John A. Dix to Joseph Hooker, November 14, 1861

GENERAL:

I send you 500 of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers, under Colonel Amory, which will make your command a very formidable one. I will send some ammunition for 6-pounders immediately.

426 – OPERATIONS IN MD., N. VA, AND W. VA. [Cmar. XIV. –

You will want a few days to organize, and nothing wil be lost, as the people will be eonsidering the subjeet of my proclamation. “Thinking it very desirable to get it out, that no time might be lost, I authorized – Colonel Warren, in ease you should not have reached Newtown, to distribute it. You are ata distance, and if some deviation from certain details of my instructions becomes necessary, you. will exercise à reasonable discretion. If you do not want the bridge over the Swan’s GutCreek, you need not replace it unless you choose, though I think it will do us no discredit with the people of Accomac if we repair the damage of their own madcaps. Let me know what you want, and it shall be – promptly furnished. I have the peaceful settlement of this difficulty with the Eastern Shore of Virginia much at heart, and know you will spare no effort to accomplish it. I intend all your troops shall have 100 rounds of ammunition. Let me know of any deficiency.

I am, very respectfully, yours