Headqrs Dept. N.Va
10 Octo. 1862
Genl
I have received your notes of the 9th & 10th inst: & am much obliged to you for the information they contain. When we move, I think you had better take the route by Ft Royal; for if the route is by Ashby's Gap, the army will occupy Perry's Ford, which is quite deep; whereas the route by Front Royal and taking the upper ford will be shallow should the route of the army be by Sandy Hook, the Ft Royal route will of course be most direct for you. Please do what is necessary for the fords & get all the information concerning forage, etc (on either route) that you can-
I am most respecty
Your obt servt
R E Lee
Genl
Brig Genl W. N. Pendleton
Commdy Arty
See the orginal documents here