HEADQUARTERS VIRGINIA FORCES, May 12, 1861

Richmond, Va., May 12, 1861.

Col. T. J. JACKSON, Commanding, &c., Harper’s Ferry, Va.:

COLONEL: I have just received your letter of the 11th instant, by Colonel Bennett. Iam concerned at the feeling evinced in Maryland, and fear it may extend to other points, besides opposite Shepherdstown. It will be necessary, in order to allay it, that you confine yourself to a strictly defensive course. I presume the points occupied by you at Point of Rocks, Berlin, and Shepherdstown are on our side. Iam glad to hear that volunteers are assembling. Over two thousand arms have already been sent to you, and one thousand more have been ordered this evening. If you only expect to receive sufficient volunteers to swell your force to four thousand five hundred men, I do not see how you can require five thousand arms, as you must now have nearly three thousand armed, besides the three thousand arms, above mentioned, ordered to you. We have no rifles or cavalry equipments. The latter may use double-barreled shot-guns and buck-shot, if no better arms can be procured. JI will see to the quartermaster. T fear no field battery can be sent you besides that now preparing. The Fourth Regiment Alabama troops, from Lynchburg, have gone to you, and I have ordered two others from the same point. Ammunition has also been ordered to you. You know our limited resources, and must abstain from all provoeation for attack as long as possible.

Lam, &c., R. E. LEE, Major-General, Commanding.