Robert E. Lee to Samuel Jones

General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6^th instant, and approve of the course you have adopted with reference to General Jenkins’ cavalry brigade. I hope that every effort will be made to restore it to efficient condition by the spring. I hope that Lieutenant-Colonel Witcher’s cavalry will be sufficient to supply the present deficiency in the valley.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R E Lee,

General