Letters / Correspondence

Jefferson Davis & Robert E. Lee

51-100 of 233 letters
Letters table
No. Sender Recipient Preview Date, oldest first
51 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I have endeavored for some time to avoid the necessity of pursuing the course I am now about to take; but the representations of the division commanders under whom Brig. Gen. Thomas... Nov. 25, 1862
52 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I have endeavored in my official communication to the Adjutant and Inspector General of the Army to keep you apprised of the military condition of affairs on this frontier.For the... Nov. 25, 1862
53 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: The reports of the scouts received today state that the whole force of the enemy is concentrated between Fredericksburg and Aquia Creek. Their camps extended along the Telegraph road... Nov. 27, 1862
54 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have received by means of our scouts, a late Northern paper, the New York Herald of the 27th inst; which contains matters of interest not probably known to you. I have the honor to send it to you... Nov. 30, 1862
55 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: The enemy still maintains his position north of the Rappahannock. I can discover no indications of his advancing, or of transferring his troops to other positions. Scouts on both of... Dec. 6, 1862
56 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: A scout, who has been absent for several weeks, returned last night. He has visited the cities from Washington to New York, inclusive. The former city he left on the night of the 2d... Dec. 8, 1862
57 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Received at Richd Apl 30th 1863 at 8:50 A.M. By telegraph from Fredericksburg 30To His Ex Presdt DavisDispatch of 11.30 P.M. yesterday received. Genl Stuart is supposed to have crossed Rapidan last... Jan. 8, 1863
58 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have the honour to have received your letter of 7th inst, with the two inclosures from Col. Imboden. In accordance with your instructions I have addressed a communication to Gen. Halleck upon the... Jan. 11, 1863
59 Jefferson Davis Robert E. Lee I have received the following dispatch from Governor Vance:Can you not spare General Lee to come down a few days and survey the situation I North Carolina? It would inspire confidence. A defeat... Jan. 12, 1863
60 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I have had the honor to receive your dispatch of yesterday,For several days past there have been general indications of some movement by the army of Burnside, but nothing... Jan. 13, 1863
61 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis 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
62 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: A scout just returned from Washington City reports that the impression is prevalent there that General Burnside’s army is preparing to advance. The river is filled with transports... Jan. 21, 1863
63 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I dislike very much to trouble Your Excellency, but the want of supplies for the troops has been reported to me this morning, which, coming at this time, causes me the greatest uneasiness. Unless... Jan. 22, 1863
64 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: Appearances now indicate that the enemy intend to advance. They seem to be moving to the line of the Rappahannock. They have shown themselves opposite Port Royal. Our scouts also... Jan. 23, 1863
65 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Reports from Scouts indicate movements of Enemy to Fredericksburg. I am making corresponding movements.R. E. Lee. Genl.[Endorsed] 14/56 VB. Telegram from Genl. Lee Culpepper C. H. July 31st. 1863. Jan. 31, 1863
66 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I believe Burnside with his corps has gone to Kentucky. He has assumed Command of Department of Ohio. No troops in my opinion have left Hooker’s army for Tennessee will write by mail.R. E.... Apr. 2, 1863
67 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis If any troops can be sent by rail to Gordonsville under a good officer I recommend it Longstreet’s Division if available had better come to me and the troops for Gordonsville and protection of Rail... Apr. 29, 1863
68 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I find the enemy in a strong position at Chancellorsville and in large force; his communications extend to the Rapidan, at Germanna and Ely's Fords, and to the Rappahannock, at... May 2, 1863
69 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Yesterday General Jackson, with three of his divisions, penetrated to the rear of the enemy, and drove him from all his positions from the Wilderness to within 1 mile of Chancellorsville. He was... May 3, 1863
70 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I desire Genl Rodes to command D. H. Hill’s old Division. He is a good soldier behaved admirably in the last battles and deserves promotion. Genl Johnson will command Trimbles Division. Genl... May 7, 1863
71 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis After driving Genl Sedgwick across the Rappahannock on the night of the fourth (4) inst I returned on the 5th to Chancellorsville with the divisions of Genls McLaws and Anderson. Their march was... May 7, 1863
72 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I hardly think it necessary to state to Your Excellency that unless we can increase the cavalry attached to this army we shall constantly be subject to aggressive expeditions of the... May 7, 1863
73 Jefferson Davis Robert E. Lee Dear General: A great national calamity has befallen us, and I sympathize with the sorrow you feel and the embarrassment you must experience. The announcement of the death of General Jackson... May 11, 1863
74 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I beg leave to return you my thanks for your prompt consideration & action on my letter of the 20th - I may have misled you in my remarks upon Genls Heth & Pender as to my views regarding... May 25, 1863
75 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I gave Geni Hill Discretionary orders from Richmond to apportion his force to the strength of Enemy and send what could be spared. He declined to act and requested positive orders. I gave such... May 29, 1863
