between us and the landing; saw about 150 men on shore; they are sounding the channel of the Appomattox River in small boats; three more boats at City Point; the place where they are landing is Royal's farm.

G. W. BALDWIN,

Second Lieutenant.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

Numbers 176.
July 17, 1863.

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II. The organization of engineer troops under General Orders, Numbers 66, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, Richmond, Va., of 22nd May, 1863, * is for the present suspended in this army, and any men that may have been selected under the same will be returned to their companies.

The above order is not intended to affect the pioneer companies heretofore organized in the divisions of this army.

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By order of General R. E. Lee:

W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
July 18, 1863.

Major-General STUART,

Commanding Cavalry:

GENERAL: Your note of this date is received.

Let me know, as soon as you can, the truth of the report that the enemy has occupied Snicker's Gap in force and is advancing upon Ashby's Gap. This may oblige us to move up the Valley. I do not understand where Jones' pickets are, but the Sixth [Virginia Cavalry] Regiment, which you state are at Ashby's Gap and cannot recross the river, will have to retire southward along the mountain, if pressed, checking the enemy all they can. I wish you to endeavor to ascertain the exact condition of things-whether this force is simply cavalry, or whether the enemy's infantry is moving in that direction.

I am, respectfully and truly obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WESTERN VIRGINIA,
Dublin, July 18, 1863.

His Excellency President JEFFERSON DAVIS,

Richmond, Va.:

Pardon me for addressing you directly. The Secretary of War informs me that you desired my presence in the Valley, but thought I should not leave my department if threatened with serious invasion. It is very seriously threatened. They have driven in my troops from Raleigh to Mercer Court-House, and a cavalry raid, 1, 300

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*See Series I, Vol. XXV, Part II, p. 817.

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