HDQRS. Major General Commanding FORCES IN NORTFOLK HARBOR,
Nortfolk, Va., April 26, 1861.

Major General ROBERT E. LEE,

Commanding Land and Naval Forces of Virginia,

Headquarters, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: Inclosed I send you a copy of my correspondence with Flag-Officer G. J. Pendergrast, of the U. S. Navy, in reference to subjects therein disclosed. I send also a copy of the conversation between him and the bearers of the flag of truce.

By order of Walter Gwynn, major-general, commanding forces in Nortfolk Harbor:

SAML. WATTS,

Aide-de-Camp.

[Inclosure Numbers 1.]

U. S. FLAG-SHIP CUMBERLAND,

Off Fortress Monroe, Va., April 25, 1861.

Major General WALTER GWYNN,

Commanding Forces in Nortfolk Harbor:

SIR: Your letter, under date of April 25, 1861, inclosing a communication from Colonel J. Dimick, was this moment handed me by Captain Jones, one of your aides, under a flag of truce. In reply to your communication I have to say that the schooner George M. Smith was seen with a signal of distress flying and a boat was immediately dispatched to her relief, when the steam-tug Young America was seen coming direct toward her. Thinking that the boat would not be able to bring her to a gun was fired from the ship, which had the desired effect. The said schooner was loaded with contraband of war, and was accordingly ordered under the protection of the fort, and in connection with the steam-tug Young America becomes the property of the United States Government by my order.

G. J. PENDERGRAST,

Flag-Officer, Commander-in-Chief Home Squadron.

[Inclosure Numbers 2.]

HDQRS. Major General Commanding FORCES IN NORTFOLK HARBOR,
Nortfolk, Va., April 25, 1861.

His Exellency JOHN LETCHER,

Governor of the State of Virginia:

SIR: I herewith inclose, you will find, first, a communication from me to my aide, Captain Catesby ap R. Jones; second, a communication from me to Colonel J. Dimick; third Colonel Dimick's reply; fourth, Captain Catesby ap R. Jones' report to me, I have just sent my aides, Captain C. ap R. Jones, Colonel Tazewell Taylor, and Colonel Harrison Robertson, under a flag of truce, with a communication to Flag-Officer G. J. Pendergrast, a copy of which I herewith inclose. As soon as his answer is received a copy of it will be transmitted to you.

WALTER GWYNN,

Major-General, Commanding Forces in Nortfolk Harbor.

[Sub-inclosure Numbers 1.]

HDQRS. Major General Commanding FORCES IN NORTFOLK HARBOR,
Nortfolk, Va., April 24, 1861.

Captain CATESBY AP R. JONES,

Of the Virginia State Navy and Aide-de-Camp:

SIR: You will be pleased to ascertain and report to me the circumstances under which the steam-tug Young America left this harbor this morning.