Headquartersarmy of the Potomac,
near Chancellorsville, Va., May 5, 1863. 
To the Commanding Officer,
Confederate Forces, Chancellorsville, Va.

I would most respectfully request the privilege of sending a burial-party on the field of Chancellorsville, to bury the dead, and care for the wounded officers and soldiers of my command.

Very respectfully, etc.,
Joseph Hooker,
Major-General Commanding.

Headquartersarmy of Northern Virginia,
May 6, 1863. 
Major-gen.  J. Hooker,
Commanding Army of the Potomac.

General,—­I have had the honor to receive your letter of yesterday, requesting permission to send a burial-party to attend to your dead and wounded on the battle-field of Chancellorsville.  I regret that their position is such, being immediately within our lines, that the necessities of war forbid my compliance with your request, which, under other circumstances, it would give me pleasure to grant.  I will accord to your dead and wounded the same attention which I bestow upon my own; but, if there is any thing which your medical director here requires which we cannot provide, he shall have my permission to receive from you such medical supplies as you may think proper to furnish.  Consideration for your wounded prompts me to add, that, from what I learn, their comfort would be greatly promoted by additional medical attendance and medical supplies.

I have the honor to be,
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee, General.

Headquartersarmy of the Potomac,
May 6, 1863, 4.30 P.M. 
His excellency A. Lincoln,
President of the United States.

Have this moment returned to camp.  On my way received your telegrams of eleven A.M. and 12.30.  The army had previously re-crossed the river, and was on its return to camp.  As it had none of its trains of supplies with it, I deemed this advisable.  Above, I saw no way of giving the enemy a general battle with the prospect of success which I desire.  Not to exceed three corps, all told, of my troops have been engaged.  For the whole to go in, there is a better place nearer at hand.  Will write you at length to-night.  Am glad to hear that a portion of the cavalry have at length turned up.  One portion did nothing.

JosephHooker, Major-General.

ExecutiveMansion, Washington, D. C.,
May 7, 1863. 
Major-gen.  Hooker.