Centreville, February 2, 1862

Centreville, February 2, 1862

Letter from Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Samuel Cooper, February 2, 1862
Centreville, February 2, 1862.

General S. Cooper,

Adjutant and Inspector-General.

Sir: We are beginning to feel the want of the arms recently sent to Richmond under orders from the War Department. One regiment already has twenty-three men returned from hospital, who are without arms. The recruiting directed in General Order No. 2 will give us men who cannot be armed, unless a part at least of the arms referred to can be returned.

Permit me again to remind the War Department that a division and five brigades are without their proper generals. The great number of colonels and other field-officers who are absent sick, makes the want of general officers the more felt.

Several of the colonels of this army are well qualified to be brigadier-generals. Besides Colonels A. P. Hill and Forney, Colonels Hampton, Winder, Garland, and Mott, are fully competent to command brigades.

Most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. E. Johnston, General.