Civil War fact of the day. On this day in 1864, Lee wrote to Jefferson Davis about sending reinforcements to Georgia and the movement of Union troops in Virginia. HEADQUARTERS, Turnbulls, December 5, 1864. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President Confederate States, Richmond: Mr. PRESIDENT: I have received the dispatch from General Bragg of the 4th instant, forwarded to me by Mr. B. N. Harrison, stating that there is still time for him to receive any assistance that can be spared. On the 17th ultimo General Whiting informed me that General Bragg had carried with him 2,700 of the best troops from Wilmington. Since that he has ordered to Charleston a regiment of the North Carolina reserves, and I do not think, as far as I can judge, that more troops can be taken with propriety, unless we were certain that all danger of an attack was removed from that point. In addition, I sent General Young with about 400 cavalrymen (without horses) and ordered all those previously sent to Georgia and South Carolina to report to him at Augusta, which Hampton thinks will give him about 800 mounted men, which I thought would strengthen the cavalry very much in that department. General Baker has also gone to General Bragg, so that he will have another good cavalry commander. I fear I can do nothing more under present circumstances. General Early reports that his scouts stated the Sixth Corps had broken camp on the 2nd and taken the cars at Stephensons Depot, said to be going to City Point. From reports received from Longstreet and Ewell last night I think this last night. My last report from scouts on the James was to the 2nd. There had been great activity on the river in transportation of supplies, but no troops had passed in any number since the 17th ultimo. Reports of Early and Longstreet have not yet been corroborated, but the whole preparations of the enemy indicate some movement against us. All we want to resist them is men. With great respect, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 14:17:16 +0000
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