Civil War fact of the day. On this day in 1864, Lee wrote to North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance, asking him to take special precaution in protecting Wilmington, and praising the Tar Heel troops actions in recent battle. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, August 219, 1864. His Excellency Z. B. VANCE, Governor of North Carolina, Raleigh: GOVERNOR: The recent success of the enemy at Mobile may induce him to attack Wilmington, and the importance of that is such that every effort should be made to defend it, as you are aware the strength of the enemys armies in Virginia and Georgia will prevent the detachment of any part of our forces opposed to them, and our chief reliance for the protection of Wilmington must be the reserves and local troops of the State. I think, if an attack should be made, the enemy will be obliged to employ raw troops to a great extent, and I believe the local and reserve forces, with the present garrison, sufficient to hold the place, if they will come forward freely. I respectfully ask the co-operation of Your Excellency to induce them to do so, and the aid of influence and authority to provide means for the most obstinate defense. I have frequently been called upon to mention the services of North Carolina soldiers in this army, but their gallantry and conduct were never more deserving of admiration than in the engagement at Reams Station, on the 25th instant. The brigades of Generals Cooke, MacRae, and Lane, the last under the command of General Conner, advance through a thick abatis of felled trees, under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, and carried the enemys works with a steady courage that elicited the warm commendation of their corps and division commanders and the admiration of the army. On the same occasion the brigade of General Barringer bore a conspicuous part in the operations of the cavalry which were not less distinguished for boldness and efficiency than those of the infantry. If men who remain in North Carolina share the spirit of those they have sent to the field, as I doubt not they do, her defense may be securely intrusted to their hands. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:00:00 +0000
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