shenandoah Mountains, states that the enemy, who have recently been threatening Staunton, have fallen back beyond Beverly, leaving a guard of about 200... Dec. 5, 1862
8 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: During the past campaign I have felt, in every battle, the advantages that the enemy possessed over us in their artillery. This arose in part from their possessing more experienced... Dec. 5, 1862
9 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 4th instant, and to express my thanks for your prompt attention to my requisitions. I fear I was not sufficiently explicit in my... Dec. 5, 1862
10 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Scouts sent to Gloucester report that two regiments of infantry, two of cavalry, and a battery of artillery made an excursion into the counties of Gloucester and King and Queen on Friday and... Dec. 16, 1862
11 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Scouts sent to Gloucester report that two regiments of infantry, two of cavalry, and a battery of artillery made an excursion into the counties of Gloucester and King and Queen on Friday and... Dec. 16, 1862
12 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon As far as can be ascertained this stormy morning, the enemy has disappeared in our immediate front, and has recrossed the Rappahannock. I presume he is mediating a passage at some other point.R E Lee Dec. 16, 1862
13 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith two letters from Brig. Gen. W. E. Jones, of the 26th instant. General Jones, by my direction, was left in command of the troops in the valley by General... Dec. 29, 1862
14 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have the honor to represent to you the absolute necessity that exists, in my opinion, to increase our armies, if we desire to oppose effectual resistance to the vast numbers that the enemy... Jan. 10, 1863
15 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: Your letter of the 12th instant is received. In reply to that portion which refer to complaints of the inactivity of our troops in the valley, I can only say that General Jones, who has always... Jan. 14, 1863
16 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon I go down this morning to examine the preparations which the enemy seem to be making on the banks of the Rappahannock. I understand that a redoubt has been built on the hill overlooking the river,... Jan. 19, 1863
17 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon The commissary of this army, in compliance with instructions of the Commissary-General at Richmond, has reduced the salt-meat ration, and ordered the sugar to be substituted. I learn this more:... Jan. 22, 1863
18 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon The commissary of this army, in compliance with instructions of the Commissary-General at Richmond, has reduced the salt-meat ration, and ordered the sugar to be substituted. I learn this more:... Jan. 23, 1863
19 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have directed the chief commissary of the Army of Northern Virginia, Colonel Cole, to repair to Richmond, with a view of ascertaining what supply of provisions can be relied on for the... Jan. 26, 1863
20 James A. Seddon Robert E. Lee Sir: I have heard with great anxiety the apprehensions entertained by you respecting supplies to your army. Every opportunity has been afforded to Colonel Cole to learn from the proper officers the... Jan. 28, 1863
21 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have had the honor to receive a letter from the Hon. A. R. Boteler, transmitting a petition of certain members of the General Assembly of Virginia, with reference to the defense of the... Feb. 2, 1863
22 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have received a letter from Mr. [H. D.] Whitcomb, superintendent of the Virginia Central Railroad, with reference to the supplies of wood on the road, and its present condition, with a... Mar. 25, 1863
23 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon I request that Ransom’s and Pettigrew’s brigades be stopped at Hanover Junction, with orders to protect the railroads from the enemy’s cavalry.It is reported that the enemy has crossed at... May 3, 1863
24 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon It becomes my melancholy duty to announce to you the death of General Jackson. He expired at 3.15 p. m. to-day. His body will be conveyed to Richmond in the train to-morrow, under charge of Major... May 10, 1863
25 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Reports from Genl Pickett and Major Collins on the lower Rappahannock state that the Enemy from York River have crossed at Urbanna and are proceeding up the Northern Neck. I presume to join Genl... Jun. 4, 1863
26 James A. Seddon Robert E. Lee General: I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 3d instant. I have been under a misapprehension, if there was no force absorbed into General Pickett’s division, to supply, at least... Jun. 9, 1863
27 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon I had the honor to receive yesterday your letters of the 9th and 10th instant.You can realize the difficulty of operating in any offensive movement with this army if it has to be divided to cover... Jun. 13, 1863
28 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I regret to announce the death of General J. J. Pettigrew, commanding the North Carolina brigade of Heth's division, General A. P. Hill's corps.He was wounded by a pistol-shot in the... Jul. 17, 1863
