I cannot see how
we can operate with our present supplies. Any derangement in their
arrival or disaster to the railroad would render it impossible for me to
keep the army together and might force a retreat into North Carolina.
There is nothing to be had in this section for men or animals. We have
rations for the troops to-day and to-morrow. I hope a new supply arrived
last night, but I have not yet had a report.
Harry had thought long over this letter and he knew from his own
observation its absolute truth. The depleted South was no longer able to
feed its troops well. The abundance of the preceding autumn had quickly
passed, and in winter they were mostly on half rations.
Lee, better than any other man in the whole South, had understood what
lay before them, and his foes both of the battlefield and of the spirit
have long since done him justice. Less than a week before this eve of
mighty events he had written to a young woman in Virginia, a relative:
I dislike to send letters within reach of the enemy, as they might serve,
if captured, to bring distress on others. But you must sometimes cast
your thoughts on the Army of Northern Virginia, and never forget it in
your prayers. It is preparing for a great struggle, but I pray and trust
that the great God, mighty to deliver, will spread over it His Almighty
arms and drive its enemies before it.
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