Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, January 26, 1863
General S. Cooper,
Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond:
General: I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 24th instant, forwarding a resolution of the House of Representatives calling upon the President for copies of the official reports of all battles not already presented to that body.
I have endeavored to keep the Department advised of the results of all battles in which this army has been engaged, as well as its movements and operations, but so great has been the labor of the troops during the campaign, so constant their occupation in the march and field, and so great the change of officers from wounds and death, that it has been impossible for the various commanders to make out the required detailed reports. I have not yet received all the reports of the commanders of the battles around Richmond, nor of those subsequent. As soon as received, I shall endeavor to give a brief narrative of the events.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
R E Lee,
General
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 21, pp. 1113-1114
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 March 12
