Robert E. Lee to Unknown

Your note of the 22nd has been received. Accept my warm thanks for the kind wishes you send to me. I regret extremely the annoyance & loss which you have met with from stragglers of our Army. I have directed the Cavalry to use stringent measures to collect them and send them to their <illegible>. They disgrace our Army and paralyze our effective action - I fear that you can only get compensation for your losses by act of Congress as you cannot apply to any particular quarter master - Present my thanks to your daughter for the bouquet with the hope that I may meet her someday to express them in person - With many wishes for the welfare of yourself & family, I am Very respectfully

Your obt servt

R E Lee Genl

Official C. Venable Maj & Adj