RICHMOND, VA.,

August 8, 1863.

general RANSOM:

Keep General Whiting advised of your own movements and of everything that may be of interest to him.

respectfully,

A. E. [ELZEY.]

RICHMOND, VA.,

August 8, 1863.

Brigadier-General RANSOM,

Weldon:

In reply to your telegram, just received, I have to say that your brigade is under my command. You will be governed by the instructions you have received from me and General Cooper, and advise General Whiting of the movements you have made.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

ARNOLD ELZEY,

Major-General, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S.,

Richmond, Va., August 9, 1863.

General R. E. LEE,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: I am pleasewd to be able to relieve you from the anxiety mantifested in your letter of the 7th instant, in relation to the due supply of arms for your army. I am informed by the Chief of Ordnance that are at Staunton already, subject to your order, 3,000 arms; that he can command here, subject to your requistion, from 5,000 to 7,000 more, and that he does not apprehend any difficulty in meeting the larger number (10,000) which you expect to require within a month.

I am using all means at the command of the department to increase boath the manufacture and import of arms, and I am always pleased to receive announcements of anticipated deficiecies, that they may be used to stimulate efforts on the part of officers and agents, and assist me in providing for coming need.

Very truly, yours,

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
August 9, 1863.

Brigadier General J. D. IMBODEN,

Commanding Northwestern Virginia Brigade:

GENERAL: Your letter of August 7 has been received.

I hope ere this the people from the lower valley have been able to move up within our lines, with much of their cattle and other property, You will, I hope, give them all the protection you can.