Letter from Robert E. Lee to Francis M. Boykin

Creator:

Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870

Scope and content:

Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter orders Francis M. Boykin to muster into service volunteer companies and to take position near Grafton, West Virginia to protect the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

Hdqtrs Va Forces
Richmond Va
April 29th/61

Major F. M. Boykin
Virg Volunteers
Weston Va.

You are desired to take measures to muster into the service of the State such volunteer companies as may offer their services for the protection of the N. W. portion of the State. Assume the command and take position at or near Grafton unless some other point should offer greater facilities for the command of the Balt. & Ohio R. R. and the branch to Parkersburg. It is not the object to interrupt peaceful travel on the road, or to offer annoyance to citizens pursuing their usual avocations, but to hold the road for the benefit of Maryland and Virgi9nia and to prevent its being used against them. You will therefore endeavor to obtain the cooperation of the Officers of the road and afford them on your part every assistance in your power to attain this end.

You will also endeavor to give quiet and security to the inhabitants of the country.

Major Alonso Loring at Wheeling has been directed, with the volunteer companies under his command, to give protection to the road near its terminus at the Ohio River, and you will place yourself in communications with him and cooperative with him if necessary.

Please state whether a force at Parkersburg will be necessary and what number of companies, and what number of companies can be furnished in that vicinity.

You are requested to report the number of companies, you may muster into the service of the State, their arms, condition vc and your views as to the best means for the accomplishment of the object in view. To enable you to supply any deficiency in arms in the Company's, 200 muskets of the old pattern, flint lock, will be forwarded to Col. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson) the Comdy Officer at Harpers Ferry to your order from whom you must take measures to receive them and convey them in safely to their destination under guard if necessary. I regret that no other arms are at present for issue.
Very Respectfully
R. E. Lee
Maj. Genl Comd

Subjects:

United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate
Correspondence

Names:

Boykin, Francis M. (Francis Marshall), 1837-1906
Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870
Boykin, Francis M. (Francis Marshall), 1837-1906

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