T. H. Holmes to R. EH. Lee, July 12, 1861
General R. EH. LEE, Commanding Forces :
GENERAL: I Gahsiiot take the responsibility of withdrawing the troops from Mathias Point on the condition that the enemy will not be permitted to land there, although I believe that if he does so it will be with an overwhelming force that cannot be successfully resisted by the command now there ; and as It is too remote to be re-enforced from here and is not a favorable point from which the enemy can begin an invasive march, I cannot see why any importance should be attached to its possession, and this opinion is strengthened by the report of Captain Kennedy, O. 8S. Navy, that Evansport is quite as convenient a point for stopping the navigation of the river. But why think of the navigation at all? If we invade it will be ours, as a necessary consequence; if not, the stoppage of it would not materially affect the strength of our enemies.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Richmond, July 13, 1861.
My DEAR GENERAL: I have just received yours of yesterday, and
to you that about 15,000 volunteers, extremely well armed and equipped,
were assembled in North Carolina, but were not accepted because they
offered to serve for but twelve months. The truth is, that about ten