| [Confidential] |
| Headquarters Lee's Cavalry
|
| Tuscaloosa, Ala.
|
| April 30, 1864 |
| |
| Lieut. Col. T. M. Jack |
| Assistant Adjutant General |
| Demopolis, Ala. |
| |
| Colonel, |
| I have received no reply as yet to my
communication with reference to removing my headquarters and the
expedition proposed into Middle Tennessee and Kentucky, but hope to hear to-day. I urge that the Memphis & Charleston
Railroad be at once completed to Corinth to facilitate furnishing
supplies near the Tennessee River in case any movement is
contemplated in that direction; it is the only way forage, &c.,
can be furnished, as the Tennessee Valley is exhausted. |
| The railroad from Corinth to Barton
Station, 28 miles west of Tuscumbia, on the Memphis & Charleston
Railroad, is but little out of order and can be easily repaired.
This I consider all-important, looking to future operations. |
| The move indicated I consider important,
as it will divert a large force to garrison the railroad and to
follow after the expeditions and so weaken the force at Chattanooga
as to enable General Johnston to beat it. If the enemy do not
garrison the railroad heavily it can be destroyed. |
| I do not think there is any move
contemplated in
Mississippi
by the enemy, and that their entire strength will be brought to bear
in Virginia
and Georgia, and that the two battles there will materially affect the grand
result, whereas any small expedition in Mississippi
or Alabama
will be subservient, to those in Virginia and Georgia. A flank move
from this department will disarrange all their plans. I also ask
that direction be given to furnish wagons, &c., for the pontoon
train now being built by Captain Wintter, near Gainesville, to be
used by my command or by the infantry command as in the opinion of
the commanding general may be expedient. I ask this as most of the
pontoons are now constructed. |
| I am, colonel, yours, respectfully, |
| S. D. Lee |
| Major-General |
|