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

SPECIAL ORDERS,} ADJT. AND INSP'R GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 272. } Richmond, Va., December 21, 1861.

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8. That part of North Carolina east of the Chowan River, together with the counties of Washington and Tyrrell, is hereby constituted a military district, under Brigadier-General Wise, and attached to the command of Major-General Huger, commanding the Department of Norfolk.

9. That part of the coast of North Carolina between the above described district and Bogue Inlet will form a separate military district, under Brigadier-General Branch, and the remainder of the coast of North Carolina a district under Brigadier General Joseph R. Anderson. The two last districts will remain, as heretofore, attached to the command of Brigadier-General Gatlin.

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By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS, Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,} HDQRS. ARMY OF THE PENINSULA, Numbers 120. } Yorktown, Va., December 25, 1861.

The major-general commanding desires to announce to the Army of the Peninsula that the troops will winter where they now are. If the enemy attack we will defeat him, and after the victory we will have better quarters at Fort Monroe and Newport News.

By command of Major-General Magruder: [no signature.]

YORKTOWN, December 28, 1861.

General S. COOPER:

SIR: I am informed that negroes can be hired by the year for $100 each, the Governor agent giving bonds, payable at the end of each quarter. I have pressed negroes because the Government Point and 500 for the Peninsula, exclusive of the quartermaster 's department. Without this I am sure the works ordered by the Government and those that in the opinion of the engineer are necessary to secure the works already ordered will not be completed and made safe. I will forward a request of the acting chief engineer to-morrow on this subject; but no time can be lost, as the day of hiring is the 1st of January next. The quartermaster's department alone would require a large number. This plan will not interfere with the farmers, and will be cheaper in the end to the Government. Colonel Randolph and mr. St. John, the formed being chief of artillery and the latter chief engineer here, concur with me in opinion as to the propriety of this course. I beg an answer by telegraph.

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

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding.