Unknown to Thomas J. Jackson, May 1, 1861

Col. T. J. JACKSON, Commanding Harper’s Ferry, Va.: CoLONEL: Under authority of the governor of the State, you are directed to call out volunteer companies from the counties in the valley adjacent to Harper’s Ferry, viz, Morgan, Berkeley, Jefferson, Hampshire, Hardy, Frederick, and Clarke, including the troops you may muster in at Harper’s Ferry, not counting five regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and two batteries of light artillery, of four pieces each. The average number of enlisted men in each company will be eighty-two, and the troops will be directed to rendezvous at Harper’s Ferry. – You will select, as far as possible, uniformed companies with arms, organize ‘them into regiments under the senior captains, until proper field officers can be appointed. You will report the number of companies accepted in the service of the State under this authority, their description, arms, &c. Five hundred Louisiana troops, said to be en route for this place, will be directed to report to you, and you will make provision accordingly. You are desired to urge the transfer of all the machinery, materials, &e., from Harper’s Ferry, as fast as possible, and have it prepared in Winchester for removal to Strasburg, whence it will be ordered to a place of safety. ‘The machinery ordered to this place must be forwarded with dispatch, as has already been directed. The remainder will 4 ) await at Strasburg further orders. All the machinery of the rifle faetory, and everything of value therein, will be also removed as rapidly as your means will permit. Ifthe troops can be advantageously used in the removal of the machinery, they will be so employed. It is thought probable that some attack may be made upon your position from Pennsylvania, and you will keep yourself as well informed as possible of any movements against you. Should it become necessary to the defense of your position, you will destroy the bridge across the Potomac. You are particularly directed to keep your plans and operations secret, and endeavor to prevent their being published in the -papers of the country. Iam, sir, &e., R. E. LEE, Major-General, Commanding. Extracts from the proceedings of the Advisory Council of the State of Virginia. THURSDAY, May 2, 1861. An application from the governor of Missouri, communicated verbally by a special messenger, for arms and ordnance and for drawings of machinery, &c., necessary for their manufacture was brought before the council. Advised unanimously that the governor of Missouri be supplied with copies of all the drawings at our command, but for the present it is out of our power to loan arms or ordnance stores. * * * * * * * The council unanimously advise that the governor send a special agent to the legislature of Maryland, to assure them of the sympathy of Virginia, and to say that should the legislature think proper to commit the power and authority of the State of Maryland, in co-operation with Virginia and the Confederate States, in resistance to the aggressions of the Government at Washington, then and in that case Virginia will afford all practicable facilities for the furtherance of such object, and will place such arms at the disposal of the Maryland authorities as she may have it in her power to give; and, further, that the governor report to President Davis informing him of this action on the part of the State. * * * * * * *

HEADQUARTERS Virginia FORCES,