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

forming the eastern boundary of these counties, to be seized and kept under direct guard, in a place of entire security. You will visit these rivers and the exported places of these counties in person, and, after communicating with the commanding officers of the volunteers and militia in service in these counties, you will make such disposition of their forces and give such orders as in your judgment the security of the property of the citizens and the defense of the coast may demand, and you will make a report to me of what you have done with the least possible delay. And you will also recommend anything necessary for its defense that you may not have power to execute. You will consult with the commanding officers of the troops in Middlesex also, and make a report of the state of defenses in that county. You will communicate to all these commanding officers the inclosed order.

By command of General Magruder;

J. M. JONES, Assistant Adjutant-General.

ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, Gosport NAVY-YARD, Norfolk, Va., September 16, 1861.

Brigadier-General HUGER:

GENERAL: I am directed by the commandant to apprise you that already fifteen of the guns laid aside for the defenses of Norfolk and its vicinity, on the requisition of the engineer, approved by yourself, have been otherwise disposed of by the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, and to suggest the propriety of the speedy removal of the remainder to the custody of your own ordnance officers. The commandant also recommends the garrisoning of the outworks for the defense of this yard between Paradise and Scotch Creeks, previous to and preparatory to laying the platforms and mounting the guns, which would not be safe without a guard. There is as yet but one magazine among them all. Some definite understanding between the engineer and myself as to the kind of carriages to be used there is desirable. Your twelve last 24-pounder shells from Richmond will be ready to-day, with navy fuses.

Respectfully, &c.,

A. B. FAIRFAX, Inspector of Ordnance.

WILLIAMSBURG, September 16, 1861.

General COOPER, Adjutant-General:

Four large steamers passed down to Fort Monroe from Washington just before daylight this morning. Re-enforcements are reported at Newport News this morning. The above must be in addition to thos already reported.

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

FLAG-SHIP MANASSAS, Off Roanoke Island, September 17, 1861.

Brigadier General B. HUGER:

GENERAL: So great is the breadth of Croatan Sound, with a channel of 6 feet near the main-land, 3 miles distant, that I am reluctantly