Lieut. Col. George Deas on the Fitness of Brig. Gen. Gilbert S. Meem for Command

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA FROM APRIL 16 TO JULY 31, 1861

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. – CONFEDERATE

O. R. – Series I – VOLUME 2 [S #2] CHAPTER IX, p. 962

Headquarters,
Richmond, Va., July 1, 1861.

Brig. Gen. J. E. Johnston, Winchester, Va.:

General: I am directed by General Lee to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, in reply to my communication of the 24th, respecting the calling into service of the two regiments from the Third Division of the State Militia. The general desires me to say that it was far from his intention to cast any strictures upon you for any orders that you may have given upon that subject. The matter coming from the governor of Virginia in the form of an inquiry was submitted to you for reply, as none could be given from this office, and at that time it was not known that you had given any instructions on the subject. The latter part of my letter was simply intended to convey to you certain information, of a nature which might influence you if found correct. As a matter of course, your orders calling out the militia could only be conveyed through the regularly appointed officers, irrespective of their character or abilities.

Respectfully, &c.,
GEO. DEAS, Assistant Adjutant-General.