Joseph E. Johnston to G. B. Cossy, July 27, 1861

July 27, 1861. Maj. G. B. Cossy, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of Yorktown:

MAsor: I have the honor to report that I exceeded, in part, the instructions of the general for carrying off the negroes from below Young’s and Harrod’s Mills yesterday. In order to proceed with the greatest security, moved my whole command, leaving one hundred men in charge of a sick field officer, with my caissons and transportation at this pomt. I sent picked men in advance to.take such positions that the enemy could not leave Hampton or Newport News without my being duly apprised of it. These men were followed by my cavalry, under _ Lieutenant-Colonel Hood, who was directed to take the Back River – road. Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming was stationed at the New Market _ Bridge, with two howitzers, his own and Major Irby’s battalions, and a

iy tN ST rye et os ne ee er on s : : OS ge portion of the North Carolina battalion. With the remaining force I took my position at the junction of Maney’s road, to prevent the march of the enemy from Newport News on to the Sawy er. Swamp road, to the rear of Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming.

About 5 o’clock I received an express from Colonel Hood, informing me that he had executed his orders, when I directed Colonel Cumming to fall back. I returned to this point with my whole command, and reoccupied the same position I had left in the morning.

After dark I sent Captain Phillips, with a detachment of thirty dragoons, to bring off the negroes on the James River side of the Peninsula from the vicinity of Newport News.

Captain Phillips returned this morning, having executed his orders with the skill and promptness for which he has been commended. One negro escaped from him by jumping out of a window. He was shot at by the guard, but escaped unhurt.

I have the honor to inclose herewith a list of negroes furnished me by Colonel Hood. I would especially call the attention of the commanding general to the necessity of closely guarding the negroes taken from the James River side. They have been constantly in communication with the enemy, and evinced the strongest dislike to being taken.

Whilst in position yesterday the enemy moved out of Hampton in considerable force, leading me to believe that perhaps they contemplated an attack on mycommand. They passed on to Newport News, although ‘they were well aware that Colonel Hood’s command was scattered through the Back River country; some of them had fired upon the vedettes. Reports have reached me that troops have embarked at Newport News yesterday. Ido notaccredit this. Iam rather of the opinion that Newport News has been re-enforced from Hampton. I would also report that I have duly consulted with Colonel Hood and Captain Phillips, as directed, and with other intelligent officers, as to the propriety of destroying the telegraph between Hampton and Newport News, and have decided that the risk attending the execution with a large force would be too great for the benefit that would be derived from its destruction. It is considered that the position of the force would be extremely hazardous, as it would be between Hampton, Newport News, and Fortress [Monroe]; have but one road to retreat by if forced to re- — tire; and that it would be particularly hazardous, as it would be seattered over a considerable distance at all times whilst executing the — order.

A small party can destroy the communication by telegraph at any time that it may be deemed proper to make a demonstration against — either end of it. If destroyed now, it would be reconstructed, and so guarded as to render a nocturnal communication with Hampton more — difficult than it is now.

I have not been able to gain any information as to the number and the whereabouts of the surf-boats. I am under the impression that these boats cannot be destroyed without passing through the whole of — the enemy’s lines; an impossibility. This opinion is formed from conversations with officers of my command intimately acquainted with all — the localities in the far end of the Peninsula. q

I have the honor to inclose a report furnished me by Surg. G. W. — Semple this morning. I would earnestly request that it be considered — at once by the general commanding. Commanding officers of bat-— talions are constantly reporting additional cases of sickness in their commands. b

I sent all the spades and axes to Yorktown this morning that coul d Onar. IX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—CONFEDERATE. 1005,

be gathered together. I also sent the flag of truce to Fortress Monroe this morning, as directed by the general, and with it a cart for the baggage of the officers, prisoners at Yorktown. I took occasion, having learned through the New York Herald that Lieutenant-Colonel Pegram was a prisoner at the fort, to request that he might be allowed to send

_ to me such letters as he might desire to send his family in Richmond, and stated the condition of the wounded officers recently captured. Since the burning of the vessels on York River the enemy have kept

_ Close in their lines. I think this is due to the strong force under my command.

As soon as I am furnished with sufficient transportation, I will complete my instructions in regard to the rest of the negroes. The forwarding of those sent to Williamsburg has exhausted all the means at my disposal. Having executed these instructions at the most exposed points, it will not be necessary for me to remain here. They can be completed from Young’s and Harrod’s Mills. I will await the order to fall back to that position, unless the necessity for doing so becomes greater than at present. ,

I forgot to report, in mentioning yesterday’s proceedings, that the enemy made two attempts to inspect us in balloons.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,