Headquarters A N Va. Jan 11th 1863.
Mr President
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 subject, a copy of which I enclose herewith. I have taken the liberty of extending the time for his response to ten days, as I ascertain that five days would be too short a period for the investigation to be made, and the reply to reach this point. I have the honour to be 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. 36.