| Headquarters Virginia Forces |
| Richmond, Va. May 6, 1861 |
| |
| Col. T. J. Jackson |
| Commanding Volunteers |
| Harper's Ferry, Va. |
| |
| Colonel, |
| I consider it probable that the
Government at Washington will make a movement against Harper's Ferry,
and occupy the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad with that view, or use the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal for the transportation of troops. You are
desired to watch these avenues of approach, and endeavor to frustrate
their designs. On receiving certain intelligence of the approach of
troops it will become necessary to destroy the bridge at Harper's
Ferry and obstruct their passage by the canal as much as possible. You
might make some confidential arrangements with persons in Maryland to
destroy the Monocacy railroad bridge and draw the water out of the
canal, should there be assurances of the enemy's attempt to make use
of either. |
| You are authorized to offer the payment
of $5 for each musket that may be returned of those taken possession
of by the people in and about Harper's Ferry. |
| It is advisable that you establish some
troops at Martinsburg, or other more advantageous point, if your force
will permit. I desire that you will report the amount of your present
force and the number of volunteers that will probably respond to the
call of the governor from the counties indicated in his proclamation. |
| Respectfully, &c. |
| R. E. Lee |
| Major-General, Commanding |
|