[Telegram] (Copy) Head Qrs. Mar 31/65.
Hon. Secretary of War,
Genl. Taylor reports enemy has commenced the siege of the Eastern defences of Mobile. Our fire, so far, is superior. Our casualties few and slight. On the 28th. the Federal fleet attempted to co-operate in the attack, but was driven off. One Monitor was sunk on the Western shore and gunboat disabled approaching the batteries.
(Signed) R. E. Lee
W. J. De Renne CollectionWormsloe, Chatham County, Georgia (1914)
Printed in Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee’s Dispatches, Dispatch No. 199.