Lee, Fitzhugh, as CSA General

Manuscript document signed ("Fitz Lee"), 5 1/2 pages (9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 251 x 200 mm) on 2 bifolia, written in a neat clerical hand, with a few autograph corrections by Lee, Richmond, 22 April 1865, being his report of the operations of the Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virigina, from 28 March to 9 April 1865, submitted to Lt. Col. W. H. Taylor, Assistant Adjutant General, Army of Northern Virginia, docketed on final page; final page a bit soiled. — accompanied by a contemporary clerical copy of General George E. Pickett's report of the Appomattox Campaign submitted to Lt. Col. W. H. Taylor, 1 May 1865, 8 pages on 2 bifolia.

Fitzhugh Lee's official report on the Appomattox Campaign: "the men very generally dispersed, & rode to their homes; learning that the Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered."

"My Division moved from the position on the left of our lines, on the North side of James river, on the 28th of March, marching to Petersburg & up the South-Side Rail Road. ... The next day moved towards Dinwiddie C.H. via five forks, encountering enemy's Cavalry with success, capturing some prisoners, but ... being deprived of the services of that brave & capable officer; Brig. Genl. W. H. Payne. ... by the order of the Comdg. Genl. took command of all the Cavalry on the 31st of March; Pickett coming up with five small Brigades of Infantry. We attacked the very large force of the enemy's Cavalry commanded by Sheridan, in our front at Five Forks—killed and wounded many, captured over one hundred prisoners. ... our loss was not heavy."  

Lee's report continues in a detailed day-by-day narrative, but notes increasing Confederate losses, including the deaths and severe woundings of vital field officers. The report continues inexorably towards the Battle of Appomattox Court House on 9 April. "Our attack was made about sunrise & the enemy's cavalry quickly driven out of the way, capturing two guns & a number of prisoners; the arrival at this time of two Corps of their Infantry, necessitated the retiring of our lines." The arrival of the Union V Infantry Corps, so laconically described by Fitzhugh Lee, meant that Robert E. Lee's command was surrounded on three sides. The conclusion of Fitz Lee's report makes clear that he could foresee the inevitable result: "Seeing which, and knowing what would be the result, I withdrew the Cavalry, W. H. F. Lee retiring to our rear, & [General Thomas L.] Rosser & [General Thomas Taylor] Munford moving out towards Lynchburg. After getting some distance off the men very generally dispersed, & rode to their homes; learning that the Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered."