From the information I have received of the Insurgents determination to begin their march to Newbern on the 11th instant, I do hereby command you to hold your Regiment in readiness to march, to obstruct and oppose them, and even if necessary to repel force with force; should you find it out of your power to prevent them coming down, I must require you to follow them to Newbern with all expedition, with as many men as you can assemble in order to protect and secure the Public Peace.

It will be necessary for you to load as many carriages with flour and to drive as many Steers as will furnish your Regiment with Provisions for three weeks at the rate of one pound of flour and one pound and a half of meat to each man per day, and to take up from the Stores as much powder and lead as will be sufficient to supply your Detachment at the rate of half a pound of Powder and two pound of lead or shot for each man, to satisfy the expence of which Provisions and ammunition I will give you a Draft on the Treasurers, if the occasion should require. The proportion of Officers and Non Commission Officers for your Detachment will be a Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign, two Sergeants, two Corporals and a Drummer to every fifty men.

P. S. The men should take their Blankets and Kettles to cook with on their march.