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of the Executive, I resolved not to continue to occupy the place after the purposes for which the troops were sent to it should require them elsewhere.
About the 9th of June, however, I again represented to the Government the objections to its plan, and urged it to change the character of my command.1 General Beauregard came to Manassas Junction and assumed command on that frontier, a week after my arrival at Harper's Ferry.
We communicated with each other at once, and agreed that the first attacked should be aided by the other to his utmost.
We were convinced of our mutual dependence, and agreed in the opinion that the safety of the Confederacy depended on the cooperation of the armies we commanded.
In the mean time the Potomac was observed by the cavalry from the Point of Rocks to the western part of the county of Berkeley, as had been done under my predecessor.
The manufacture of cartridge-boxes and belts was ordered in the neighboring towns and villages.
Cartridges were made of powder furnished by Governor Letcher, and lead found at the place, or procured in the neighborhood.
Caps (in small quantities only) were smuggled from Baltimore.
Caissons were constructed at Captain Pendleton's suggestion, by fixing roughly-made ammunition-chests on the running-parts of farm-wagons.
Horses, and harness of various kinds, for the artillery, and wagons and
1 In my report of the military operations, ending in the battle of Manassas, published by the Government, I briefly reminded the War Department of these views, and of the expression of them by me at the time, and that “the continued occupation of the place was deemed by it indispensable.” （See fourth and fifth paragraphs of that report.)
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