29 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I take the liberty of inclosing for your consideration a letter received from Major Richards, of the quartermaster’s department, inclosing one to him from Mr. Whitcomb, superintendent of the... Jan. 8, 1864
30 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon I am unable to judge at this distance of the danger threatening Wilmington. I cannot see that the enemy is collecting any force against it, and when he does he must withdraw it from some other... Jan. 12, 1864
31 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: The present decision of the Department on the provisions of the act of Congress approved April 16, 1862, section 10, seems to be that an officer or private can only be promoted for valor and... Feb. 8, 1864
32 James A. Seddon Robert E. Lee General: I inclose to you herewith a slip from one of the morning papers containing an account of the disposal of a portion of the enemy’s force which recently attacked this city, and a copy of the... Mar. 5, 1864
33 James A. Seddon Robert E. Lee General: I inclose to you herewith a slip from one of the morning papers containing an account of the disposal of a portion of the enemy’s force which recently attacked this city, and a copy of the... Mar. 5, 1864
34 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon I have just received your letter of the 5th instant enclosing a slip from one of the Richmond journals, giving an account of the recent attack upon that city, & a copy of some papers found on... Mar. 6, 1864
35 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have the honor to call your attention to the effect of the act of Congress approved February 17, 1864, amending the law establishing military courts, which requires that “charges shall be... Mar. 23, 1864
36 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have the honor to suggest that in my opinion a plan might be adopted which would sensibly lessen the issue of Confederate money without doing injustice to the rights of any one. Since I have... Mar. 26, 1864
37 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon General Grant's army is intrenched near this place on both sides of the Brock road. Frequent skirmishing occurred yesterday and to-day, each army endeavoring to discover the position of the... May 10, 1864
38 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon This morning at dawn the enemy broke through that part of our line occupied by Johnson’s division and gained possession of a portion of our breast-works, which he still holds. A number of pieces of... May 12, 1864
39 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon This morning at dawn the enemy broke through that part of our line occupied by [General Edward] Johnson’s division and gained possession of a portion of our breastworks, which he still holds. A... May 12, 1864
40 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon The enemy has continued quiet today; he is taking ground toward our right and intrenching, but whether for attack or defense is not apparent.R E Lee May 20, 1864
41 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon The enemy is apparently again changing his base. Three gunboats came up to Port Royal two days since. This morning an infantry force appeared at Guiney's; his cavalry advanced at Downer's... May 21, 1864
42 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon The enemy has made no demonstration against our position to-day. From present indications he seems to contemplate a movement on our left flank. It is reported that the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and... May 26, 1864
43 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon The enemy retired to the north side of the North Anna last night. A portion of his force is still visible on the north bank, but cavalry and infantry have crossed at Hanovertown. I have sent the... May 27, 1864
44 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: The army is in front of this position extending towards Totopotomy Creek. As far as I can ascertain none of the enemy have advanced south of that Creek. I believe that he is assembling his... May 28, 1864
45 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Yesterday afternoon the enemy’s cavalry were reported to be advancing by the left of our line toward Hanover Court-House and Ashland. General Hampton, with Rosser’s brigade, proceeded to meet them.... Jun. 2, 1864
46 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon About 4.30 a. m. to-day the enemy made an attack upon the right of our line. In front of General Hoke’s and part of General Breckinridge’s line he was repulsed without difficulty. He succeeded in... Jun. 3, 1864
47 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday. With my present information as to the movements of the enemy’s cavalry I am unable to determine their destination. The... Jun. 10, 1864
48 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Sir: The enemy has made no movement to-day. The skirmishing along the lines has been somewhat more active and systematic than during the last two days.Very respectfully, your obedient servant,R. E.... Jun. 10, 1864
49 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon I enclose a recommendation of Colonel Morgan' of Alabama for Rodes Brigade. From all that I can learn of Colonel Morgan and from Genl. Ewell's and Gen'l Rodes' opinion expressed... Jun. 11, 1864
50 Robert E. Lee James A. Seddon Genl. Beauregard telegraphs that last night the enemy assaulted his lines twice and were repulsed, leaving 400 prisoners, including eleven commissioned officers, in our hands. To-day the enemy... Jun. 17, 1864