in these mountains, and want of provisions for the men prevented the
vigorous pursuit and following up that was proper. We can only get
up provisions from day to day--which paralyses our operations.

"I am sorry, as you say, that the movements of the armies cannot keep
pace with the expectations of the editors of papers. I know they
can regulate matters satisfactorily to themselves on paper. I wish
they could do so in the field. No one wishes them more success than
I do and would be happy to see them have full swing. I hope something
will be done to please them. Give much love to the children and
everybody, and believe me.

"Always yours,

"R. E. Lee."

Colonel Taylor, in his "Four Years with General Lee," says:

"We had now reached the latter days of October. The lateness of the
season and the condition of the roads precluded the idea of earnest,
aggressive operations, and the campaign in western Virginia was
virtually concluded.

"Judged from its results, it must be confessed that this series of
operations was a failure. At its conclusion, a large portion of the
State was in possession of the Federals, including the rich valleys
of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers, and so remained until the close of
the war. For this, however, General Lee cannot reasonably be held
accountable. Disaster had befallen the Confederate arms, and the worst
had been accomplished before he had reached the theatre of operations;