troops. Confirmatoryof this information is the fact that there are three distinct wires hence to Alexandria, and no answer can be had from latter office. General Lee is much mortified; admits he was unprepared, having only 600 troops at Alexandria. Colonel Gregg's South Carolina regiment should have been at Manassas Junction last night, also General Bonham. Kershaw leaves to-day. General Lee says he will order another regiment to that post immediately.

D. G. DUNCAN.

[2.]

RICHMOND, May 24, 1861.

L. P. WALKER:

Returns so far received show almost unamious ratification of ordinance secession. Nothing received from Northwest Virginia. Competent judges estimate majority 140,000. General Lee informs me our troops at Alexandria retired in full view of the enemy to Fairfax Station, about ten miles. Principal operator at Alexandria arrived at Manassas.

D. G. DUNCAN.

[2.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE. Numbers 58.
Montgomery, May 24, 1861.

* * * *

IX. The Sixth and Seventh Regiments of Georgia Volunteers will, as soon as they are musteredin at Atlanta on Saturday next, proceed to Richmond Va., and report for duty to Major General R. E. Lee, commanding.

By command of the Secretary of War:

John WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[2.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS VIRGINIA FORCES, Numbers 19.
Richmond, Va., May 24, 1861.

The attention of the mustering officers throughout the State is specially called to the law which requires that soldiers shall be at the lest eighteen years of age when mustered into the service. It is deemd important that this requirement be strictly adhered to. No man under that age will hereafter be received.

By order of Major-General Lee:

R. S. GARNETT.

Adjutant-General.

[2.]

MONTGOMERY, May 24, 1861

General R. E. LEE.

Richmond, Va.:

Is it true that U. S. troops occupy Alexandria?

L. P. WALKER.

[2.]