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

DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, Williamsburg, Va., September 19, 1861.

Colonel WERNER T. JONES, Twenty-first Reg't Virginia Militia, Gloucester Country, Va.:

SIR: Brigadier-General Magruder directs me to inform you that the county of Gloucester is one of those included by special orders of the adjutant-general of the Virginia forces in the department under his orders, and that he considers the militia force called out by you as necessarily forming a part of his command. He instructs me further to direct that you take no steps towards discharging any portion of the militia under your immediate command, and to state also that, in deference to a difference of opinion, no doubt sincerely entertained by you as to your obligations to obey him, he has referred your letter, addressed to Colonel Crump, which will be accompanied by a copy of this communication, to the same headquarters from which he received his instructions. General Magruder directs me to say that he considers the militia called into service by you as efficient auxiliary forces for the accomplishment of the purpose he has in view, and would deprive the country of their services. Should you decide to keep the militia in service, in accordance with the wishes of General Magruder, you will please inform the headquarters at Yorktown as to the date on which you entered into active service, and send the names of the field, staff, and line officers of your command. I am directed by General Magruder to add that it is very desirable to have in service as many troops from the country threatened with invasion as possible, not only from their natural desire to defend their own homes, but because of their more thorough acquaintance with the country. The general, therefore, hopes that your command may be increased, instead of diminished, and that, should he be deprived of your services as an officer in commission, you will nevertheless communicate freely with him on the subject of those public interests which have been intrusted to your charge.

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

GEO. A. MAGRUDER, JR., Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS, Williamsburg, Va., September 19, 1861.

Colonel RANDOLPH, Chief of Ordnance:

SIR: I have the just received your note of the 16th. You are authorized to have the two 9-inch guns mounted on the land defenses at Yorktown transferred to the center battery , and to mount two heavy guns (32-pounders) on the land side in their stead. Your view in regard to the defenses at Yorktown have been again sent to the Navy Department and the Adjutant-General of the Army.

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

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

P. S.-The three heavy 32-pounders, with barbette carriages, from Richmond, are intended for the defense of Ship Point, as that position is considerably inland, and ships are obliged to approach bows on, and, as a large number of troops can be assembled in the immediate vicinity,