Original not in General Lee's handwriting but signed by him.

HdQrs C. S. Armies

18th Febry 1865

Lt Gen U S Grant

Comdg U S Armies,

General,

I have received your letter of the 16th isnt: and have submitted your proposition to release citizens held as prisoners by either party to the Secretary of War.

I shall be glad if some arrangement can be made to relieve such persons from unnecessary suffering.  I have no knowledge of the facts mentioned in the extract from the newspaper, but will direct inquiry to be made.  I gave no order for the arrest of any citizen, and if it be true that those mentioned were taken by any of our forces, I presume they are held as hostages generally for persons of the same class in custody of the Federal Authorities, and not for particular individuals.

Very respectfully

Your obtservt

R E Lee

Genl