Headquarters,
New Market, Va., August 7, 1862
General S. Cooper,
Adjutant and Inspector General:
General: If it has not been done, I recommend a general order to be at once published directing all exchanged officers among the returned prisoners of war belonging to the Army of Northern Virginia, Valley District, and the Department of North Carolina at once to report to the respective commanders of each, the rest to your office; or perhaps all had better report to your office; then you can order them as they belong and as soon as exchanged.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R E Lee,
General
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 11, Part 3, p. 666
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2019 January 3