would also be of service in organizing our forces in that district, a thing of no little difficulty, but which is much needed. Please let me have your views on this point also, and say whether you can spare General Breckinridge.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General.

SEPTEMBER 17, 1864.

Major-General BRECKINRIDGE:

GENERAL: Let Gordon's division be out on the pike opposite his camp at 3 o'clock, with his ambulances, medical wagons, and one ordnance wagon to a brigade. Let all of his other wagons be parked in rear of Wharton's division until he gets back. I will be gone until day after to-morrow, and I wish you to keep az strict lookout, and keep all officers and men in camp so as to be ready at any moment to meet the enemy.

Respectfully,

J. A. EARLY,

Lieutenant-General.

SEPTEMBER 17, 1864-1 p. m.

Lieutenant-General EARLY:

GENERAL: Your note of this date is just received and will be attended to. Wharton's pickets will compose about half his division, and from extreme right to left will be some six miles. Am I to look to his division alone, or will there be any cavalry in my vicinity, and what artillery will be left?

Respectfully, general,

JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,

Major-General.

General BRECKINRIDGE:

Lieutenant-General Early directs that you keep King's Battalion Artillery. The cavalry pickets will remain as now.

Respectfully,

A. S. PENDLETON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
September 17, 1864.

General R. H. ANDERSON,

Commanding First Corps:

GENERAL: I have been desirous for some time of recalling you to me, but my unwillingness to diminish the force in the Valley has prevented. A victory over Sheridan would materially change the aspect of affairs. I fear General Early's force, without Kershaw's division, would be insufficient. Upon the receipt of this, therefore, should circumstances permit, I wish you would, with your staff, return here and take command of the other divisions of your corps, and direct General