Geo. Deas to Thomas H. Holmes, July 6, 1861

yy Brig. Gen. T. H. HOLMES, Commanding, os HD pea gy Va:

_ GENERAL: General Lee directs me to say that he entirely approves of your views, as expressed in your communication of yesterday, in _Yegard to the erection of a battery at Mathias Point. They coiucide exactly with what he has expressed at various times. To erect a battery there would be for the purpose of preventing the passage of the ‘enemy’s vessels up the Potomac; which, so long as we hold our present sitions above, and can continue to hold them, is a matter of very tle consequence. Nevertheless, the enemy must never be permitted _ to oceupy and fortify the point themselves; and therefore, to prevent this, it will be necessary for you to keep a vigilant eye upon his movets, and to repel any attempt of the kind.

The occupation of Gray’s Point, however, on the Rappahannock, is of great importance, and Colonel Talcott has been directed to proceed there, for the purpose of establishing a battery. The three heavy guns which have gone to Fredericksburg you will send to him, on his requisition to that effect. The general approves of the organization which you have made of the Virginia regiment.

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