mentioned, &c., and a requisition for transportation on the Quartermaster-General.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, &c.,

GEO. W. RANDOLPH,

Major of the Howitzers.

COUNCIL CHAMBER, June 18, 1861.

GENERAL: I send you an extract from the report of General W. H. Richardson, adjutant-general of Virginia, dated April 17, 1861, which shows the number of armed volunteers in Virginia at that time:

Cavalry, armed...........................................3,350

Artillery, armed......................................... 780

Light infantry, armed....................................5,790

Riflemen, armed..........................................2,130

Total armed volunteers..................................12,050

I remain, very respectfully,

FRANCIS H. OFFICE,

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Richmond, June 19, 1861.

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,

Commanding C. S. Forces near Winchester, Va.:

GENERAL: Your letter of 18th instant just received. A large supply of ammunition for your command left here this morning, including eighty thousand percussion caps. An additional supply will be forwarded to you by to-morrow morning's train. Every effort will be made here to support and sustain you to the extent of our means. All that is asked is to be informed promptly of your wants.

The movement of the enemy indicate the importance he attaches to the position of the valley of Virginia, and that he has probably seen the power he would acquire, if left free to do so, by advancing as far as Staunton, and then distributing his force so as to cut off our communication with the West and South, as well as to operate against our Army of the Potomac by movements upon its lines of communication, or attacking upon the reverse, supplying himself at the same time will all the provisions he may acquire in the valley of the Shenandoah, and enabling him to dispense with his long train of transportation from Pennsylvania. Everything should be destroyed which would facilitate his movements through the valley.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

HEADQUARTERS,
Yorktown, Va., June 19, 1861.

Colonel GEORGE DEAS:

SIR: Our vedettes reported this morning the enemy marching in force, via Wawrick Court-House. We being at Bethel, this, if true, would cut us off from Yorktown. I immediately marched for Yorktown, carrying with us such baggage as the wagons which I had (seven in number)