"General: The want of shoes and blankets in this army continues to
cause much suffering and to impair its efficiency. In one regiment
I am informed that there are only fifty men with serviceable shoes,
and a brigade that recently went on picket was compelled to leave
several hundred men in camp, who were unable to bear the exposure of
duty, being destitute of shoes and blankets.... The supply, by running
the blockade, has become so precarious that I think we should turn
our attention chiefly to our own resources, and I should like to be
informed how far the latter can be counted upon.... I trust that no
efforts will be spared to develop our own resources of supply, as a
further dependence upon those from abroad can result in nothing but
increase of suffering and want. I am, with great respect,

"Your obedient servant,

"R. E. Lee, General."

There was at this time a great revival of religion in the army. My
father became much interested in it, and did what he could to promote
in his camps all sacred exercises. Reverend J. W. Jones, in his
"Personal Reminiscences of General R. E. Lee," says:

"General Lee's orders and reports always gratefully recognised 'The
Lord of Hosts' as the 'Giver of Victory,' and expressed an humble
dependence upon and trust in Him.'

All his correspondence shows the same devout feeling.

On August 13, 1863, he issued the following order: