“I think that you had better arrest them all during the same night; but I leave you to decide upon this, and I have such confidence in you that I leave the whole process of securing them to your discretion.
“I have written to Gen. Jones to let you take your entire battalion, if you think it necessary, and in the event you only require part of it to let you make the selection.
“Keep your instructions, and also your destination, confidential, until your plans require you to make them known.
“I hope sometime to have the pleasure of being with you again.
“I am, Major, your obedient servant.
“T. J. Jackson, Lieut.-Gen’l.
“Major E. V. White,
“Commanding Cavalry Battalion.”
“It is important that you move at once. Please write to me on your return, respecting your success.
T. J. J.”