Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
May 21, 1864 3 p.m.
General: General Early reports that he has swept his front and finds nothing but a line of skirmishers. I have directed General Field to sweep his front, and if he finds enemy gone, to prepare his troops to march and report result to you. I wish you, if he reports enemy gone, to put your troops in motion at once on the route which I have designated to you.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R E Lee
General
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series 1 Vol. 36, Part 3, p. 814
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 May 18
