Copy
Head Qrs Valley Mtn
24 Aug 1861
Col A. Beckley
Va Vols Camp Shady Spring
Col:
I have just recd. your letter of the 21st inst and regret to learn that the four companies of Vols: in the county of Mercer declined being mustered into the service. The two comps of Cav’ry named by you could not properly form part of an Inft’y reg’t, which constitutes the 35th reg’t, but might join other cav’ry comps. serving in the Kanawha Valley. I shall refer the whole subject to Genl Floyd, comd’g the Army of the Kanawha, from whom you will receive instructions. The Infty comps. organizing in Tazewell & Giles, provided they are not intended for other reg’ts, you are authorized to muster into service as part of your reg’t, with the consent of the respective captains. On this subject I gave you full authority in a former letter (directed to Union Monroe Co. where you then were) which probably you have not recd. As regards all your military operations, you will conform to the instructions of Gen Jno. B. Floyd with whom you will report for orders.
I am, very respy
Your Obt Servant,
(sgd) R. E. Lee
Genl Comdg
Official Copy
W. H. Taylor
AAAG
Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 8, M2009.263, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2015 October 16
