Petersburg 28 Mar ‘65
My dear Agnes
I recd last night your letter of the 26th & I felt great pleasure at the thought of seeing you & wish I Could enjoy that pleasure. The Meades have more than once proposed to me to bring you to see them & I should like you very much to do so. I do not know that there is any objections on the score you mention, provisions, for every one seems to have a sufficiency of food, but I cannot say what a day may bring forth. I fear you have put off your visit too late. Genl Grant is evidently preparing for something & is marshaling & preparing his troops for some movement, which is not yet disclosed. Yesterday he was collecting troops on his left & this morg it Continues. It would be very dreadful if you should be caught in a battle when the road would have to be used for mil: purposes & you cut off. I think it necessary to inform you that you may be prepared. If you do Come you must let me know by military telegraph that I may send a Conveyance for you at the appointed hour. You must wish a great deal of happiness to Miss Bierne & I wish I could see her & Miss Sally too. I do not like to hear of the latter going to weddings. I fear it is premonitory. Give much love to your mother,sisters & friends
Your affectionate father
R E Lee
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 582, Section 29, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Katie Gibson, 2017 June 29