Joseph E. Johnston to S. COOPER, Adjt. and Inspr. Gen., Richmond, Va, September 14, 1861

Near Fairfax Station, September 14, 1861.

SIR:

Herewith I inclose two reports (of Brigadier-General LongStreet and of Colonel Stuart) of the affair of Lewinsville [Nos. 16 and l7. I am much gratified at having this opportunity of putting before

_ Cmar. XIV.] RECONNAISSANCE TO LEWINSVILLE, VA.

the Department of War and the President this new instance of the boldness and skill of Colonel Stuart and the courage and efficiency of our troops. :

Connected with this communication and these reports is a recommendation from General Longstreet, General Beauregard, and myself for forming a cavalry brigade and putting Colonel Stuart at its head. A new organization of the cavalry arm of our service is greatly needed, and greater strength as well as an effective organization. Our numbers in cavalry are by no means in due proportion to our infantry and artillery, yet without cavalry in proper proportion vietory is comD uer barrén of results ; defeat is less prejudicial; retreat is usually safe.

You will observe that I propose that Colonel Stuart shall be withdrawn from the immediate command of the First Regiment of Virginia Cavalry.s Should this be done, as I hope it will be, other arrangements are necessary in the regiment. As they have served immediately under my eye, and as I thus know them thoroughly, I feel it my duty to make

. further suggestions.

The regiment so faris exclusively Virginian. By all means keep it so, where it can be done without prejudice in other respects. State pride excites a generous emulation in the Army, which is of inappreciable value in its effect on the spirit of the troops. I therefore recommend that Capt. William E. Jones, who now commands the strongest troop in the regiment and one which is not surpassed in discipline or spirit by any in the army, be made colonel. He is a graduate of West Point, served for several years in the Mounted Rifles, and is skillful, brave, and zealous in a very high degree. It is enough to say that he is worthy to succeed J. E. B. Stuart. For the lieutenant-coloneley I repeat my recommendation of Capt. Fitzhugh Lee. He belongs to a family in which military genius seems an heirloom. He is an ofticer of rare merit, capacity, and courage. Both of these officers have the invaluable advantage at this moment of knowledge of the ground which is now the scene of operations.

I do not recommend Maj. Robert Swan of that regiment for promotion in it, because, though personally known to me as a capable and

-gallant officer, yet his service and experience in the Army heretofore

have been in the infantry. Iam informed that he would prefer that branch of the service. I therefore recommend his transfer to it. Being a Marylander, it would be preferable to place him in a Maryland regiment. He would be likely thus to serve our cause most effectively. Most respectfully,

your obedient servant,

General.

Gen. S. COOPER, Adjt. and Inspr. Gen., Richmond, Va.