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

DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, Yorktown, Va., September 23, 1861.

The following indorsement was forwarded to the Secretary of War on the letter from George Minor, Chief of the Bureau. I have acquired myself of my duty only when all the facts in this case are made known to the Secretary of War and President. They are these:

First, the carriages for the naval batteries at Yorktown, under Captain Henderson, are so utterly worthless (being made of pine), that the guns will dismount themselves after a few fires; second, their manner of constructions prevents their being elevated sufficiently to explode a fifteen-second fuse, and therefore their greatest range cannot be attained; third, carriages of a good pattern (barbette of the army) were promised one month ago by the Navy Department , but have not come; and, fourth, the water at the mouth of York River is so deep and ample, that the largest ships, &c., in any number can attack our batteries, and with our present carriages we cannot reach them.

I respectfully request, therefore, that the President, through the Secretary of War, be made acquainted with the exact state of this battery. This request is made with no other object than that he may have an opportunity of forming his own judgment as to the relative importance of the places to which these carriages may be assigned.

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

RICHMOND, September 24, 1861.

Brigadier General J. BARKHEAD MAGRUDER, C. S. A., Yorktown, Va.:

GENERAL: The Secretary of War finds it absolutely necessary to send General D. H. Hill to North Carolina, and desires you to detach and order him to proceed to this point and report for detailed instructions. The Secretary hopes you may temporarily arrange to fill General Hill's place until other general officers to be sent to your command shall report to your for duty.

R. H. CHILTON, Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. COAST DEFENSES OF NORTH CAROLINA, Wilmington, September 24, 1861.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: I am persuaded from all the indications that the enemy design very shortly to land on this coast in force with a view of invasion, and considering the fact that by taking this harbor they will command the Cape Fear River, which penetrates the heart of this State, as well as the railways terminating here, thereby cutting off communication between important points of the country, I know of no point the seizure of which would give them so great advantage. I therefore think it imperative to organize a force here on a much larger scale than seems to have been proposed.

You are aware that the defenses here are divided by the river into two main classes, each which must be nearly self-sustaining. These are again subdivided by the various inlets, islands, and narrow strips of sand bank.

I recommend, as the minimum force with which we may hope to cope successfully with the enemy, 2,000 infantry, two light batteries, and two