J. A. Early to Langhorne has been instructed to call out and muster into service five, May 11, 1861

GENERAL ORDERS, } HEADQUARTERS,
May 11, 1861.
No. 9. Fredericksburg, Va., May 11, 1861.

I. In conformity with instructions from the ieadcamatens of vig forces, volunteer companies of infantry and riflemen will be received into the service of the State for the period of one year from April 25, 1861, from the counties of Richmond, Northumberland, and Lancaster, preparatory to instruction, at or near the court-houses of the respective counties, or such other points as may be designated; and also companies of volunteers, organized and armed as above specified, will be received in the counties of Essex and Middlesex for the same period of service, for instruction, in the vicinity of Tappahannock and Urbana. Companies of volunteer artillery and cavalry already organized, armed, and equipped according to law will be reported by their captains in person or by mail directly to these headquarters for special instructions.

If. The companies of volunteers presenting themselves are expressly enjoined to conform in every essential particular in their organization, armament, and equipment to the requirements stated in the instructions for mustering volunteers into service, from Inspector-General Baldwin, dated April 30, 1861, for which application may be made directly to the inspector-general of the State or to the inspector at these headquarters. As companies are reported organized by their captains at v these headquarters, or at such other points as may be designated, an 53 R R—VOL II

i A as (aa {ves 834 OPERATIONS IN MD., PA., VA., AND W. VA. (Cnar. x. inspector will be directed at an appointed time to muster them into the service of the State.

III. The policy of the State, as clearly indicated by the proclamation of the governor and the ordinances of the Convention, is to rely mainly on the organized and disciplined volunteer forces, in conjunction with the Provisional Army of Virginia. The readiness with which the people of this department have responded to the call for volunteers induces the hope that, save upon the emergency of actual invasion, the mnilitia will not be called out; but, should that contingency arise before precise instructions are communicated, full reliance will be placed on the bold hearts and stong arms of a united people to make each house a citadel, and every rock and tree positions of defense, thus efficiently aiding the organized forces, by communicating by telegraph and concentrating by railway at the endangered point in:such numbers as to sweep from our borders the insolent invaders. Called to command a border district of Virginia, now threatened with invasion and subjugation by a lawless tyranny, which, over a violated Constitution, would march to conquest and carnage, it is esteemed not less the post of honor than of danger. Brave and loyal men of that district which has given to freedom a Washington, Madison, Monroe, Lee, Mercer, and others, whom, both in camp. and council, the world has recognized as among the noblest defenders of constitutional liberty, you are called upon to rally for the defense of your homes and firesides; your wives and children ; the ashes of your mighty dead; the freedom purchased by your fathers’ blood, and the soil and sovereignty of your proud old Commonwealth. Give force and efficiency to your patriotic ardor by the aid of discipline and organization; substitute prudence and policy for passion, and by your devotion to liberty, regulated by law, vindicate before the nations your claim to exercise the inalienable right of self-government.

Colonel, Provisional Army, Commanding Virginia Forces.

Gloucester Point, Va., May 11, 1861.

Major-General LEE, Commanding Virginia Forces:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that the condition of the defenses at this place has greatly improved since my last communication. Two heavy 9-inch guns have been placed in position at the water battery at the extremity of the point, and we have the means of preventing a landing from boats, as the work and the shore line are protected by the field guns of Captains Cabell and Brown’s batteries. Two additional 9-inch guns have been sent here this morning, and will be placed in battery with all dispatch.

I have directed the quartermaster to erect huts on the most economical plan, for the accommodation of the troops, which work is making much progress, and I hope to be at least able to protect the whole command from the weather by this evening.

Major Page has mustered into the service two companies of infantry, numbering one hundred and fifty-eight men, and one of artillery, numbering ninety men, which is the whole force yet mustered from the counties of King and Queen and Gloucester. Believing it necessary to concentrate as many men as possible here, on the evening of the 7th I ordered here a company of cavalry, and have retained them until this time. I have thought it advisable to direct Major Page to muster this Cuar..IX.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—CONFEDERATE.

troop into service, as the character of the country to be defended renders it necessary to have the co-operation of a small cavalry force to act as scouts and vedettes, the more particularly to give confidence _ to the people along the shores and creeks, who are apprehensive of

forays. This muster has not yet been completed, and, should you regard this force as unnecessary, they can be discharged from service, with but small loss for their support during the limited time they have served.

I would respectfully suggest that a force be stationed at Yorktown and batteries erected there. I understand that Major Ewell is in comi mand of a battalion on that side of the river, and that my command is By limited to this. I have not had any official communication with hin, and desire to be advised of the fact of the extent of his command. I would suggest that his headquarters be established at Yorktown, so if that we could co-operate.

I have, in conclusion, to say that I have not received from the headx quarters of the Army, or any other source, an order or official commu- * nication of any kind, with the exception of your letter of the 8th instant, and the order assigning me to duty, which was exhibited to me in Richmond. I presume the derangement of the mails has been the cause of this, and I ask that copies be forwarded to me, via West Point.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Colonel, Commanding Post.
Richmond, Va., May 12, 1861.
Col. J. A. EARLY,
Virginia Volunteers, Commanding, &e., Lynchburg, Va. :
COLONEL: Yours of the 9th instant is at hand. Lieutenant-Colonel
Langhorne has been instructed to call out and muster into service five
regiments of infantry or riflemen, and one of cavalry, from the counties
for which Lynchburg was appointed the rendezvous by the governor’s