R. E. Lee, May 9, 1861

Major-General LEE, Commander Virginia Forces :

GENERAL: If this place is attacked, we may expect the enemy to make a free use of rifled cannon, in addition to field artillery, and possibly larger caliber.

The object of this letter is to state that Colonel Thomas, adie general of Maryland, has placed at my disposal the ordnance from the Virginia navy-yard en route for Baltimore via this place, and to request that you will, should it meet with your approbation, send a ordnance officer, with sufficient force and means, to mount such pieces as I may designate.

Tam, general, 3 your most obedient servant, = ge Re ACKSON, Colonel Virginia Volunteers, Commanding Division.

P. S—Thereare about 2.200 Federal troops at the Relay House, others beyond Baltimore, and about 4,000 near Chambersburg, Pa. I have occupied the Maryland Hei ghts with the Kentuckians and one company of infantry from Augusta County, making about 509 in all.

HEADQUARTERS Virginia Fo Richmond, Va., May 10, 1561. Col. P. St. GEorce Cocke, Virginia Volunteers, Culpeper Court-House, Va.:

COLONEL: It is very important that the volunteer troops be organized and instructed as rapidly as possible. I know you are doing all im your power towards that object. It is desired that you attach to the battalions or regiments, as formed, as soon as possible, the field officers who have been or may be directed to report to you from the same region with the companies, place them at such point or -pomts as you think best, with capable instruciors, and press forward their instruction and equipment. The regiments under Colonels Garland and Preston were designed for Manassas Junction. You are requested to send them there, and as company and field officers are available which might properly be assigned to them, to forward them to the respective regiments. That the troops may be prepared for field service, it is desirable that they be removed from the towns and placed in camp, where their instruction may be uninterrupted and rigid discipline established. Officers and men will sooner become familiar with the necessities of service, and make their preparations accordingly. It is impossible at this time to furnish tents, but unoccupied ee might possibly be obtained or temporary plank huts established. I beg you will adopt the best plan in your power to prepare the men for hard, effective service.

Respectfully