each important point, thoroughly informed as to the resources and
necessities of the several commanders of armies in the field, as well
as of the dangers which respectively threatened them, he was enabled
to give them wise counsel, to offer them valuable suggestions, and
to respond to their demands for assistance and support to such extent
as the limited resources of the government would permit. It was in
great measure due to his advice and encouragement that General Magruder
so stoutly and so gallantly held his lines on the Peninsula against
General McClellan until troops could be sent to his relief from General
Johnston's army. I recollect a telegraphic despatch received by
General Lee from General Magruder, in which he stated that a council
of war which he had convened had unanimously determined that his army
should retreat, in reply to which General Lee urged him to maintain
his lines, and to make as bold a front as possible, and encouraged
him with the prospect of being reinforced. No better illustration of
the nature and importance of the duty performed by General Lee, while
in this position, can be given than the following letter--one of a
number of similar import--written by him to General Jackson, the
'rough' or original draft of which is still in my possession:

"'Headquarters, Richmond, Virginia, April 29, 1862.

"'Major-General T. J. Jackson, commanding, etc., Swift Run Gap,
Virginia.

"'General: I have had the honour to receive your letter of yesterday's
date. From the reports that reach me that are entitled to credit,
the force of the enemy opposite Fredericksburg is represented as too
large to admit of any diminution whatever of our army in that vicinity
at present, as it might not only invite an attack on Richmond, but