[First indorsement.] SECRETARY OF WAR: The subject of the within has long since caused me much and anxious reflection. To assemble a small force in the Northern Neck would be worse than useless. The condition of our military affairs does not permit the detachment of a large one from the main body of the army. The veteran regiments of Virginia are entitled to and sorely need recruits. The remedy, therefore, has seemed to me to be the quasi organization of all non-conscripts as minute-men for home defense. Each should remain at his residence with his arms ready, and in an emergency all should turn out, meet at appointed rendezvous to repel raiders, and execute a summary punishment on such criminals as are described in this memorial. The duty having been performed, the defenders would return to their homes and leave behind them nothing against [which] an army governed by the usages of war could operate. With due caution and secrecy spies would be unable to discover by whom the resistance had been made. Please reply to the committee and assure them of my deep sympathy and of the sorrow I feel at my inability to give them ample protection. J. D. [Second indorsement.] A better reply cannot be given than to transmit the above indorsement. Acknowledge the letter and that it has been referred to me for answer, and give the above with assurance likewise that the Department fully sympathizes and is doing all in its power to organize reserves and supply arms, &c., for home defense. J. A. S., Secretary. GENERAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, * No. 57. * Richmond, June 30, 1861. XI. The reserve forces of the several States are under the permanent direction and control of the general officers respectively assigned to their command by the President. Department, district, and other commanders of the active forces may have, for the time being, the direction of the military movements of such reserve forces as may be turned over to their command for service, but are forbidden to disband those forces, or otherwise interfere with any matters pertaining to their permanent organization, except with the concurrence of the general commanding the reserves of a State. XII. When no longer required for service with the active forces the reserve troops will be immediately turned over to the commander of reserves for the State. XIII. General officers commanding reserves for the several States will be held responsible in all matters relating to the efficiency and permanent organization of their commands. XIV. Leaves of absence and furloughs will not be granted to reserve troops except by the general commanding the reserves for the States to which they belong, or in accordance with regulations prescribed in his orders; but leaves of absence and furloughs will not be granted to reserve forces serving in the field, if in the judgment of department commanders it be incompatible with the public safety to grant them. By order: S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Abstract from field return of the Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E. Lee commanding, for June 30, 1864; headquarters Petersburg, Va. The Second Army Corps, Lieutenant-General Early commanding, is temporarily detached. a Since this return was completed a return from General Hampton has been received, showing 2,888 "enlisted men present for duty;" 3,570 "aggregate present," and 8,967 "aggregate present and absent. Dearing's brigade is not reported. cOnly three battalions reported. Abstract from monthly return of the Artillery, Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia, Col. H. P. Jones commanding, for June 30, 1864; headquarters near Petersbury, Va. 97 105 3 67 70 7 •167 181 2432 6 6 102 107 47 51 9 155 164 Pegram's, Kelly's, and Webb's batteries on detached service-the first with Moseley's battalion, the second at Kinston, N. C., the third at Weldon, N. C. HEADQUARTERS, Hon. J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War: Near Petersburg, July 1, 1864. General Beauregard reports a feeble demonstration made by enemy on a portion of General Johnson's lines about 5 p. m. yesterday. His skirmishers, supported by two lines of troops, drove in our skirmishers, which were re-established at dark. In the various conflicts with the enemy's cavalry in their late expedition against the railroads, besides their killed and wounded left on the field, over 1,000 prisoners, 13 pieces of artillery, 30 wagons and ambulances, many small-arms, horses, ordnance stores, and several hundred negroes taken from the planta tions on their route were captured. R. E. LEE, General. 6 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond: July 1, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to call your attention to the importance of keeping open the Virginia Central Railroad, not only to bring supplies from the Valley but to facilitate military operations in that quarter. I am informed that the road is now completed to Staunton, or within a short distance of it. I respectfully recommend that a force of reserves be placed at the bridge over the South Anna and also those over the Rivanna River. There is a company of cavalry commanded by a Capt. Anderson, in Hanover, which might be employed in scouting to give notice of the approach of danger. So far as I know there is no enemy north of the James who would be likely to attempt to break the road, unless there be some cavalry on the Peninsula. There is a small body of cavalry near Fairfax Court-House. I think the presence of the reserves would deter the enemy from sending small parties to break the road, and if they detach troops from their main body for the purpose it will enable us to re-enforce the guard. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General. General R. E. LÉE: WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 1st instant, calling my special attention to the importance of guarding the line of the Central Railroad. I have lost no time in conferring with General Kemper, in command of the reserves, and have arranged with him as far as the resources of his command will allow promptly to carry out your suggestions. The cavalry company in Hanover had already been ordered to assemble for the purpose you indicated, and companies of the reserves will be placed at the bridges designated by you. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War. General R. E. LEE: WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., GENERAL: I presume the large number of slaves lately recaptured by our troops from the marauding cavalry of the enemy are more burdensome than useful in Petersburg or with the army, and, besides, are difficult of reclamation by the owners, most of whom will, probably, be averse to visiting Petersburg at this time. On the other hand, the active laborers among them could be made very useful assistants in the repair of the Danville road, and all could be more readily supplied and placed within reach of their owners by being sent up on the line of the road. I therefore take the liberty of suggesting such disposition of all, but especially of the laborers, and to avoid delay, in case of your ap proval, send over Lieut. L. A. Dade, of the Engineer Corps, to arrange for their transport and to take charge of them. I am anxious, also, to command more wagons and ambulances on the road, both to carry the mail and establish a portage for grain over the break in the road, and to haul sills, &c., for repairs. I can, probably, command from the more distant counties (where threshing may be delayed) temporarily more mules and horses than suitable wagons. As many wagons and ambulances were captured from the enemy, I hope you will be able to spare a considerable number of them, and they, likewise, may be placed, if you approve, under the charge of Lieutenant Dade. The signal retri bution visited on these cavalry marauders has caused the liveliest satisfaction, and will be received by the whole country with admiration and grateful appreciation of the skill and valor which have accomplished it. JAMES A. SEDDON, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, [General BEAUREGARD:] In GENERAL: Your note of 29th ultimo has just been received. reply to your letter of the 28th I expressed the opinion that General Whiting was too weak. I think it would be best, therefore, to let the two battalions of which you speak remain at Wilmington. With regard to Goldsborough, it is just as important to preserve the connection there as at Weldon. I do not know what force is there, or what force the enemy has at New Berne, though I think the latter is small. You must judge yourself of the necessity of re-enforcing any particular point in the line of connection. Commanding officers at posts should keep themselves thoroughly advised of the strength and movements of any portion of the enemy's forces which may be near enough to threaten them, and to avoid false alarms and exaggerated estimates of such forces, keeping at the same time constantly on the alert, and strengthening their positions at the various bridges and other points of importance in every practicable way. Very respectfully, &c., R. E. LEE, General. XXXII. Capt. W. H. Whitner, assistant adjutant-general, will report to General R. E. Lee, commanding Army of Northern Virginia, for assignment to duty with Maj. Gen. B. R. Johnson. ** * * By command of the Secretary of War: SAML. W. MELTON, SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF N. C. AND SOUTH. VA., II. Maj. R. C. M. Page, artillery, Provisional Army, C. S., having reported pursuant to paragraph V, Special Orders, No. 153, headquar ters Department of Northern Virginia, is assigned to the command of Moseley's battalion artillery. |