Richmond, Va., March 15, 1862.
Brig. Gen. Edward Johnson,
Commanding &c., Monterey, Va.:
General: I inclose authority from the governor of Virginia to call out the militia of the counties of Highland, Pendleton, and Pocahontas, that you may be enabled to re-enforce your command when necessary.
Please send me a report of its present strength at your earliest convenience, and inform me what may be the prospect of calling to your aid volunteers from the country in which you are operating. It will depend upon your strength and that of the enemy opposed to you what plan of operations can be adopted in the ensuing campaign, and on this point I request your views and opinions, and as to the best line of defense you can take and hold so as to cover the approaches to Staunton.
I am, &c.,
RE Lee
General, Commanding.
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 5, p. 1101
Transcribed by Daniel Shevalier, 2018 June 14
