Unknown to J. E. JoHNSTON, Winchester, Va, July 17, 1861

General J. E. JoHNSTON, Winchester, Va.:

General Beauregard is attacked. To strike the enemy a decisive blow a junction of all your effective force will be needed. If practicable, make the movement, sending your sick and baggage to Culpeper Court-House either by railroad or by Warrenton. Tn all the arrangements exercise your discretion.

Adjutant and Inspector General.

nar. IX.] The word “after” is not found in the dispatch before the words “sending your sick,” as is stated in the report; so that the argument based on it requires no comment. The order to move “if practicable” had reference to General Johnston’s letters of 12th and 15th July, representing the relative strength and positions of the enemy under Patterson and of his own forces to be such as to make it doubtful whether General Johnston had the power to effect the movement.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF NORTHERN Virginia, Centreville, February 3, 1862. Sir: My attention has been called to the fact that in the enumeration

_ of the officers who distinguished themselves in the battle of Manassas

the name of Col. S. B. Gibbons, commanding the Tenth Virginia Regiment, was omitted. This omission was due to unaccountable carelessness, and is a matter of regret and mortification tome. I beg that it may be corrected in my report on file in your office, and the correction pubiished. Colonel Gibbons and his gallant regiment played an important part at a critical time, and injustice to them, even accidentally, is unpardonable. Colonel Elzey, to whose brigade Colonel Gibbous belongs, made honorable mention of him in his report. Most

respectfully, your obedient servant,