Lexington, Va,
15 July, 1879
Genl. James Longstreet,
Gainesville, Ga.
Dear Sir:
In answer to your letter of the 9th inst., I will try to give you my recollection of what my father said to me on the subject in question.
In speaking of the fighting in “The Wilderness, regretting that more troops were not up the first day, and explaining the absence of your corps, he went on to say that, after the expedition through Tennessee, by which it had been considerably battered, it had been was placed near Gordonsville to have the use of the two rail-roads in getting ready for the approaching campaign; that when there were evidences of the enemy’s preparing to advance, not wishing to take the 1st Corps from the rail-road until the last moment, he sent you an Engineer officer, well acquainted with the country to be in readiness to guide you to your position at the proper time; that this guide was told that his services were not needed, and sent away; that when the Corps was ordered out, it took the wrong road and reached a point on it not very far across the country from that at which it was wanted; that it went back to Gordonsville, or nearly there, to get on the right road, and consequently did not get in position until the second day; that it was advancing very handsomely when your wound checked the movement. I don’t think the name of the guide was mentioned; if it was, I have forgotten it. I should think it might be obtained from Col. Walter Taylor, or some other officer about army Head Quarters at that time. Am sorry that I am not able to furnish it.
Yr. obdt, Svt
G. W. C. Lee
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Helen M. Taylor, Mss1 T2144 a, Section 6, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2019 May 3