76 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Genl Elzey reports reinforcements have been sent to Genl Hooker’s army from Suffolk, Yorktown and West Point. I require all troops that can be spared. Pickett has been ordered to Culpepper. I... Jun. 7, 1863
77 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Cooke had better be advanced to Hanover Junction, and Jenkins to the Chickahominy. Corse is ordered to join Pickett. Enemy crossed the Rappahannock at Beverly Ford—cavalry, infantry, and... Jun. 9, 1863
78 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis After the rear of the army had crossed the Potomac, the leading corps under General Ewell pushed on to Carlisle & York, passing through Chambersburg. The other two corps closed up at the latter... Jul. 4, 1863
79 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis My letter of yesterday should have informed you of the position of this army. Though reduced in numbers by the hardships and battles through which it has passed since leaving the Rappahannock its... Jul. 5, 1863
80 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Received at Richmond July 16th. 1863. By Telegraph from near Martinsburg 14th. Via Staunton 16th.To Jeff. Davis Presdt.After remaining at Hagerstown long enough to cause the enemy to concentrate... Jul. 16, 1863
81 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I reached here this morning with Longstreet’s Corps. I expect Hill’s Corps to arrive within ten (10) miles this evening. Ewell’s will come by Thornton Gap.R. E. Lee.[Endorsed] 25/100 PC. July 24th.... Jul. 24, 1863
82 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis The wish expressed in your telegram of 22nd. has been anticipated. Surgn. Mitchell is now on leave to visit his mother.R. E. Lee.[Endorsed] DV. July 25th. 1863 Genl. R. E. Lee. Jul. 25, 1863
83 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Reports of enemy moving to Fredericksburg are not confirmed to-day. On the contrary they appear to be advancing on this route. I have crossed columns of infantry on pontoon bridges at Ellis’ and... Aug. 1, 1863
84 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have the honour to recommend Brig. Gen. C. M. Wilcox to the command of the division lately under Gen. Pender - This division is composed of two brigades from N. Carolina under Genl Lane &... Aug. 1, 1863
85 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I have the honour to return the letters enclosed in that of your Excellency’s of the 4th inst; No arrangements have been made for consolidating the regiments as Col Holt supposes. It is a subject... Aug. 5, 1863
86 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Your letters of July 28 and August 2 have been received, and I have waited for a leisure hour to reply, but I fear that will never come. I am extremely obliged to you for the attention given to the... Aug. 8, 1863
87 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis The difficulty of supplying a commander to Wilcox’s brigade provided he is promoted as has been recommended is not so easily overcome - The person best entitled and best qualified in my opinion is... Aug. 10, 1863
88 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis The number of desertions from the army is so great and still continues to such an extent that unless some cessation of them can be caused I fear success in the field will be seriously endangered.... Aug. 17, 1863
89 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: The number of desertions from this army is so great, and still continues to such an extent, that unless some cessation of them can be caused, I fear success in the field will be... Aug. 17, 1863
90 Jefferson Davis Robert E. Lee Referred to Genl. Lee for consideration in consideration with such verbal explanations as the Hon. Mr. Hilton will be pleased to make.Jeffer Davis Aug. 23, 1863
91 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Respectfully returned to His Execy President Davis. Gov. Milton has been informed that the Florida Brigade cannot be spared from the Army, unless an equal force can be sent to take its placeR E Lee... Sep. 3, 1863
92 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis I beg leave to forward to you directly the inclosed papers for your consideration as I think speedy action on the case of much importance to the efficiency of the brigade in question. I leave it to... Sep. 8, 1863
93 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Troops are on march Two divisions will reach Hanover Junction this morning. No trains yet.R. E. Lee[Endorsed] 15/60 Sept. 9/63. Genl. R. E. Lee. Sep. 9, 1863
94 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I have seen with pleasure the announcement of your return to Richmond, after a journey which I hope has proved as beneficial to yourself as I am persuaded it has been to the... Nov. 10, 1863
95 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Dispatch of sixth received. Can go if ordered. Have written by mail.R. E. Lee[Endorsed] 11/44 Vb. Telegram Genl R. E. Lee Orange C. H. Dec. 7 1863 Dec. 7, 1863
96 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: The time is at hand when, if an attempt can be made to capture the enemy’s forces at New Berne, it should be done. I can now spare troops for the purpose, which will not be the case... Jan. 2, 1864
97 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Recd at Richmond Apl 30, 1864 at 3 o’clock 45 minutes, By telegraph from Orange C.H.To His Excy Jefferson DavisBurnside’s forces with Artillery Wagons Ambulances &C passed through Centerville... Jan. 3, 1864
98 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis One hundred and twenty-five cattle, 25 wagon loads, hides, 125 mules, 200 prisoners captured in Hardy will reach Harrisonburg today.R. E. Lee,General Jan. 6, 1864
99 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I beg leave to apologize to Your Excellency for troubling you with subjects which properly ought not to come under your notice, but sometimes I find it impossible to accomplish what... Jan. 11, 1864
100 Robert E. Lee Jefferson Davis Mr. President: I inclose a dispatch received from General Early. I recommend that an intelligent scout be sent to Yorktown to verify the report of the landing of provisions, &c., and that a... Jan. 11, 1864