John J. Peck, September 16, 1863

Yours of the 14th was received at the hands of Major Jenney. Your views accord with mine inthe matter of raids at the present. Since my crepes General Wessells reports a great movement south, with all the trains in the hands of the Government, so that citizens are unable to travel. This confirms the information I sent you, being from a most reliable source.

In all this movement, which is estimated at 30,000, I am very certain that General Hood’s division is to remain in North Carolina for the purpose of collecting deserters from Lee’s army, of keeping down the Union feeling, and of sustaining the Confederacy. I have an Irishman who has just arrived from Petersburg. e escaped for the third time, and is under sentence of death. Hie says Hood’s troops were arriving at Weldon when he came through.. I have some information that some troops from Lee’s army passed south via Salisbury, Charlotte, and Columbia, probably to Charleston.

You will receive a communication in respect to the proper disposition to be made of Mr. Alfred Stanley, brother of the Governor, I believe. Is he an officer? If he is, and I was satisfied of the fact, I would at once forward him as a prisoner of war.

General Wessells still nervous about the gunboat near Halifax.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,