This table, which must be understood as giving the returns at the close of the months specified, is believed to be a correct transcript so far as it gives the actual monthly returns which were made, but it is manifestly wrong where the estimates of the writer of the letter are given in lieu of the returns—which estimates are put in brackets in the letter itself. This is especially the case in regard to the estimates for the months of June and August, 1862, and for the month of June, 1863. The reason that the returns exist for those months is to be found in the fact that, at the end of June, 1862, and for some day into July, General Lee's army was engaged in battle with, or in pursuit of, McClellan's army; that at the end of August of the same year his army was engaged with Pope's army and immediately thereafter moved into Maryland; and that at the end of June, 1863, his army was in Pennsylvania, where it engaged Meade's army at Gettysburg on the 1st, 2d and 3d of July. This condition of things at the end of those months prevented the regular monthly returns from being made; and the writer of the letter has taken advantage of the fact to greatly magnify General Lee's forces. The greatest force which the latter ever commanded in the field was that with which he attacked McClellan in June, 1862, and his entire effective force at that time did not exceed 80,000, if it reached that figure—including Jackson's command, and the troops held for the immediate defence of Richmond and at Drury's and Chaffin's Bluffs. The returns for July, 1862, show the strength of his army at the time of the movement against Pope; and all of that was not carried into the field against the latter, as at least two divisions were left to watch McClellan's army at Harrison's landing, and did not get up until after Pope had been driven into the fortifications around Washington. The returns for May, 1863, fully cover the whole force with which the movement was made into Pennsylvania, as no fresh troops arrived after these returns were made, and that movement began on the 4th of June.
It must not be understood that the returns contained in the foregoing table, even where correct, show the actual force which General Lee carried into the field. These returns are for "The Department of Northern Virginia," embracing all the troops north of James river, including those usually kept in the Valley, so that, in estimating the actual strength of the "Army of Northern Virginia," this allowance must be made. Referring now to the returns bearing on the question of General Lee's strength at the opening of the campaign in the Wilderness, it will be seen that, at the end
