Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
November 18, 1862
General S. Cooper,
Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond:
General: It may be interesting to the Department to know, while considering the sources from which supplies for the army can be obtained, that much subsistence can be procured in the counties of Culpeper, Madison, and Greene, if prompt measures are at once taken to collect them. The chief quartermaster of this army, through his agents, whom he has sent through these counties for the purpose of ascertaining from whom and what amount of supplies can be procured, has prepared a list, which, though incomplete, is yet very encouraging. Although the best portion of Greene and Madison Counties has not yet been examined, I see, from his partial statement, that in Greene County 43,470 bushels of wheat and 207,100 pounds of pork, and in Madison 6,937 bushels of wheat and 33,400 pounds of pork, and in Culpeper 17,450 bushels of wheat and 50,000 pounds of pork can be obtained. Corn and hay can be had in like proportions. Lieutenant-Colonel Corley is continuing his investigations; but I have thought it proper to advise the Department of what might be procured from these counties, provided we can prevent their occupation by the enemy.
I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
R E Lee
General
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 21, p. 1018
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 December 14
