had siege guns, and men to work them, on the cliffs, we might in that way annoy them, and might do some damage to the wooden boats. Against the iron boats, of course, we could do no damage, but if our force was down below, where the gunboats are, they might by their presence deter the negroes from running off, and would prevent the landing of the enemy in boats for the purpose of taking the negroes on board, and in that way save the negroes to our farmers, and at the same time afford them security in their persons, and enable them to save their crops.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. S. LEE,

Commandant.

[P. S.] - I send you the last telegram received. If any more come, I will forward them to you.

The fleet has just moved out of sight, going down the river.

[ANDREW J.] FLANNER,

Sergeant.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Numbers 170.
Richmond, July 18, 1863.

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XIX. The command of Major General R. Ransom [jr.] will consist of the following troops: Jenkins' brigade (temporarily), Cooke's brigade, Ransom's brigade, Baker's Third North Carolina Cavalry, Majors [J. R.] Branch's, [F. J.] Boggs' and [E. F.] Moseley's battalions of artillery, and Captains Ells', Moore's, and Cooper's unattached batteries.

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By command of the Secretary of War;

JNO. WITHERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
July 19, 1863.

Lieutenant General JAMES LONGSTREET,

Commanding Corps:

GENERAL: On reaching Millwood, should nothing occur to arrest your progress or render it advisable for you to cross Berry's Ferry and occupy Ashby's Gap, I request you to proceed next day to Front Royal, cross the mountain at Chester Gap, and take some position at the headquarters of the Rappahannock, in Fauquier or Rappahannock Counties, as you may select. Should you be able to subsist your army in that position by drawing flour in that region of country, and not hear that the enemy is pushing on on the route to Richmond, I desire you will halt there. Should you hear they the enemy is advancing on to Richmond, you will proceed by the most direct route, and place yourself behind the Rapidan. You had better send forward and see what flour you can obtain on your route, until you can come within the reach of the railroad. I have heard that the railroad bridge over the Rapidan has been carried away by the freshet. It was immediately ordered to be rebuilt, but it is probable that you can get nothing by railroad north of the Rapidan Station. Colonel Cole has sent an officer up to New Market and Harrisonburg to load