HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, July 19, 1862.

Captain A. L. RIVES, Acting Chief of Engineer Bureau:

CAPTAIN: The point you state you have selected seems to be favorable, provided the approaches to it are not too difficult. Of this you can judge better than myself. If examination of the approaches proves the ground favorable the bridge should be constructed immediately. I am pleased to learn that you are progressing in the arrangement for the bridge at Belle Isle.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,

General.

CHARLESTON, S. C., July 20, 1862.

General S. COOPER, Richmond, Va.:

The receipt of your letter July 15 was acknowledged on 17th by telegraph.

On the 18th De Saussure's and Gadberry's regiments left here.

On the 19th Slaughter's and Benbow's [regiments] and Boyce's field battery.

On the 20th Means' regiment, James' battalion, and Leake's battery will leave here.

On the 20th, probably, Phillips' Legion and Manning's regiment, via Savannah and Branchville.

On the 21st, probably, Holcombe Legion from here.

Major Hampton's four companies of cavalry as soon as their places can be supplied on James Island. The troops are pushed on as fast as transportation can be forwarded. I have ordered no others.

J. C. PEMBERTON,

Major-General, Commanding.

Abstract from Field Return of the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General R. E. Lee, July 20, 1862.

Present for duty.

Aggrega

Aggrega Aggrega te pre-

Troops. Offi Men. te te pre- sent

cers. present. sent and last

absent. field

return.

Department of

North Carolina 747 11,509 15,801 19,868

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in Virginia.

Longstreet's 585 7,929 11,672 20,781 10,393

division.

D. H. Hill's 575 8,998 13,634 21,374 12,048

division.

McLaws' 532 7,188 10,340 14,413 9,331

division.

A. P. Hill's 547 10,104 15,436 23,054 10,506

division.

Anderson's 376 5,760 8,639 13,346 7,550

division.

D. R. Jones' 224 3,500 4,615 6,780 4,119

division.

Whiting's 260 3,600 5,314 8,383 4,110

division.

Stuart's 301 3,740 5,277 6,724 3,475

cavalry.

Pendleton's

and Rhett's 186 3,071 3,964 4,387 3,887

artillery.

Grand total. 4,333 65,399 94,692 139,110 65,419

NOTE ON ORIGINAL RETURN.

Aggregate present July 20 (exclusive of Department of North Carolina) .................................................. 78,891

Aggregate present July 10 (exclusive of Department of North Carolina) .................................................. 65,419

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Increase ................................................... 13,472