XIII.

_Longstreet to Lee on guarding the Danville Railroad._

HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS, March 20, 1865.

GENERAL R. E. LEE, _Commanding_:

GENERAL,--I presume that the enemy's next move will be to raid against the Danville Railroad, and think that it would be well if we begin at once to make our arrangements to meet it. In order that we may get the troops that may be necessary to meet such a move, would suggest that we collect all the dismounted men of Generals Fitz Lee, Rosser, and Lomax, and put them behind our strongest lines, and draw out a corps of infantry and hold it in readiness for the raid. General W. H. F. Lee's dismounts might also be used behind our works to great advantage. With a cavalry force of two or three thousand men to hold the enemy in check, I think that our infantry may be able to overtake the raiding column. If we can get a large cavalry force I think that we would surely be able to destroy the raiding force.

I remain your obedient servant, J. LONGSTREET, _Lieutenant-General_.