HEADQUARTERS ARMIES CONFEDERATE STATES,
Richmond, June 7, 1864.

His Excellency Governor WILLIAM SMITH,

Richmond:

SIR: Your communication of yesterday's date was referred, as I then had the honor to inform you, to His Excellency the President, who decides that it is not designed to keep reserves or local-defense men in the field beyond the necessity to meet which they are called out. Of the degree of necessity the commanding officer there present must generally be the best judge. I shall refer Your Excellency's letter to the commanding generals in our front, and will promptly notify you of their replies.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

BRAXTON BRAGG,

General.

[36 and 37.]

BLUE RIDGE TUNNEL, June 7, 1864.

General BRAXTON BRAGG:

The only organized brigade of infantry I have is commanded by a major. He is inefficient. Please order two brigade commanders here as quickly as possible. They are greatly needed.

J. C. VAUGHN.

[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES CONFEDERATE STATES,
June 7, 1864.

Respectfully referred to General R. E. Lee.

BRAXTON BRAGG,

General.

[Second indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS,
June 7, 1864.

General Breckinridge told to select brigade commanders--none here available. Lieutenant Colonel David T. Chandler is directed to report to him.

[37.]

R. E. LEE.

HEADQUARTERS OF GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE,
Near Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Va., June 7, 1864.

Major General STERLING PRICE,

Commanding District of Arkansas:

MY DEAR GENERAL: Since active operations commenced on the Rapidan and the enemy crossed over, I have been riding with the staff of General Lee, and so passed through the battles of the Wilderness, of Spotsylvania Court-House, and of those since fought here on the line of the Chickahominy. Up to this time our loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners does not exceed 18,000, while that of the enemy in similar respects is not less than 70,000. But both armies have been built up through re-enforcements to their original standard, and other battles have still to be fought equally bloody with the bloodiest. Here on the Chickahominy we occupy McClellan's old line, with this difference, we

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