Robert E. Lee to Sah, July 16, 1861

srig. Gen. J. B. MAGRUDER, Commanding, Yorktown, Va.:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 13th, in reference to the defenses on famestown Island, has been received. I hope the additional redoubt vhich you have directed to be constructed at the east end of the island nd the division of the guns in the midway redoubt may be advantageus. Ido not consider it advisable, however, to diffuse your force over oo large a space, and it was this consideration that induced the location f the midway redoubt on its present site. I have only to repeat, in elation to the landing at Spratley’s, King’s Mill, &c., that the construcion of the battery at Day’s Point and the projected batteries at Mulerry Point, and the one opposite, will render them more secure, and liminish the danger of an attempt upon Williamsburg by that route. Yo means, however, must be neglected to prevent such an attempt or o secure the line of defenses across the Peninsula. We have not, howver, guns sufficient to place at every vulnerable point on the Peninsula, nd they must be posted only on the most important, and, if carried, he guns must be removed to other points of defense. Upon the comletion of the defenses a more advantageous disposition of the guns nay be made; but until that time I do not wish the guns for the deense of the channel to be removed from their present positions.

Respectfully,