Summary:
Jefferson Davis writes General Joseph E. Johnston on the November, 1861,
strategic situation in northern Virginia. Davis tells Johnston to expect the
arrival of troops from Staunton.
Gen. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, C. S. A., Centreville, Va.:
RICHMOND, VA.,
November 18, 1861.
SIR:
Upon representations as to the defective construction of the batteries at and near Evansport and the hazard of bombardment by batteries recently established by the enemy on the Maryland shore, directions have been given to remove the guns to Cockpit, as recommended by Gen. Whiting and others. It will, however, give to the enemy opportunity to make a landing at Ship Point, and thence threaten the position of Gen. Holmes. If a large force should be landed on the Potomac below Gen. Holmes, with a view to turn or to attack him, the value of the position between Dumfries and Fredericksburg will be so great, the I wish you to give to that line your personal inspection. With a sufficient force the enemy may be prevented from leaving his boats, should he be able to cross the river. To make the force available at either of the points which he may select, it will be necessary to improve the roads connecting the advanced posts with the armies of the Potomac and of the Aquia as well as with each other, and to have the required teams to move heavy guns with celerity. At Cockpit, if the topography has been correctly reported, our batteries will not be in danger of bombardment from the Maryland shore, but will be more liable to a land attack than when at Evansport; and being removed from support by Gen. Holmes, will need to have a larger garrison in the event supposed.
As I notified you, unarmed troops have been sent to receive the arms in your possession, and three regiments have been sent to your department since my last letter to you. (The troops from Staunton may be soon expected.) We must ask of our army that it will perform such service as has distinguished it heretofore, and we hope that our just cause is safe in its keeping, through, if it were possible, I would send to you many more troops.
Very respectfully, your,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 5, Serial No. 5, Pages 963, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
