Robert E. Lee and a piece of Alabama bacon.

   Charles Marshall served on the staff of Robert E. Lee. He was a part of that small military family that surrounded the general. In 1927, Frederick Maurice published the papers of Marshall in a tome entitled An Aide-De-Camp of Lee. In the introduction of this book, is a story of a Confederate soldier writing to Lee regarding rations. According to Marshall, “While the army was on the Rapidan, in the winter of 1863-4, it became necessary, as was often the case, to put the men upon very short rations. Their duty was hard, not only on the outpost during the winter, but in the construction of roads to facilitate communication between the different parts of the army. One day general Lee received a letter from a private soldier informing him of the work he had to do and saying that his rations were hardly sufficient to enable him to undergo the fatigue. He said that if it was absolutely necessary to put him upon such allowance he would make the best of it, but that he and his comrades wanted to know if General Lee was aware that his men were getting so little to eat; he was sure there must be some necessity for it. General Lee did not reply directly to the letter, but issued a general order, in which he informed the soldiers of his efforts on their behalf, and that he could not relieve their privations, but assured them that he was making every exertion to procure sufficient supplies.” (xxiii-xxiv)

   Lee turned around and issued General Order No. 9 on January 22, 1864, saying that he understood everyone was hungry, and he was doing everything in his power to increase rations. Then came the pep talk: “Soldiers! You tread with no unequal step the road by which your fathers marched through suffering, privations, and blood, to independence. Continue to imitate in the future, as you have in the past, their valor in arms, their patient endurance of hardships, their resolve to be free, which no trial could shake, no bribe seduce, no danger appall; and be assured that the just God who rewarded their efforts with success will in His own good time send down His blessings upon yours.” (Official Records 33, 1117)

   But what about that letter? Did some private in the ranks actually write Lee, saying they were hungry? Maybe… On January 24, 1864, Samuel Pickens, 5^th Alabama Infantry, possibly gives us a glimpse of this very story in his diary. An order of thanks from the Confederate Congress was read at dress parade that day, along with a communication from Lee. The latter said that “a man in this Brig. Sent him an anonymous letter with a slice of beef which he said was a days ration for 3 men and asking Gen to keep it till it grew to the proper size… Gen. Battle expressed deep mortification at its being in his Brig. It was evidently some poor dissatisfied fellow.” (Hubbs, Voices from Company D, 213)

   Brigadier General Cullen A Battle’s brigade was composed of five Alabama regiments: 3^rd, 5^th, 6^th, 12^th, and 26^th Alabama Infantry. We’ll probably never know just who sent the letter, but at least we can narrow it down.