Details
LEE, ROBERT E., General, C.S.A. Letter signed ("R E Lee Genl") to Colonel [John D.] Imboden, "Hd. Qrs. Near Williamsport" (Maryland), 13 July 1863. One page, 4to, two tiny holes at fold intersections, otherwise very good.
PROTECTING THE CONFEDERATE ARMY'S RETREAT FROM GETTYSBURG
A very fine military letter (written while most of the defeated Confederate army remained on the north side of the Potomac), ordering Imboden to protect the retreating Confederate army, its supplies and its columns of wounded while it prepares to recross the river into Virginia. "From information that I have received, I think it probable that a force of the enemy is in the vicinity of Cherry Creek on the Virginia side of the [Potomac] river. I therefore desire you to cross the Potomac, and proceed to that vicinity, ascertain the truth of the report, do all in your power to repress the advance of the enemy, and to protect our trains passing on towards Winchester. It will be necessary for you to be very active, and always on the alert, and I shall rely upon your vigilance and energy to give confidence and security to our trains and people. Gen. W.E. {"Grumble"] Jones with his brigade is on the east side of Martinsburg [now in West Virginia], so that you will have support in that direction. Before leaving, you must see Gen. [J.E.B.] Stuart, and let your pickets be relieved by such troops as he may designate for duty in Clear Spring Valley. I have sent to Gen. Stuart to know whether he can relieve you...." A postscript adds the information that, "Gen. Stuart's Hd. Qrs. are on the turnpike from Hagerstown to Clear Spring, on the north of the road, near a barn, half a mile West of where our line crosses the road...." Lee's orders to J.E.B. Stuart of the same date are in Wartime Papers, no.519, but the present dispatch appears to be unpublished.
PROTECTING THE CONFEDERATE ARMY'S RETREAT FROM GETTYSBURG
A very fine military letter (written while most of the defeated Confederate army remained on the north side of the Potomac), ordering Imboden to protect the retreating Confederate army, its supplies and its columns of wounded while it prepares to recross the river into Virginia. "From information that I have received, I think it probable that a force of the enemy is in the vicinity of Cherry Creek on the Virginia side of the [Potomac] river. I therefore desire you to cross the Potomac, and proceed to that vicinity, ascertain the truth of the report, do all in your power to repress the advance of the enemy, and to protect our trains passing on towards Winchester. It will be necessary for you to be very active, and always on the alert, and I shall rely upon your vigilance and energy to give confidence and security to our trains and people. Gen. W.E. {"Grumble"] Jones with his brigade is on the east side of Martinsburg [now in West Virginia], so that you will have support in that direction. Before leaving, you must see Gen. [J.E.B.] Stuart, and let your pickets be relieved by such troops as he may designate for duty in Clear Spring Valley. I have sent to Gen. Stuart to know whether he can relieve you...." A postscript adds the information that, "Gen. Stuart's Hd. Qrs. are on the turnpike from Hagerstown to Clear Spring, on the north of the road, near a barn, half a mile West of where our line crosses the road...." Lee's orders to J.E.B. Stuart of the same date are in Wartime Papers, no.519, but the present dispatch appears to be unpublished.