OPERATIONS IN N. C. AND S. E. VA. [CHAP. XIII.
under my command commit wanton destruction of property or depredations against the inhabitants of the island, for you may be sure that I dislike and hate those plundering and destructions just as much as any one can do, and think them perfectly unworthy a soldier; but wish you had informed me of these facts in a more friendly way then you have done. Your last remark-to fire with artillery against the boats before you received even an answer to your letter-sounds almost offensive, and seems to indicate that I agreed with those disorders.
Allow me, therefore, to explain to you my orders concerning these boats: First. No boat can leave without my permission and an officer to accompany it, and only for a certain purpose.
Second. Every boat returning is searched by the adjutant.
Third. The reasons for dispatching boats are: To get water, boards, and some cooking apparatus, because we have none, and meat, &c., for me and the officers, which we gave receipts for. we have but four barrels of water, and officers as well as men have to cook with salt water. We have no barracks and but few tents, and most of us have to sleep without shelter. Though General Butler told me to make requisitions for all I wanted, I have not done so, because I expect a steamer from Fort Monroe. You see, colonel, till then I cannot stop these expeditions to the island, but if your pickets will watch the, you will greatly oblige me. I remark on every passport for what purpose they are sent. Trespassers please deliver to me, and I shall punish them severely.
I think our condition and responsibility require us to support each other as much as possible in case of an attack of the enemy, as well as in providing for the troops of our command.
MAX WEBER, Colonel, Commanding Fort Hatters.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, Fort Monroe, Va., September 14, 1861.
Brigadier General L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.:
GENERAL: I have this moment received your communication of the 12th instant, directing four artillery companies to Washington-the four companies about 200 strong-leaving one company in fort Monroe,one at Newport News, and one at Hatters Inlet, about 50 strong. We are thus, as you perceive, left with only about 130 regular artillery for Fort Monroe and Newport News, the most important post ont he coast and the key to all the States south. It would appear that you sent the letter by an officer, who transferred it to Captain Stringham's secretary, who staid a night in Baltimore, and consequently delayed its reception one day.
At the same time I received a letter, dated the 12th, from headquarters, ordering Brigadier-General Reynolds, now at this post, to repair to the Army of the Potomac.
I also received a letter from Major-General Dix, containing the names of fifteen persons taken into custody by order of the Government, and "transferred to this post for safe-keeping," with the directions of the Secretary of War "to keep them in close custody, suffering no one to communicate with them, and to convey them at once to fort Monroe, there to remain in close custody until they shall be forwarded to their ultimate destination."
