65. Original 
HdQrs: 8 Aug ‘62 
Good bye my dear Col: May every happiness & success attend you. I am glad that General Jackson will have the benefit of your presence, & get __?__ your loss to the good Gov-I thank you sincerely for your advice -The latter part is good. I have regretted my inability to see more of the troops -I have never had time to be with them except at their duties -Their parades etc I have been unable to attend. I visit their camps & their lines etc, but I have had to keep them so constantly at work. So much has to be done, & so much is yet to be done, that I have felt I might not to (?)take them from it & engross their time with reviews etc for my gratification -You know how we live in hope, & I have always hoped that a better time was coming. Now I must give you some advice. Take care of yourself, & I know that the great God above us will take care of you. To him I trust you & confidently rely upon his goodness in all that may occur. I pray that you may soon be returned to us, bringing in your footsteps the blessings of peace ­Think sometimes of your friend R E LEE 
Col: S. Basset French 
On the reverse: P.S. Leave the train at Gordonsville -__?__ I when last heard of any Fs near that place 
REL