Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
October 31, 1864
Hon. James A. Seddon,
Secretary of War, Richmond:
Sir: Some time since I recommended that a battalion of cavalry, or more, if it could be spared, be sent from South Carolina to the vicinity of Wilmington to take the place of several detached companies belonging to regiments in this army which are very much needed here. It is of great importance that General Bragg should have some cavalry in the vicinity of Wilmington, and I hope arrangements will be made to send this from South Carolina if it can be spared as soon as practicable. The First and Second South Carolina regiments which formerly belonged to this army might spare the desired force, and they are veteran troops accustomed to severe picket duty.
I am, 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, Volume 42, Part 3, p. 1185.
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 October 20
