If the enemy should assume the offensive, and I am assured by reliable persons that in view of my position such is his intention, my force present is altogether inadequate, consisting of only 15,000 men.

I have to request you, therefore, to come forward with all the available force under your command.

So important do I consider the occasion that I think it necessary to give this communication all the force of orders, and I send four boats, the Diana, Woodford, John Rain, and Autocrat, to bring you up.

In five or six days my force will probably be sufficient to relieve you.
Very respectfully, your ob't srv't, D.C.BUELL, Brigadier-General Comd'g.
P.S .-- The steamers will leave here at 12 o'clock to-night.
General Smith said this order was nonsense.

But I told him it was better to obey it.