Letters / Correspondence

Jefferson Davis & Robert E. Lee

1-50 of 233 letters
Letters table
No. Sender Recipient Preview Date, oldest first
1 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis My absence on an examination of the coast of South Carolina and Georgia has prevented until now my reply to your note of the 4th instant, asking hat communication was made by General Beauregard to... Nov. 24, 1861
2 Jefferson Davis Robert E. Lee Sir: The unfortunate casualty which has deprived the army in front of Richmond of its immediate commander, General Johnston, renders it necessary to interfere temporarily with the duties to which... Jun. 1, 1862
3 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I regret that I did not see you when you called this afternoon - I was called to the Williamsburg Road where some heavy skirmishing was going on most of the day. One of the brigades, (Gen.... Jun. 24, 1862
4 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis A note just received from General Jackson this morning states that in consequence of the high water & mud, his command only reached Ashland last night. It was his purpose to resume his march... Jun. 26, 1862
5 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: Profoundly grateful to Almighty God for the signal victory granted to us, it is my pleasing task to announce to you the success achieved by this army to-day. The enemy was this... Jun. 27, 1862
6 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have the honor to report for your information that after the enemy had been driven from the left bank of the Chickahominy on the 27th inst:, he seemed to have determined to abandon his position... Jun. 29, 1862
7 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis The enemy this morning was found to have abandoned his position which he held yesterday The heavy rain, his extended cavalry, & some infantry, succeeded in keeping from us this information... Jul. 2, 1862
8 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I enclose you recent dispatches received from Genl. Stuart - They leave little doubt in my mind even as to the possibility of the truth of Genl. McClellans grand movement across the James river to... Jul. 3, 1862
9 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have just returned from examining the ground at Westover occupied by the enemy. I enclose a rough sketch - The enemy is strongly posted in the neck formed by Herring creek & James river - The... Jul. 4, 1862
10 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis From the conflicting and exaggerated reports of the movements of the enemy I conclude that he has been re-enforced, and there are besides indications that it may be his purpose to make a lodgment... Jul. 6, 1862
11 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis After a thorough reconnaissance of the position taken up by the enemy on James River, I found him strongly posted and effectually flanked by his Gunboats - In the present condition of our troops I... Jul. 9, 1862
12 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis In reference to my conversation with you when I had last the honour of seeing you, should Genl R. H. Anderson be promoted as then recommended, I would respectfully recommend Col: M. Jenkins to be... Jul. 11, 1862
13 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have had the honour to receive your letter of today in reference to the disposition of the Louisiana troops. In accordance with what I understood to be your wishes yesterday I had directed the 5t... Jul. 25, 1862
14 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have read with care the telegram signed J. Walker from Hanover Junction - His statements differ from those of two spies (Texans) who arrived from Washington to-day - These say that Pope with the... Jul. 25, 1862
15 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of Col. Smith 49th Va. Regt referred to me by you.In reply to a letter from Col. Smith to myself on the same subject, I informed him that I... Jul. 30, 1862
16 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis The army achieved today on the plains of Manassas a signal victory over the combined forces of Genls McClellan & Pope. Battles of 28 & 29 each wing under Genls Jackson & Longstreet... Jul. 31, 1862
17 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis In reply to your letter of the 2nd inst; I have the honor to inform you, that upon reflection, I deemed it proper to embody your letters to myself, in letters over my own signature, addressed to... Aug. 4, 1862
18 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis The Communication of Govr [Francis W.] Pickens [of South Carolina] of the 19th ulto: to his Excl the President has been read with much attention. I agree with him as to the importance of the... Aug. 4, 1862
19 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Indorsement on letter of General A. W. G. Davis, requesting that Colonel Davis' regiment of cavalry and Colonel Starke's regiment of infantry be sent to Greenbrier County,... Aug. 8, 1862
20 Jefferson Davis Robert E. Lee Your dispatch received. The retreat presents a case not originally contemplated. Have consulted General G. W. Smith, who will remain on the duty to which you assigned him, and will send General... Aug. 21, 1862
21 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I appointed Monday last, 18th instant, as the day for crossing the Rapidan, but the troops could not be got into position or provisioned. Monday it was hoped we should cross, but the cavalry had... Aug. 23, 1862
22 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Have written you my views today and ordered Genl Smith to join me with all the troops available subject to Your approval.R. E. Lee[Endorsed] 23 Coll 92 Aug 24, 1862. Genl R. E. Lee Jefferson, Va. Aug. 25, 1862
23 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Rec’d at Richmond Aug 26, 1862. By Telegraph from Jefferson 25th Via Rapidan 26thTo Presdt Jeffn DavisI believe a portion of McClellans army has Joined Pope expedite the advance of our troopsR. E.... Aug. 26, 1862
24 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I send you herewith a letter written by A. A. Tomlinson an officer of the Federal Army, which was picked up on the road by which they had marched, & which contains some facts in relation to the... Aug. 26, 1862
