| Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia |
| Hagerstown, Md., September 13, 1862 |
| |
| His Excellency President Davis |
| Richmond, Va. |
| |
| Mr. President, |
| ***** |
| I am glad to hear that the railroad
bridge over the Rapidan {on the Orange &
Alexandria RR} is in a fair way to completion. I fear all the
locomotives and cars captured at Bristoe and Manassas have been
destroyed either by the enemy or ourselves. As I before stated,
having only Jackson's and Longstreet's corps in the battle of
Manassas, I was unable to spare men to save property, though I knew
and felt its value. |
| ***** |
| With sincere wishes for your health and prosperity, I
am, most respectfully and truly, yours, |
| R. E. Lee |
| General |
|