records give an accurate statement of the facts in the order of their event.
Under date of May 3, 1864, General F. H. Smith, Superintendant of the Institute, wrote to Major-General Breckinridge as follows:
"I have the honor to inclose herewith a letter from General R. E. Lee, Commanding Army of Northern Virginia, addressed to the Adjutant-General of Virginia, also a copy of instructions from the Governor of Virginia, defining my duty as Superintendant of the Virginia Military Institute. Under these instructions and suggestions, I now respectfully report to you for such order as the emergencies of the approaching campaign may call forth. The Corps of Cadets numbers an aggregate of 280, of which 250 may be relied on for active duty, leaving 30 as a necessary guard to the Institute, and disabled," &c., &c.
And later on the following communication:
"Headquarters Va. Mil. Inst.
Major-General Breckinridge:
General,—Your dispatch of yesterday by courier was received by me at 9 P. M. I immediately gave orders to Lieut-Col. Shipp, commanding Cadets, to have his battalion in readiness to move this morning at 7 o'clock. They are now forming, and will reach Bell's, sixteen miles, to-day, and be in Staunton to-morrow. I have issued to them rations for two days, and will send them 500 pounds of bacon and as much beef as I can find transportation for. I have sixty barrels of flour near Staunton. I send 100 bushels of corn for forage. The Cadets are armed with Austrian rifles and take forty rounds of ammunition. The section of artillery will consist of three-inch, iron rifles, and the ammunition chests of the limbers and caissons will be filled. I have ten or twelve six-pounder, brass pieces here, mounted, and one twelve-pound howitzer, if any should be needed. Horses have been impressed for the artillery and transportation, but they are slow coming in. The artillery has orders to reach the infantry to-night * * *. Your dispatch finds me very unwell, but I shall hope to be with you to-morrow.
