CHAP. XIII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.

the place and in the prevention of a landing, so far as it may be in your power, leaving a party of dragoons at Mrs. Curtis' farm, to inform you of the landing of any troops on Warwick River while you are at Mulberry Island Point; and in the latter case you will make such a distribution of your troops as will enable you to defend the causeway and approaches from the land side against the troops that may land on the Warwick River. Should, however, you be attacked yourself (while at Mrs. Curtis' farm) by ships seeking to enter the mouth of Warwick River, you will defend the position, if the work is sufficiently thick and strong to protect your men, whom you will keep under cover as far as possible. but if you find the work untenable, you will pack what baggage you can in the wagons with you, in less they be required for the sick and wounded, strike your tents and pack them up in the woods, withdraw your force under cover of the trees, and remain there until the enemy passes up the river. Then you will take position, as before ordered, on Crawford's farm, and make arrangements to defend the causeway across the march and other approaches leading to that place. Should they attempt to land, however, at or near Mrs. Curtis', you will attack them from the woods, by issuing from the woods, and endeavor to cut them to pieces, if not in force much greater than your own, and regardless of the fire of the ships; remembering always that if you cannot prevent their passage up the river or drive them off, you will take position, as before indicated, at Crawford's farm, to defend the approaches from the land side to the work.

Should the enemy engage the battery at Day's Point, you will not quit your post until he succeeds in passing it, when you will also march (let it be done in perfect order), taking your artillery with you in any case. In case of an attack there or anywhere, when you are accompanied by artillery, remember to place your horses and caissons in such a way as best to screen them from the enemy's fire. On the approach of an enemy, send notice to the work on Mulberry Island Point, to Warwick Court-House, to Cockletown, and Yorktown, and by a special message direct to Colonel McLaws, at Williamsburg. In a few days there will be 2,500 troops at Warwick Court-house, and the same number probably at Cockletown. Report the state of your command, the progress of your work, your ability to defense your position, or otherwise; send anything of interest at least every other day.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

RICHMOND, September 5, 1861.

General HUGER, Norfolk, Va.:

Cannot you spare the sailors under your orders for duty on the coast of North Carolina? Send immediate reply.

S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

NORFOLK, September 6, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:

I cannot spare another man. The forces in my front are increasing, and I need two more regiments. I have already sent more men to

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