Benjamin F. Butler to E.D. Townsend, June 30, 1861

Colonel TOWNSEND, I cross at daylight to-morrow morning. R. PATTERSON, Major-General, Commanding.

HARRISBURG, Sunday, June 30, 1861. [GENERAL PATTERSON :]

My DEAR GENERAL: On my return from Pittsburgh this mormng I find your note of the 26th instant, informing me of your purpose to cross the river and offer battle to the insurgents, and asking what force I can throw forward upon the Pennsylvania line.

In reply I have to say that the only force (one regiment rifles and one infantry, with a section of artillery) of my command as yet armed and equipped has been pushed forward to the support of Colonel Wallace at Cumberland and for the protection of our border settlers in that direction; the other regiments are without clothing, arms, or equipments still, notwithstanding my efforts to fit them for the field. You will therefore perceive how impossible it will be for me, although I much regret it, to comply with your request.

With great regard, very truly, yours, GEORGE A. MoCALL.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF Virginia, Fort Monroe, July 3, 1861. Lieutenant-General Scott:

Str: I have the honor to report that yesterday my scouts captured an enemy’s picket about five miles from Newport News, and from letters found at their quarters it appears that General Magruder left Yorktown on Tuesday last with the intention of attacking the post at Newport News; that he advanced within three miles of the News without baggage, tents, or trains, and stopped overnight on the road near the site of Little Bethel, and in the midst of a drenching rain. He had with him two regiments of Carolina troops, a regiment of Louisiana zouaves, a howitzer battalion from Richmond, and some two hundred or two hundred and fifty horsemen. After advancing so as to be almost within reach of our pickets at Newport News he changed his course up the James River, and was yesterday encamped at Young’s Mills, between eleven and twelve miles from Newport News, near Mulberry Point.

Acting in consultation with my engineers, I have advanced the two

Massachusetts regiments into the town of Hampton, and directed [them] to extend their pickets as far as New Market Bridge, and to hold the road to Newport News, that being at the corner of the road, seven miles from that post, so as to be ready to act in conjunction with my forces there in case of an attack, and also to hold the peninsula of Blizabeth City County, in the neighborhood of Fort Monroe, thus keeping open communication to Newport News both by land and water. I have further to report the arrest of Colonel Allen, of the First New York Volunteers, under the following state of facts:

There was a wheat field of some twenty-five acres belonging to the Twine estate, owned by a widow and some minor heirs, as I am informed. The occupants had received a written safeguard upon taking the oath of allegiance and giving parole not in any way to aid, counsel, or advise the enemies of the United States. Colonel Allen, against express orders, crossed the creek near Hampton by the police guard there stationed. A small detachment of his men proceeded to the ground, arrested the parties for no other offense, as he states, save that they were getting the wheat, and sent them, six in number, to Fort Monroe and to my headquarters (which was also against orders), and ordered the wheat field to be set on fire, which was done, and the crop consumed. Upon report of these facts by General Pierce in the form of charges against Colonel Allen, and upon other charges affecting his personal habits, substantially verified by evidence, I caused him to be arrested and held for trial. I have caused enlisted men to be punished for the destruction of private property, and I believe this act of Colonel Allen was a most unnecessary, not to say wanton, destruction and waste. The place where it happened was wholly within our control, and if there had been any attempt at an improper use being made of the wheat, it might easily have been brought within our camp and served some good purpose at least. I trust that this action will receive the approbation of the General Commanding, because it has become necessary, in order to prevent such destruction and waste of the property of our enemies even as will disgrace us. y

When I last had the pleasure and honor of an interview with the Lieutenant-General Commanding, I was assured that Major Mackall would be detailed as assistant adjutant-general as soon as he returned from the Pacific coast. Iam now using the services (and necessarily) without compensation of the adjutant of this post. I pray leave to call the attention of the General to this fact, and to ask that Major Mackall, or some assistant adjutant-general, may be detailed here.

I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,