Today in History:

392 Series I Volume XI-III Serial 14 - Peninsular Campaign Part III

Page 392 THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN, VA. Chapter XXIII.

FREDERICKSBURG, VA., March 22, 1862.

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,

Commanding Department of Northern Virginia:

SIR: I. You will relieve Major-General Holmes of his command, and direct him to report at Richmond for further orders.

II. You will detach two brigades of infantry and two companies of artillery, with orders to report to Major-General Holmes with the least delay at his headquarters in the field.

III. The troops when passing through Richmond will be reported to the Adjutant-General for any instructions which it may be needful to give them at that point.

Very respectfully, yours,

JEFFERSON DAVIS.


SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

No. 83. Rapidan, March 23, 1862.

Under the orders of the President-

I. Major General T. H. Holmes, commanding Aquia District, is relieved from the command of that district, and is assigned to duty temporarily with General Lee, and will report to the Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va., for further orders.

II. Major General G. W. Smith is assigned to the command of the Aquia District, and will take such of his staff with him as he may deem necessary.

III. Brigadier General J. G. Walker, with his brigade and the company of artillery attached, is assigned to duty under Major-General Holmes, and will proceed to Richmond, Va., without delay and report to the Adjutant and Inspector General for further orders.

IV. Brigadier General C. M. Wilcox, with his brigade and company of artillery attached, with the exception of the Virginia regiment [Thirty-eighth Virginia], is assigned to duty with Major-General Holmes, and will report without delay to Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va., for further orders.

By command of General Johnston:

A. P. MASON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.


SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

No. 84. Rapidan, March 23, 1862.

* * * * *

By command of General Johnston:

A. P. MASON,

Assistant Adjutant General.

YORKTOWN, March 24, 1862.

Hon. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH,

Secretary of War:

The enemy are in very great force at Fort Monroe, Newport News,


Page 392 THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN, VA. Chapter XXIII.