Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-08-28
TEE rvlcUIrToN OF NORFOLK.

Oryrct. EIs1oRY OF TIE AYTAIR-Asj1r General
Hnger publishes the following letters by authority OIL 'he
War Department. The permission was gsnted, Ss DO
slsCs 10 published letter precsdns them, az meaus
of reu,ng the Galunicus falseboods Calculated by de-
sgnir persons to Induce the public to believe that be
ab,ndoned Norfolk We publish the letters I'D the his
tory of a very important movement Of tie war;
Headquarters Department Of Norfolk,
April 90. 1862.
Gen. R. Lee, Commanding, g.:
INaEAL-I Yesterday r,c1Y-d a letter from usnerS!
j. T. Johnston informing me the enemy seems preparing
n attack yorktown with powerful artillery, and We
may be compelled to abandon the Peninsula de desires
m TO be prepared for such co lupgency.
For week past the enemy has kepla brigade shoat near
zabeh Oty, which move 10 any position on ChoH'
An river -. Th3 force landd on tho Light OF the
lst and marched en- South Mills where they were met
by the Georgia regiment and icu pieces OF artillery
repused with great loss. They have been reinforced
duc, the week, and now ahoat TO the SCUM oil me-
the enemy gets possession Of the James r'er' arc
can have moving force il to land where he pieasts
do not see how am to prevent them from landing;
and II they get possession OF the country west CT thS
place. through which the railroads pase, as well as the
waters thoother three sides any escape IRON here Is
very doubtful.
would not do 10 give up any part Of the position,
they would at once occupy it, and cannot begin TO
move the public property. The guns scattered a. the
ds ent batteries could not be removed with our means
in weeks; aud where to move tlem tot Toe amnual
ton could be destroy ed when not wanted.
As to the valuable establishment OF the Navy Yard,
which has more public property than the rest OF the
country is under my CONTROL and others must de-
termine concerning 1t.
do not see wha. Preparations make for the cor.
tngency, bu; to repe every attack as promptly Ss pos
sible and defend the position as long as can.
When they have the waters both sides OF me, you
can calculate how long can hold out well as can
Very respectfully,
Your obedieut servant,
BEsJ hUOER
NJ JJr General
HEADQUARTERS LKIs HOUSE,,
May Isl, 1862
GTxsRAL i shall withdraw from this position towards
Richmond 10 morrow night.
This movement requires corresponding Que on your
part You will please, therefore, leave Norfolk Tor hch'
mond with your troops without delay.
Leave little public property TO the enemy as posi-
bic
90 operate as well ms you with the commandaat OF
the Navy Yard.
s.nd orders TO any troops that may be stationed on
tho south eide Oi james river 10 march once 10 Roh
mond II they have heavy guls they should be rendered
uussryiceabic, unless they be removed. Powder
.h)uld be saved in preference to anything else.
Flag Officer 1aIhal is desired TO cover your movement
by preventing the passage u The enemys vessels up
James liver.
Report your approach to Gen. Lss. Confer With Flag
Officer TstnaL.
Most respectfully,
Your Obedicnt servant
Signed J. H. JOHNSTON, General
NoRFoLK, May 3. 1862.
HuQ'Rs DIP'r oT NokFOLE
Norfolk Va, May z. lsGA
GES j. l. JoSsrOS, Commanding, ~, A..
General: Your messenger delivered to me your letter
Of the st Of May, and for Capt Lee and Com. Tat
nall which were delivered.
Tue Secretaries OF War sud Navy arrived by the cars
TO day and we're present when received your letter,
which | submitted To the Secretary Of War. he has
given me ii niAr notice aud INSTRUCTIONS but directed
stores moved hrst aud not TO move tue troops az
the haste your letter requires.
! viii cOmmeIc- despAIcd0g Tie anmudiuOn and
ores a. once and g tho sick Who bs moved cent
H. and such regiments not guarding approaches
Toe move ia s' be made r"h o'der. o' 1t vail he
gut
Ve,y respectfully, your obit SERVE,
BNJ. HUGEE. hsIJT General.
Major General Be. j. Huger Commanding Department OF
Norfolk.
GEsGkAL-rhe determination OF General Johnston ~
l back on the Peuu ala renders IL tLaI YOU
should prepare iOr speedy evacuation oi Norfolk lou
viii accordingly send to Raleigh all the ammunition uoI
uecessafy Tor field batteries, aud Tor such heavy
guus 80 You NAV uss TO cover the evacuation You will
send 10 the point all your PROVISIONS nos re-
uuired for the OF the troops duiDg the evacuation
aud their march to Petersburg, and such clothing a.
you NAV have on hand. And you will send 70
Redmond or RIleigh according to your means OF
transportation many Of the heavy guns as you have
time move, preerrng those OF the heaviest eiere,
aud especially the banded ride guns OF The navy patterr
The carriages should be sent WITH the guns ip1ssble,
aud such shot aud shell especially Tor tho RI ID guus az
bs carried
Whatever public property will be Of to the enemy
aud cannot be carried OIL be destroyed. You will
take control o. tho riroads leading out OF Norfolk aud
Portsmouth,, snd allow nothing to impede the rAnspor'a
ton Of the Government. wish YOU 10 act III concert
With the conrnaudant OF the NAVY Yard, and TO facilitate
tbs removal Of such property from tie Nay Yard NJ
nav be ected Tor removsl
YJuw bear IN mind, huwsycr that the preservation
Of your army Of the first importance aud that lie safety
Ia Is; not be TOO much hSZuded by your Efforts To rave
publ property
.oulI sugg,s therefore, that it will be well to
centrate il As sps edy possible SLn)k leaving
IN petition Only such portion may be necessary to Gov
cr the evacuation. To do this ell cuiy, It will be well
10 observe the shores Of es river aud the pproachts
10 Notio on toe North Carolina eide aud 10 hold the
enemy ia CHECK il he adVar ces until your entire army
il viii dawn from Norfolk and Portsmouth, aud placed
bsyoLd tho possibility Of capu,e by superior farce
A brig,d o. aoL les than three regiments will be re-
ulired at for service north Of Richmond aud should
Do marched forthwith 10 SUI H. 10 Do sent thence by
ralrca or by tho county roads, may be hereafter d.
rected.
Transportation, in addition to that already on the
railroads can be used to advantage, cali upon the De
pArlmeut aud such rolrg stock si be furnished
be procured from other roads.
would further suggest additional means Of pro-
lection on the North Caroua eide that you destroy the
locks Of the Dismal Swamp Canal forthwith.
Very respectfully, your obi s,rv't
Jgpedl Gao. w. RANDOLPH
Secretary Of War.
HELpQ'Ns DIPAErNENr or NoH'oLE
May 81, 1864