OPERATIONS IN N. C. AND S. E. VA. [CHAP. XIII.

all the force I have to spare, with two pieces of artillery. This force will be encamped there permanently, unless otherwise ordered by yourself. I know that there is great objection to separating so small a command as mine, but these people, who have taken the oath of allegiance, must be protected, though at the cost of every life under my command. What may not be said of a government which is took weak or unwilling to protect it own loyal subjects against its own rebels?

The inclosed outline will give you an idea of how the rebels are situated and the location of their batteries, drawn from information which I am quite sure must be correct.

I hope you will send me at least 1,000 men within the next four or five days, and one or two rifled guns, if you have them to spare. I should prefer if possible that you send me no Germans.

Trusting that the Government may soon become alive to the fact that Roanoke Island is a point of some importance, I remain, most faithfully, your obedient servant,

RUSH C. HAWKINS, Colonel Ninth Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, Commanding Post.

GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, Numbers 21.} Fort Monroe, Va., October 5, 1861.

Brigadier General Jos. K. F. Mansfield will proceed to Hatters Inlet in the steamer Spaulding, which leaves here for that place to-day. Upon his arrival General Mansfield will assume command and make such disposition of the forces as may be necessary for the defense of the place.

He will make a report to these headquarters by return of steamer.

By command of Major-General Wool:

WM. D. WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, Fort Monroe, Va., October 6, 1861.

Lieutenant General WINFIELD SCOTT, Genera-in-Chief:

GENERAL: Permit me to call your earnest attention to the condition of this most important position in the possession of the Federal Government. You made the remark when I conversed with you on the subject that the loss of Fort Monroe would be the loss of the Union. I mentioned to you that I had not more than enough of artillerists to man ten guns. I also mentioned the few men detained of the four companies recently ordered to Washington were necessary to aid in instructing volunteers for artillery service.

I also mentioned to you that Newport News was threatened by the Confederates, in order to aid in getting to sea two steamers in James River, and also the Merrimac at Norfolk. This ship is constructed to resists cannot shot. I have this morning seen the flag-officer in the Roads (Goldsborough), who more than confirms all that to have said on the subject, and that it is settled that an attempt will be very soon made to get these vessels to sea. In order to facilitate this movement an attempt will beamed to get possession of Newport News. We have guns, but not artillerists sufficient to man them, at Newport News. I hope you will at once send back the four companies of artillery recently sent to Washington. If you do not send us these, or some other companies of artillery to supply their places, I trust you will not hold me