OPERATIONS IN N. C. AND S. E. VA. [CHAP.XIII.
number to be assigned to this use, with their carriages, ammunition, implements, &c., with as little delay as possible.
I am, sir, very truly, yours,
J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
P. S.-I have the honor to recommend that Captain Jordan's company of artillery at Jamestown Island be furnished with a light battery, to remain in this department. Seventy rifled field guns are now at Fort Monroe, preparing for the field, as reported to me by intelligent deserters.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PENINSULA, Yorktown, Va., October 8, 1861.
Colonel ANDREW TALCOTT, Richmond, Va.:
It is a matter of great moment that the defenses at Harden's Bluff and Mulberry Point should be as strong as possible. The work at Mulberry Point can contain two more guns; that a Harden's Bluff I have not seen, but Captain Myers, the engineer in charge, informs me that several more guns could be used below. I therefore respectfully invite your attention to it as having a bearing upon my operations below. I think, however, that the attack will probably be made at this place, as the great ships of any size and in any number, his fire being concentrated at a great distance upon any one of our batteries at a time. It is easier for a fleet to succeed at Yorktown than on James River, and the advantages of success here are much greater, since by it all the works on James River would be at once turned. I am pleased, therefore, to learn from Mr. St. John that there is a prospect of our getting rifled guns of large caliber here soon.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
RICHMOND, October 9, 1861.
General R. C. GATLIN, Goldsborough, N. C.:
GENERAL: In reply to your of the 1st instant* I am instructed to say that the assignment of General Hill cannot be changed, nor is it necessary that it should be. The senior officer at Roanoke Island Hill will have supervision of the whole district to which he has been assigned. General Huger has asked to be relieved from the command and supervision of Roanoke Island, as being entirely beyond the limits of his present command at Norfolk, and it was for this reason and the necessity for having a superior officer in that section that General Hill was sent to the North Carolina coast.
I am, respectfully, &c.,
R. H. CHILTON, Assistant Adjutant-General.
P. S.-The light batteries now in North Carolina will remain there.
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*Not found.
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