[Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, c.July 4 - 6 1864]
Mr President
I send you a Herald of the 2nd Inst: brought in to-day by a deserter - It contains some items of interest - The resignation of Mr Chase, appointment of Mr Fessenden, repeal of the gold bill &c - As our papers seem to take it for granted that Burnside's corps has gone to Washington, which if true, I do not know I refer you to the letter in which it is stated that Genls Grant Meade & Butler met at his quarters on the 28th Tuesday last - We took three prisoners from his corps on the 27th - He may have gone since & it is very difficult for me to get correct information here. I think though he is on the lines - They do not appear to have any information of Earlys movements. With great esteem
Your obt servt
R. E. Lee
W. J. De Renne CollectionWormsloe, Chatham County, Georgia (1914)
Printed in Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee’s Dispatches, Dispatch No. 150.