OCTOBER 24TH, 1864: In light of the increased difficulty in manning his ships and mounting danger from Union torpedoes in the James River, Flag Officer Mitchell considered withdrawal of his squadron upriver closer to Richmond..
In response to the Flag Officer's request for his views on the subject, General Lee wrote: "If the enemy succeeds in throwing a force to the south bank [of the James River] in rear of general Pickett's lines, it will necessitate not only the withdrawal of General P.'s forces, but also the abandonment of Petersburg and its railroad connections, throwing the whole army back to the defenses of Richmond....
"I fully appreciate the importance of preserving our fleet, and deprecate any unnecessary exposure of it. But you will perceive the magnitude of the service which is thought you can render, and determine whether it is sufficient to justify the risk....
"As I said before, I can forsee no no state of circumstances in which the fleet can render more important aid in the defense of Richmond at present than by guarding the river below Chaffin's Bluff."
--Old B-R'er
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