Hdqrs. Department of Northern Virginia,
July 30, 1862
Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, Commanding Cavalry:
General: I hear through many sources that the Federal forces are arresting all the male citizens in Fredericksburg and its neighborhood, thereby causing great distress and alarm among our people in that region. Please give what protection you can to the families of our citizens and every facility in your power to get within our lines.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee
General
Source: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Vol. 12, Part 3, p. 920
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 July 19
