Dear Col.

This moment I was about to write you to learn the occasion and utility of the firing from the point;...I hope some of your officers have been up to see and give the necessary directions....The barron's² conjectures may be right but their breastworks may as naturally be designed as a defence against any effort made upon our part. I am of opinion they will not attempt to land on Sullivan's until the armed vessels are first before your fort.

The state of the bridge and marsh is like to give me great trouble; part of the last detachment I ordered to your island, has this morning absolutely refused until the passage between the two places is safely passable...I am a little surprized that your sergeant, agreeable to orders of yesterday, did not meet the men I sent to stake out the best path through the marsh on your side of the bridge; nor could the man I sent find any boards laid down, as you remember was ordered on Saturday night....this is the third day that for want of boats I could not get this detachment over, now part have refused. I sent an express to Gen. Lee, and in the mean time desiring to know whether any new amendments for the bridge are going on, on your side the water; and farther notice as the movements of the enemy may require. I am obliged to throw up works in a kind of chain, near four miles from this camp. The enemy constantly striving to find new landing places on the main. I am, dear sir, yours,

*About one mile from the fort, is an almost navigable river between us.