Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
July 9, 1864
Lieut. Gen. R. S. Ewell, Commanding:
General: Your note of July 7, in reply to my communication of 4th instant, has been received. The object of my inquiries in that note was to know whether you could not make some arrangement with the Richmond defense troops under your command to hold the front lines near Deep Bottom, so that the brigades detached from this army to Chaffin’s farm might be held in reserve, in order that they may be moved readily and rapidly to any part of our line which may be threatened. At this distance I cannot judge what should be the disposition of your troops, and wish to learn from you as soon as possible whether you can make the arrangement desired.
Very respectfully,
R E Lee,
General
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 40, Part 3, pp. 755-756
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 January 4
