Hd Qrs A. N. Va. 4th Aug. 1862.
Sir,
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 the Genl. Commands U. S. A. I thought this course preferable to sending copies of your letters to the enemy.
The two communications were sent yesterday morning by flag of truce. I am Sir; very respectfully,
Your obt. servt.
R. E. Lee Genl.
W. J. De Renne CollectionWormsloe, Chatham County, Georgia (1914)
Printed in Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee’s Dispatches, Dispatch No. 21.