Abstract from report of the troops of the Department of North Carolina, commanded by Major General T. H. Holmes, Goldsborough, N. C., March 31, 1862.

Present of duty.

Troops Officers Men Effective

total

Infantry 921 15,909 16,436

Cavalry 70 1,364 1,400

Artillery 114 1,994 2,088

Grand total 1,105 19,267 19,924

Artillery

Troops Aggregate Aggregat Horses Pieces

present e

present

and

absent

Infantry 19,848 23,574 -- --

Cavalry 1,581 1,833 -- --

Artillery 2,601 3,167 481 142

Grand total 24,030 28,574 481 142

HEADQUARTERS, Richmond, Va., April 1, 1862.

General T. H. HOLMES,
Commanding Department of North Carolina:

GENERAL: From your telegraphic dispatches I learn that the enemy apparently is making no forward movement, nor do you appear to be able to discover that he is making any preparations with that view. That lands me to fear that while making demonstrations in that quarter and on the Peninsula against General Magruder, his real object is to attack Norfolk from both sides, with the force now collecting at Hampton and neighborhood on one side and that under General Burnside on the other. I desire you, therefore, to watch the movements of the restraining his operations you may readily re-enforce any point attacked. If Wilmington should be the point, you must concentrate there. If Norfolk, it will be necessary to move all your disposable force there.

With this view it might be well to hold a portion of your troops at Weldon. This will depend upon your facilities for moving, and of this you may judge.

I am, with high respect, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS, Goldsborough, April 1, 1862.

General R. E. LEE,

Commanding Army:

GENERAL: From information received from a Federal prisoner and from Dr. West, C. S. P. A., just returned from New Berne, I have very little doubt that General Burnside will confine his present operations to the coast from New Berne to Fort Macon. Hoping to reduce the latter, he is fortifying New Berne, and has divided his forces between the two places. I am convinced that none of his command here left the coast, and every appearance indicates that he is striving to conciliate the people and designs a permanent possession. His transports have been sent off, and it may be they have gone for re-enforcements, or rather for troops with whom to make an expedi-