Hdqrs. 23, ApI. '64. Mr. President ~Notwithstanding the numerous reports reed. of the 11th & 12th Corps having Come East, I do not think it certain. I have had very direct intelligence of the passage of the 9th Corps over the B.&O. R.R., about the last of March & first of April, & of the transporation of troops from the West to the East Since, but I J annot identify any particular Corps, so many numbers are given. ) The 11th & 12th, now 20th, may have passed over the Penn­sylvania routes, but from an order reported in the Chattanooga paper of the 6th ApI. it would seem that that Corps was then in Tennessee. I do not think it has joined the Army of the Potomac. Two Corps are said to be with Burnside, & the 20th may be one. I have sent a man there to see. There has been some movement of the troops on the line of the B.&O. R.R. recently. They have gone Westward, Some report to New Creek, others to Grafton.~erill himself with his Cavl. & some infy. marched on the road to Rmnney. His destination is probably Petersburg, whence he may make another expedition. Only one regt. of Infy.& two Squadrons of Cavl. are said to be at Harpers ferry & a sufficient garrison at Martinsburg. Their picket line is drawn close to the R.R. I have warned Genls. Breckinridge & Imboden. I am very anxious to get Hoke & J,ohnston's brigades back. Their divisions, Early's and Rodes are much weakened by their absence:) I am holding Longstreet for the present near Cobham till his troops shall all .arrive, & until I can ascertain where he will be most required. With great respect your obt. Servt. R. E. LEE. Genl. His Excl. Jeffn. Davis Pres: c. states.