MARCH 30, 1864:
After a
long period of inactivity in the Eastern Theatre, General Robert E. Lee begins
to lay his plans to defeat Ulysses S. Grant in the Spring of ’64. He pens the
following missive to his Commander-in-Chief:
Headquarters, Army of
Northern Virginia
March 30, 1864
Mr. President:
Since my former
letter on the subject the indications that operations in Virginia will be
vigorously prosecuted by the enemy are stronger than they then were. Genl Grant has returned from the army in the
West. He is at present with the Army of
the Potomac, which is being reorganized and recruited. From the reports of our scouts the impression
prevails in that army that he will operate it in the coming campaign. Every train brings it recruits, & it is
stated that every available regiment at the North is added to it. It is also reported that Genl Burnside is
organizing a large army at Annapolis, & it seems probable that additional
troops are being sent to the [Shenandoah] Valley. It is stated that preparations are making to
rebuild the railroad from Harper's Ferry to Winchester [Virginia], with would
indicate a reoccupation of the latter place.
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is very closely guarded along its
whole extent. No ingress or egress from
their lines is permitted to citizens as heretofore, and everything shows
secrecy & preparation. Their plans
are not sufficiently developed to discover them, but I think we can assume that
if Genl Grant is to direct operations on this frontier he will concentrate a
large force on one or more lines, & prudence dictates that we should make
such preparations as are in our power.
If an aggressive movement can be made in the West it will disconcert
their plans & oblige them to conform to ours. But if it cannot, Longstreet should be held
in readiness to be thrown rapidly in the Valley if necessary to counteract any
movement in that quarter, in accomplishing which I could unite with him, or he
unite with me, should circumstances require it on the Rapidan. The time is also near at hand when I shall
require all the troops belonging to this army.
I have delayed calling for Genl Hoke, who, besides his own brigade, has
two regiments of another of this army, under the expectation that the object of
his visit to North Carolina may yet be accomplished. I have heard nothing on the subject
recently, & if our papers are correct in their information, the enemy has
thrown reinforcements into that State, & the Neuse is barricaded just above
New Berne. There is another brigade of
this army, Genl R. D. Johnston's at Hanover Junction [Virginia]. I should like as soon as possible to get
them both back.
I am with great
respect, your most obt svt
R. E. Lee
Genl
