OPERATIONS IN N. C. AND S. E. VA. [CHAP.XIII.
municated to me by a man who represents himself to be a deserter from the frigate Minneto-an officer-and confirmed by letters found in his possession.* Will send him up to Richmond to-morrow.
BENJ. HUGER, Major-General.
YORKTOWN, VA., October 21, 1861.
General COOPER, Adjutant-General:
SIR: I have reliable information that the enemy will attack this place with 30 ships of war and 22 gunboats by sea and 30,000 men by land. My left flank, on the Poquosin River and above, is most unsafe, and I can bring but 80,000 men into the field, leaving out regiment and some artillery in the works at Yorktown and Williamsburg, respectively. I want infantry to beat back the enemy, who will land below Yorktown, on York River. If besieged here, they will be sent to Williamsburg, and could, after the crisis passes, in any case be liberated for other points. I send an express to-day with fuller information, but no time should be lost. The steamer Logan will not be ready until Wednesday. These troops can be sent by Give Wharf or can be landed at Jamestown Island; the former preferable if the enemy be not ascending James River when the steamer passed Jamestown Island, as he may enter both James and York Rivers at the same time. Six thousand men at least are necessary.
J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, &c.
WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, October 22, 1861.
Brigadier General J. R. ANDERSON, Wilmington, N. C.:
SIR: Your letter of October 18 has been referred to the Secretary of the Navy, who informs me that the Uncle Ben is being fitted out with all dispatch by the Navy Department, and that the Mariner will be, if adapted to service. The disposition of these boats, however, will rest with the Navy Department. Respectfully,
J. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War.
RICHMOND, October 23, 1861.
General GATLIN, Goldsborough, N. C.:
We have reason to suspect that the expedition now about to sail from Fort Monroe is intended to land a force of about 15,000 men on your coast a few miles below Fort Macon, with the view of marching on New Berne. Keep a good lookout. Concentrate your forces so as to repel such an attack. As soon as we are satisfied that our suspicions are correct, we will send you re-enforcement.
J. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War.
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*Telegraphed by Cooper to Gatlin same day.
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