Unknown to Joseph E. Johnston, June 30, 1861

Sir: [have the honor to report that the command of LieutenantColonel Dreux, about eighteen hundred strong, arrived here yesterday at 3 p. m., after a most arduous march, without meeting with the enemy, although we sought him under the gunsof his works at Newport News. The command started at 11 o’clock at night on the 28th instant, under my immediate orders, and marched, in a drenching rain, to near the points where the enemy’s sentinels were reported to be posted. Before our arrival, however, at that point, I caused a thorough examination to be made of the bridge at New Market and its immediate vicinity, and could find no evidence of its being fortified or even occupied. One of the objects of this night march, as I wrote the commanding general, was to surprise the enemy at that point, if in occupation of it, and to drive him back into his works. Finding no evemy here, I determined to pass, by a private road, to within a mile or a mile and a half of Newport — News, to conceal my cavalry in the wood which skirts the road leading ~ from that place to Fort Monroe, to place my infantry in ambush on a — parallel road and near enough to give support to the cavalry, andawait — daybreak and the passage of parties between the two posts. I proceeded to execute this plan, not without hope, from the extreme inclemency of — the weather and the suddenness of our movement, of being able to sur- ~

prise and capture the work itself, which, I am told, is garrisoned by at least four thousand men. We had arrived in the immediate vicinity of the post, when a musket was discharged by one of our own men, and two negroes were seen running towards the enemy, making it very im-~ probable that we should be able to accomplish our purpose by surprise. — We nevertheless continued our march, and learning from a negro that — some two hundred men of the enemy were quartered in a house near the ~ work, I determined to surround it. It was now daylight. I therefore sent the cavalry in front of the house, while the infantry ‘filed through @ _ road in its rear, but, upon examination, it was found the enemy did not i occupy it that night, having perhaps been deterred from turning out of ~ their work by the violent rain. I nevertheless concealed my men as ~ much as possible, showing a few of the cavalry, in order to entice a portion of the garrison tocome out. They, however, remained close, and as_ I intended to return to Yorktown by the Warwick road, I marched up to this point, where I am establishing a post, stopping, however, thre hours in sight of Newport News, in order to rest the men. We visited

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Cmy.IX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.— CONFEDERATE,

many houses, which the enemy had pillaged the day before, and captured some negroes. We found a most respectable man (Captain Smith) and his family still living on their place, but subject to the threats, annoyances, robberies, and abuses of these unprincipled foes, who threatened their lives, as well as to burn their property, on the ground of their being secessionists. After leaving his house I addressed a letter to Col. Phelps, in command at Newport News, calling his attention to this improper and uncivilized conduct, and stating to him that it was not to be expected that the courtesy and humanity that had characterized our treatment of those who had fallen into our hands would continue if such conduct on the part of his officers and men was longer tolerated. Iam satisfied this savage and cruel course towards individuals is in pursuance of orders from Washington, and in most cases to the disgust of the respectable portion of the officers, who are obliged to carry them out.

hold this position. I am in hopes that the demonstration of force made on this road now will rid the inhabitants, at least for atime, of the presence of the enemy.

The traitors in the neighborhood of Fort Monroe, through which we were compelled to march, no doubt communicated the fact as soon as

we passed, for about daylight signal-guns were fired from the fort to give warning to Newport News. I am, sir,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,