Engineer Bureau,
Richmond, April 3, 1862
General R. E. Lee, C.S.A.,
Headquarters, Richmond:
General: There are now ready for the defense of James River one 8-inch and one 10-inch columbiad, with barbette carriages. These guns were ordered some time since for the battery in the vicinity of Old Fort Powhatan. Do you wish them sent to Harden’s Bluff or Mulberry island Point, or reserved for a position higher up the river?
With great respect, your obedient servant,
Alfred L. Rives,
Acting Chief Engineer Bureau
[Indorsement]
I do not know the condition of Fort Powhatan. It ought to be armed and river barricaded at once. If guns at present are more wanted at Harden’s or Mulberry Island, or if they will be more available there now than at Fort Powhatan, send them.
R E Lee
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 11, Part 3, pp. 417-418
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 July 18
