k. E. Lee to Peninsular Campaign, VA. Cua. Noe, July 29, 1862

July 29, 1862.

July 29, 1862. Maj. Gen. D. H. HILL, © Commanding Department of North Carolina:

GENERAL: Your letter of to-day has been received.* I have written you that General Pendleton will be sent to you. There are risks which we must take, and I wish you to make the attempt to damage the enemy by all means, at the same time guarding against unnecessary loss. McClellan will not be able to throw any large body of men across the river if he is pressed on this side. I am not certain that Coggins Point is as good for your purpose as Fort Powhatan or some point in the neighborhood below, as that would cut off his communications more effectually perhaps. Your proposed disposition of General Anderson and General French is satisfactory, except that it will be best to avail yourself of French’s aid in your operations on the south side of the river before placing him permanently in Petersburg.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

k. E. LEE,

General.

* Not found.

HEADQUARTERS, August 2, 1862.

GENERAL: I am glad to learn by your dispatch* that your attack

upon the enemy’s shipping was successful and that they were driven

from their moorings. Any positive damage inflicted upon their vessels, &c., was of course a positive gain to us. But this does not satisfy the object I had in view. My desire was for you to cut off their