Libby Prison April 17 1865
Genl R. E. Lee
Genl
I am under the necessity of asking your advice upon a subject which I feel very much interested in. There are several Hundred men here belonging to the army of northern Virginia. They are fed once each day, just enough to sustain life. Numbers of them are taking the oath, some have friends in they city who feed them. The balance suffer. Cant you do some thing to relieve us. If not what ought we to do under the circumstances. We can not stand our treatment long, advise us what is best for us, and what is our duty under the circumstances.
I am Genl with high Regard
Your obt svt
Jas M. Noonan
Source: Checked against original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 590, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodard, 2018 March 27
