OPERATIONS IN N. C. AND S. E. VA. [CHAP.XIII.
He will confine his attention for the present to the defense of the island and will have the land and water fortifications complete as soon as possible. No expedition for offensive a operations will be undertaken without my sanction and authority.
D. H. HILL, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
YORKTOWN, October 20, 1861.
General COOPER:
SIR: I understand that the enemy are advancing in large force, and that there is a fleet ready to attack us. I urgently request that such troops as can be spared from Richmond may be sent down immediately .
J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding.
YORKTOWN, VA., October 20, 1861.
General COOPER, Adjutant-General C. S. Army:
The rifled cannon for this place are at West Point, but no ammunition with them. Please have it sent instantly.
J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding.
YORKTOWN, October 20, 1861.
General COOPER, Adjutant-General C. S. Army:
I wish this communicated to the Secretary of War immediately:
Sergeant Dougherty, of the Washington Artillery, Captain Smith, at Hamtpon, whom I deem a very intelligent and reliable man, has reached this position from the other side of Poquoasin River, and reports that he was informed late this evening by his farther-in-law, who resides there, that he was just from Fox Hill, and ascertained that some 22 large ships of war had arrived at Old Point within the last week, also 17 gunboats; that he ascertained this fact from men living inside the enemy's pickets; that a movement was contemplated on Yorktown, with 30,000 men by land and a simultaneous movement by water with the large shipping. The gunboats were intended for the Poquosin River. Three deserters attempted to escape yesterday from Colonel Levy's regiment. Two of them were captured by my men; the other, it is supposed, made his way to the enemy. A well-executed map was found of the works at Pensacola on the person of one of them.
Very respectfully,
CHAS. MALLORY, Colonel One hundred and fifteenth Regiment Militia.
I have received a similar letter from General Pemberton. This information may be relied upon. The left flank of my position is open to the enemy. If he lands there, I will be obliged to fall back on Yorktown. Heavy re-enforcements will be necessary to keep him back below my present position and to keep in check a large force which may land on the Poquosin River. The steamer Logan is laid up until Tuesday, broken down. Troops can be sent by James River, to land at Grove Wharf. If the enemy should come up James River, then to land at Jamestown Island. The 10-inch rifled columbiad has not arrived.
J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding.
