Confidential} Hd. Qrs. Army N. Va.
22nd Oct 1862
General,
I wish you to direct Gen Walker’s Division to proceed to Paris via Millwood, and to take post either at that place, Upperville, or on Crooked Creek in the vicinity of Piedmont. It will be necessary to advise him to keep his pickets on the alert, and his command in readiness either for action or the march, as the enemy are in the habit of sending scouting parties, from the Potomac and Fairfax C. H. where they are said to be in force, as far as Aldie, Middleburg, and the Plains.
Genl Stuart will be directed to advance his cavalry pickets towards Middleburg, and to notify Genl Walker of any movements of the enemy east of the Blue Ridge that may come to their Knowledge I desire Gen Walker, as soon as he reaches his destination to send intelligent officers on the roads via Markham and Piedmont towards Warrenton, Orleans, and Washington, and to satisfy himself as to the best routes to Culpeper and Madison Court Houses, so that he may move in either of those direction as circumstances may require. I wish him also to make himself acquainted with the roads to Front Royal. In case of his being pressed by a superior force east of the mountains, he can retire towards Winchester or Front Royal, as the movements of the enemy in the Valley may render requisite.
His forage and provisions if practicable, I wish drawn from Loudoun, Fauquier, and Rappahannock. Should it be necessary, he can draw his flour from the Valley.
I desire that you will instruct him particularly to permit no straggling from his Division, and no depredations upon the country. Everything consumed by his Division need be purchased and paid for, and nothing must be taken until purchased by the proper authority. I desire him to keep himself in communication with Colonel Payne, who commands at Warrenton. He will of course repulse any advance of the enemy westward, whom he may engage with propriety, and will communicate any movements of the enemy toward the Rappahannock or Richmond that he can discover.
I have the honor to be,
Very respy your obt. servt
RE Lee
Genl
Source: Digital scan of original letter, not in Lee’s hand but signed by Lee, Cutts-Madison Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2019 January 4
