Richmond, August 31, 1863.
Lieutenant-General J. Longstreet,
Head-quarters Army of Northern Virginia :
General,--I have wished for several days past to return to the army, but have been detained by the President. He will not listen to my proposition to leave to-morrow. I hope you will use every exertion to prepare the army for offensive operations, and improve the condition of our men and animals. I can see nothing better to be done than to endeavor to bring General Meade out and use our efforts to crush his army while in its present condition.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
R.E. Lee, "General"
Source: Official Records
Commentary
In late August of 1863, General Lee was called to Richmond to, among other things, discuss strategy and the new difficulties brought on by the fall of Vicksburg. During Lee's stay in Richmond, James Longstreet was in command of the Army of Northern Virginia. Following is a letter written to Longstreet suggesting where his efforts should be directed in Lee's absence.
This letter is important in that it was the final influence in Longstreet's mind to make his wishes more forcefully known as to his desire to go West and, hopefully, assist the entire war effort from that quarter.