Robert E. Lee to Jefferson Davis

I had the honour to receive last evg your letter of the 31st - I am sorry to hear that Genl Laws anticipates injustice at the hands of Genl Longstreet - I do not, & think that Genl Laws has nothing to do but his whole duty, & he need fear nothing - I know of no objection to making the transfer of his brigade to Hokes division, provided the change is acceptable to the brigades themselves - It is neither right or politic to consult the wishes of the Commr alone.

The information contained in the notes you enclosed me, I hope is exaggerated as regards to numbers - Grant will get every man he can & 150000 men is the number generally assumed by Northern papers & reports - Unless we can obtain a reasonable approximation to his force I fear a great calamity will befall us. On last Thursday at Burgess' mill we had three brigades to oppose six divisions - On our left two divisions to oppose two corps - The inequality is too great - Our Cavy at Burgess Mill I think saved the day - I came along our whole line yesterday from Chaffins Bluff to this place. Today I shall visit the lines here & to-morrow go down to the right. I always find something to correct on the lines, but the great necessity I observed yesterday, was the want of men. With great respect

Your obt servt

R. E. Lee