Robert E. Lee to S. Bassett French

May every happiness & success attend you. I am glad that General Jackson will have the benefit of your presence, & get <illegible> your loss to the good Gov - I thank you sincerely for your advice - The latter part is good. I have regretted my inability to see more of the troops - I have never had time to be with them except at their duties - Their parades etc I have been unable to attend. I visit their camps & their lines etc, but I have had to keep them so constantly at work. So much has to be done, & so much is yet to be done, that I have felt I might not to take them from it & engross their time with reviews etc for my gratification - You know how we live in hope, & I have always hoped that a better time was coming. Now I must give you some advice. Take care of yourself, & I know that the great God above us will take care of you. To him I trust you & confidently rely upon his goodness in all that may occur. I pray that you may soon be returned to us, bringing in your footsteps the blessings of peace - Think sometimes of your friend

R E LEE