| Raleigh |
| March 11, 1865 |
| |
| General R. E. Lee |
| General-in-Chief |
| |
| General, |
| ***** |
| Should Sherman and Cox
unite, their march into Virginia
cannot be prevented by me. In that event, if I understand your
letter of February 23, you will meet us at the southern edge of Virginia
to give battle. Would it be practicable, instead, to hold one of the
inner lines of
Richmond
with one part of your army, and meet Sherman
with the other, returning to Richmond
after fighting? I should be glad to know as much as you think it
prudent to communicate of the effect upon your position of the
interruption by the Federal army of the railroad by Raleigh {It
is unclear to me what this means. Probably, the Wilmington &
Weldon must have been providing food through Raleigh to Lee by way
of the North Carolina RR and the Piedmont-Richmond & Danville
RRs.}. If the possession of the road by Raleigh
is necessary for the subsistence of your army, unless it is improper
to ask, I should be glad to be informed. I beg you to inform me of
everything in your affairs which is connected with my operations,
such as may be dependent on them, that I may do my utmost to aid
you. I shall also be grateful for any instructions you may have time
to give me. |
| I am, general, very respectfully, your
obedient servant, |
| J. E. Johnston |
| General |
|