25 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Rec’d at Richmond Aug 28 [1862] By Telegraph from 2½ miles of Salem 27 Via Rapidan 28thTo Presdt DavisThe advance under Genl Jackson last night broke up the Orange and Alexandria R. R. at Bristoe... Aug. 28, 1862
26 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis So far the army has steadily advanced and repulsed the frequent attacks of the enemy. The line of the Rappahannock & Warrenton has been relieved. Many prisoners are captured, and I regret... Aug. 29, 1862
27 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis My dispatches will have informed you of the march of this portion of the army. Its progress has been necessarily slow, having a large and superior force on its flank; narrow & rough roads to... Aug. 30, 1862
28 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Recd at Richmond Sept 1st, 1862. By Telegraph from Hd Qrs Army N. Va. Groveton 30th Aug. 10 o’clock P.M. Via Rapidan 1st.To Presdt DavisThis Army achieved today on the plains of Manassas a signal... Sep. 1, 1862
29 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: The present seems to be the most propitious time since the commencement of the war for the Confederate Army to enter Maryland. The two grand armies of the United States that have... Sep. 3, 1862
30 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I am extremely indebted to Your Excellency for your letter of the 30th ultimo, and the letter from Washington, which you inclosed to me. You will already have learned all that I have... Sep. 4, 1862
31 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: As I have already had the honor to inform you, this army is about entering Maryland, with a view of affording the people of that State an opportunity of liberating themselves.... Sep. 5, 1862
32 Jefferson Davis Robert E. Lee Sir: It is deemed proper that you should, in accordance with established usage, announce, by proclamation to the people of Maryland, the motives and purposes of your presence among them at the head... Sep. 7, 1862
33 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I have the honor to inform you that all the divisions of the army have crossed the Potomac, unless it may be General Walker’s, from whom I have had no respect since his arrival at... Sep. 7, 1862
34 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I find that the discipline of the army, which, from the manner of its organization, the necessity of bringing it into immediate service, its constant occupation and hard duty, was... Sep. 7, 1862
35 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Recd at Richmond Sept 8, 1862 By Telegraph from Montgomery Co., Md. 13 miles from. Frederick town Md. 6th.To Presdt DavisTwo divisions of the army have crossed the Potomac. I hope all will cross... Sep. 8, 1862
36 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: The present position of affairs, in my opinion, places it in the power of the Government of the Confederate States to propose with propriety to that of the United States the... Sep. 8, 1862
37 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: Since my letter to you of the 7th instant, nothing of interest, in a military point of view, has transpired. As far as I can learn, the enemy are not moving in this direction, but... Sep. 8, 1862
38 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: Before crossing the Potomac I considered the ad vantages of entering Maryland east or west of the Blue Ridge. In either case it was my intention to march upon this town. By crossing... Sep. 9, 1862
39 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I have just received your letter of the 7th instant, from Rapidan, informing me of your intention to come on to Leesburg. While I should feel the greatest satisfaction in having an... Sep. 9, 1862
40 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I have just received your letter of the 7th instant, from Rapidan, informing me of your intention to come on to Leesburg. While I should feel the greatest satisfaction in having an... Sep. 12, 1862
41 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I regret that you should have exposed yourself, while indisposed, to the fatigue of travel, though I should have been highly gratified at an opportunity of conferring with you on... Sep. 13, 1862
42 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: My letter to you of the 13th instant informed you of the positions of the different divisions of this army. Learning that night that Harper’s Ferry had not surrendered, and that the... Sep. 16, 1862
43 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: On the afternoon of the 16th instant, the enemy, who, you were informed on that day, was in our front, opened a light fire of artillery upon our line. Early next morning it was... Sep. 18, 1862
44 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Sir: Since my last letter to you of the 18th, finding the enemy indisposed to make an attack on that day, and our position being a bad one to hold with the river in rear, I determined to cross the... Sep. 20, 1862
45 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: As stated to you yesterday, the march of the army toward Williamsport was arrested. General Jackson’s corps was turned back toward Shepherdstown, to rectify occurrences in that... Sep. 21, 1862
46 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have the honor to send herewith a copy of the "Balto American" of the 29th ulto which besides containing the latest news from the Northern States, gives an account of the plundering of... Oct. 1, 1862
47 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Recd at Richmond, Oct. 28, 1862. By Telegraph from Hd Qrs A. N. W. 28To His Excellency The Presdt Jeff Davis.Your dispatch of 25th rec’d will make the arrangement you desire as soon as... Oct. 28, 1862
48 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: There is a general movement of the enemy from Warrenton, and he is falling down to the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. I am not certain as to his destination. There are indications... Nov. 17, 1862
49 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: General Stuart wrote to me from Warrenton, 6.30 p.m. yesterday, that the last of the enemy’s infantry and artillery passed through that place at 2 p. m.; their cavalry at 3 p. m., in... Nov. 19, 1862
50 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I think Burnside is concentrating his whole army opposite Fredericksburg.R. E. Lee.[Endorsed] 10/130 pd D Mc. Nov. 20, 1862 Genl R. E. Lee Fredericksburg Nov. 20, 1862