Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
June 18, 1864
General J. A. Early,
Lynchburg, Va.:
Grant is in front of Petersburg. Will be opposed there. Strike as quick as you can, and, if circumstances authorize, carry out the original plan, or move upon Petersburg without delay.
R E Lee
Source: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 37, Part 1, p. 766
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 September 19