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

HEADQUARTERS, Young's Farm, August 14, 1861.

A. T. BLEDSOE, Esq., Chief of the Bureau of War, Richmond, Va.:

MY DEAR SIR: This will be handed you by the late minister to one of the South American States, the HonorableMr. Wheeler, of North Carolina, who has spent a night with us.

In one hour the enemy can land 20,000 men if he pleases at this point, mouth of Warwick River, 12 miles from newport News, and if I can have the Quartermaster-General to send me thirty canal-boats, loaded with sand or stone, I can defend this position and a line from it across the Peninsula, and thus keep the Federal troops below all the time. There are hundreds of canal-boats unemployed which could be got. a steamer is necessary to bring the boats, down and a Navy officer detailed to bring them down and sink them. I have explained the matter to Mr. Wheeler, in hopes that his personal representations may have some effect. Please introduce him to the Secretary of War, and ask the Secretary to give the order to have this done without delay. There is a work going up on Mulberry Island, just above this river, and this work can be taken in rear by the enemy, landing on this river (Warwick River). If these boats are sunk at the mouth of this river, where the channel is 400 feet wide, it will secure the work on Mulberry Island.

Very respectfully and truly, your friend,

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS, Yorktown, Va., August 18, 1861.

Colonel GEORGE DEAS, Assistant Adjutant-General, C. S. Army, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: I have received information that the enemy is in the habit of landing in Matthews County, and that from $5,000 to $8,000 worth of negroes are decoyed off from that country per week. There are troops stationed at Matthews Court-Huse, I am told, but they have not reported to me, and I believe they are very inactive. Some murmurs, I learn, have been made as to their inactivity, and the inhabitants who have written or spoken to me on the subject seem to look to me for protection. Please do me the favor to inform me if I am in command of the troops in Gloucester, Middlesex, and Matthes, or if any of them are under my command. If so, I will call for their reports and give them the necessary orders. The troops at Gloucester Point and West Point are in this department, but I have no instructions as to troops elsewhere in the vicinity and on the their side of York River. I ask, lest I might interfere with the command of some other officer.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Yorktown, Va., August 19, 1861.

Captain PEYTON, Peyton's Battery, Yorktown, Va.:

SIR: Your communication dated August 18, 1861, has been submitted to General Magruder. The following is his decision thereon: