1862 February 26 Head Quarters 52 Regt Tennessee Vol

Head Quarters 52 Regt Gen Vol

Brig Genl D Ruggles

Dr Sir

Yours of this date
rec'd. In answer I have to say that I have
under my command the 52 Ten Regt of which
I am Colonel numbering seven hundred and
sixty men, of which two hundred and sixty
are sick. We have no arms except one
hundred Double barrel shot guns. Capt C. S.
Robertsons Cavalry company numbering one
hundred and forty men, rank & file, armed
with double barrell shot-guns and sabres.
About Two hundred and fifty men of the
51 Ten Regt under command of Lt Col Chester
for whom he has secured about one hundred
common sporting Rifles repaired and cleaned.
They are all stationed at this place.
I send out Capt Robertson Cavalry every few
days to scout the country from Clifton to
Savanah. From scouts returned this evening
I am reliable informed that no Federal Cavalry
has been landed on the Ten River above Clifton
The Gun Boat which was up, passed down
Saturday evening. I have also been sending
guards in the direction of Savanahn by Purdy

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Any suggestions you may make or
commands to give me will be gladly received
and promptly executed. Can you by any
possible means secure for me the musket
or Rifle with bayonet. Very Respectfully
B. J. Lea Col CSA
Comdg.
Henderson Station
Febry 26 1862

Benjamin J. Lee, Colonel of the 52nd Tennessee Infantry, 1822-1894, Tennessee lawyer, eventually appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court

C.S.A. General Daniel Ruggles, 1810-1897, afterwards a farmer and real estate agent in Virginia

MSS 2010