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

the forts with the four companies of your regiment now with you, who will act both as artillerists and infantry, and Colonel Marigny will have orders form me to fall back promptly to your assistance on the lines in front of Williamsburg, the few troops in that two being marched out for that purpose also. At the same time orders will be given by me for four regiments, with the other six companies of your regiment and Montague's battalion, with four batteries of field artillery, to fall back rapidly on Williamsburg, three of the regiments to proceed directly to Spratley's farm by means of the lighters, which I have had moored near the mouth of College Creek. Of the field batteries, three will be sent rapidly round by the road to Spratley's, whence two of them could be withdrawn for front defense, should the enemy land. As soon as you are perfectly certain that an attack in force is made on the forts below, you will immediately telegraph to Richmond for heavy re-enforcements, one regiment of which will stop at Jamestown Island, and report to Captain Jones, of the Navy, for my instructions.

As soon as you receive this letter you will send to Captain Jones for a navy officer, to teach a detachment from the battalion of your regiment now at Williamsburg, the service of the 42-pounder carronades, and you will detail the officer of your regiment (of whom you spoke to me as being a good artillerist) to teach the rest of the battalion the use of the field pieces which you will have place in position in the redoubts. The men of the battalion will have their small-arms at hand, to act as infantry in case of need, and their services as artillery will be temporary.

You will direct Captain Geddy to keep his company of cavalry together and to drill them twice a day, and particularly to see that his men feed and groom their horses thoroughly.You will please be very sparing of leaves of absence to these men, as it is hard to keep them together.

Regulations of the Army and the orders of this department will be your quite for the management of your post in other respects.

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

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

RICHMOND, October 2, 1861.

HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War:

SIR: In connection with the conversation which I have had the honor to have with you this morning, I beg to state that in my opinion the position west of Nansemond River, which is now under my command, absolutely requires for its safety and that of the surrounding country a re-enforcement of at least 1,500 men, and , if possible, a mounted battery of four field pieces. I beg to state that General Huger, commanding at Norfolk, concurs with me in these opinions.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. C. PEMBERTON, Brigadier-General, P. A. C. S.

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, Richmond, October 3, 1861.

Brigadier General D. H. HILL, Goldsborough, N. C.:

SIR: Your letter of the 29th ultimo, requesting authority to draw directly from Norfolk such ordnance as the navy officer there could