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

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Relight, N. C., October 25, 1861.

HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War:

SIR: I have received various rumors of large fleets and expeditions fitting out at New York and Fortress Monroe, supposed to be designed for our oust. I will make all preparation in my power to repel any invasion, but my resources are now restricted almost to the militia,and they are underfed, undrilled, and some not yet organized; but with all their imperfections they have been ordered to hold themselves ready with whatever arms and ammunition they have .We feel very defenseless here without arms, and I will not again retreat to you that this has been effected by our generosity to others, but I allude to it in reference to another claim we have on the Confederate of Virginia. We see just over lines in Virginia, near Suffolk, two or three North Carolina regiments, well armed and well drilled, who are not allowed to come to the defense of their homes, and two of them posted remote from any point of attack. This is not a criticism on their military position, but rather a suggestion of anxiety to have their services when we are so seriously threatened.

I understand that the President objects to sending back any troops, lest he should accomplish they very design of the enemy in drawing off forces from the defenses Virginia, but the enemy's designs may change, and finding North Carolina defenseless, may think they can damage the Confederacy as much in North Carolina as in Virginia, and policy as well as experience will prompt the enemy to assail the weakest point. We are threatened with an expedition of 15,000 men. That is the amount of our seaboard army, extended along 400 miles of territory, and at no point can we spare a man, and without the use of arms can't increase it. Our forts might resist their attacks and landing, but out of reach of the forts we cannot concentrates a force of any magnitude. We have now collected in camps about three regiments without arms, and our only reliance is the slow collection of shot-guns and hinting rifles, and it is difficult to buy, because the people are now hugging their arms to their own bosoms for their defense.

Having been fairly notified of the President's policy, I would not press this again except that you may be property apprised of our situation and slender means, with a hope that when a change of policy was discovered on the other side and their demonstrations on our coast became settled invasion, there might be a corresponding change on our side.

Very respectfully,

HENRY T. CLARK.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PENINSULA, Asst. Adj't General 's Office, Yorktown, October 25, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General Confederate Army, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: The quartermaster general of this department has had a draft in his possession for six weeks of $1179,000 (about) for the payment of six or seven regiments under my command, among others the First North Carolina Regiment, whose term of service expires in fourteen or fifteen days. These regiments have not been paid since 30th of June, and the men and officers evince much dissatisfaction. I have been assured by the acting quartermaster here (Captain Bloomfield, assistant