Lee, Robert E. Extraordinary Civil War-date autograph letter signed, 2 August 1864....

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Lee, Robert E. Extraordinary Civil War-date autograph letter signed, 2 August 1864. Lee, Robert E. Extraordinary Civil War-date autograph letter signed ("R.E. Lee"), 1 page (8 x 10 in.; 203 x 2054 mm.), "Hd Qrs" [Petersburg, Virginia], 2 August 1864. Written to "Genl Beauregard" (Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard). Docketed by Beauregard on the verso. Fine condition. General Lee writes in full: Genl, On visiting the line this morn I learned from Genl. Hill that he occupied last night with Genl. Heth's troops the front formerly held by Genl. Field, but that Genl. [Bushrod] Johnson did not fill the whole space formerly held by him. I understood the arrangement to be that Genl. Heth should assume Field's position & Genl. Johnson his own, & Directed Genl. Hill accordingly. Genl. Hill informs me that Genl. Johnson rested his right about the shoulder of the Front line's retrenchment & refused to extend further South. He had therefore to retain a portion of Mahone's division in the interval between Genls. Johnson & Heth till daylight this morning when he relieved it with some of Heth's troops in reserve. I request that you will direct Genl. Johnson to extend his right to the point formerly occupied by him. Should there be any doubt to this point that you send a Staff officer with one of Genl. Hills to designate it. Most respy your Obt. Servt. R.E. Lee Genl. General Beauregard has docketed on the verso: Near Petersburg Va., August 2, 1964, Resply referenced to Maj Genl Johnson for his information & action - he will also inform there Hd Qrs why the order to re-occupy his former position i.e. to the left of Field's former position was not complied with. G.T. Beauregard General. An excellent letter from Robert E. Lee written just three days following the Battle of the Crater, ordering troops to fill the gaps in his lines caused by the huge explosion.