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

I intended to send more men to Hatters, but have withheld them because of my regular troops having been withdrawn to Washington.

I would be much gratified if you would tell me what I am to do with the negro slaves that are almost daily arriving at his post from the interior. Am I to find food and shelter for the women and children, who can do nothing for themselves? Thus far we have been able to employ in various ways most of the adults. It appears to me some positive instructions should be given in regard to what shall be done for the number that will be accumulated in and about this post during the approaching winter. I hope you will give me instructions on this very important subject. Humanity requires that they should be taken care of.

I am now almost without cavalry or artillery. Without both, and particularly the former, no efficient reconnaissances can be made against the rebels.

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

JOHN E. WOOL, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, Fort Monroe, September 18, 1861.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States:

SIR: The bearer of this letter, Colonel Cannon, has been acting on my staff as aide-de-camp for about two weeks. From his ability and opportunity for information, he has become familiar with many important questions relating to this department, and will be able to explain various circumstances connected with it that concern the public service, and for this purpose he goes by my direction to Washington. Among the topics to which I would again respectfully invite your attention through him is the necessity for additional aides, in regard to which I had the honor to address you yesterday. Major Cannon will explain to you the case of Lieutenant Harris, whom you appointed aide-de-camp on my recommendation, yet the appointment is withheld at the ordnance Bureau, as i am informed, to my very serious inconvenience, having no regular officer as an aide.

The state prisoners arrested in Baltimore (the mayor and others) have been here for several days in close custody without any direct authority or instructions from the Government, the only official communication to me on this subject being an extract from a letter addressed to Genera Dix and sent me by the latter. I have written to the Secretary of War in regard to them, but have received no reply. Major Cannon can explain fully their condition, and the difficulty I have in keeping them safely, from the crowded state of the fort, without injury to their health from insufficient air and ventilation. Major Cannon can also explain fully my situation as to the force at my disposal. The regular troops have nearly all been withdrawn to Washington, and about 1,000 men, barely sufficient for the purpose, have been sent to Hatters Inlet from this command, reducing the force at this post, the most important position on the Atlantic coast, to so low a point as to put it out of my power to make any forward movement, and almost invite an attack from the enemy.

It was my intention to have sent more troops to Hatteeras, but in consequence of the reduction above referred to I have been precluded from doing so.