Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
January 6, 1864
Maj. Gen. J. A. Early,
Mount Jackson, Va.:
General: I have just received your letter of the 3d instant. I very much regret the difficulties that beset your undertaking, and particularly that you are deprived of General Imboden’s counsel. I hope you will get all the information you require from his officers or the men in the country.
You will find, I think Captain McNeill bold and intelligent, and others in the cavalry. Take all possible care of the men and horses. The report I sent by telegraph of General Gregg’s movement is confirmed. It is stated he left Warrenton Friday, the 1st instant, and crossed over to Front Royal. He is said to have with him two brigades of cavalry and five pieces of artillery. I have not heard of him since.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee,
General
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 33, pp. 1066-1067
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2021 November 8
