Centreville, February 11, 1862

Centreville, February 11, 1862

Letter from Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Samuel Cooper, February 11, 1862
Headquarters Department of Northern Virginia,

Centreville, February 11, 1862.

General S. Cooper,

Adjutant and Inspector-General.

Sir: An order from the War Department removed two artillery companies which manned four of the heavy batteries at Manassas. I cannot supply their places without taking for the purpose excellent infantry who are ignorant of artillery service. I therefore respectfully ask that two companies may be sent to Manassas to man the batteries in
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question without delay. They might be sent without small-arms.

Let me again urge the importance of sending to the army the proper number of general officers. The great number of sick field-officers makes the want of them felt the more.

Most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. E. Johnston, General