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

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA FROM AUGUST 1, 1861, TO JANUARY 11, 1862.

UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.

FORT MONROE, August 8, 1861.

Colonel THOMAS A. SCOTT, Assistant Secretary of War:

DEAR SIR: May I ask you if you have overlooked the order signed by the President for the raising of 5,000 troops? I pray you get this thing through for me, and I will be obliged forever and ever. I am losing good daylight, now that the three-months' men are being disbanded. Can you not add this to the many kind courtesies of our friendship?

Truly, yours,

BENJ. F. BUTLER.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, August 8, 1861.

Major-General WOOL, U. S. A., Troy, N. Y.:

It is desirable that you repair to and assume command of the department of which Fort Monroe is the place of headquarters. It is intended to re-enforce that department (recently reduced) for aggressive purposes. Is your health equal to that command? If yes, you will be ordered thither at once. Reply immediately.

WINFIELD SCOTT.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, Fort Monroe, August 11, 1861.

Lieutenant General WINFIELD SCOTT:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report the safe return of an expedition under Lieutenant Crosby, of my command, upon the Eastern Shore, for the purpose of interrupting the commerce between the rebels of Maryland and their brothers in Virginia. I also inclose herewith a copy of a report of a reconnaissance of the position of the enemy, made from a balloon. The enemy have retired part of their forces to Bethel, without making any attack upon Newport News. I have nothing further of interest to report except the reception this morning of an order that Brevet Major-General Wool is directed by the President to take command of the Department of Virginia.

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

BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]

AUGUST 10, 1861.

Major General BENJ. F. BUTLER:

SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 10th of August I made two ascensions, in which I attained an altitude of 3,500 feet, and made observations as follows: About 5 or 6 miles northwest of Hampton I discovered an encampment of the enemy, but owing to the misty state of the atmosphere, caused by the recent rain, I was unable to form a