CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - CONFEDERATE.
barbette carriages, I think we can be strong enough at the present post against any number of gunboats until we can put up the batteries on end of Island No.10 and opposite main-land.
By the bye, colonel, I had named this post the Redan, as the form of the fort is a redan. I had also given to the main battery site, 1 mile below this, on the main-land, the name of Fort Leonidas, in compliment to our major-general commanding. And to the battery upon the end of the island (to be about the same size as the redan), Fort No.10.
These three names suggested themselves to me as peculiarly appropriate and strong, and I beg to suggest them to you for approval by the commanding general. Colonel, I have a great deal to report to you, but every moment of my time has been occupied in arranging, moving, meeting impediments (that ought not to have been in the way), and in preparing to defend this superb section of country, agreeably to your wishes and those of General Polk. Both of you will, I think, not be disappointed. To-night I shall keep, but I have not done so one night since we parted.
Do send me the Mohawk and my theodolite, which I want for a short while. I will return it to you, colonel.
In a day or two I will have time to give you a detailed account of my movements since I saw you.
At New Madrid a young gentleman came to me to know if he should go down the river to you-Mr. W.D. Storke. I was in want of immediate assistance from just such an officer, and the great necessity of the case caused me to request him to aid me for a few days. He has been of service to me, and I will send him down in a few days, unless you can let me have until I finish the works of Island No.10 bend.
Colonel, can you have barbette carriages sent up to us? The guns at Memphis are of no use there, and before you will be ready for them at the Fort Pillow works others can be made.
We can at least keep the enemy at bay, and I believe can destroy him at this point, the threshold of General Polk's department, should he attempt a passage by us. I shall have the country thoroughly examined between this and Union City as to feasibility of a short, good road, as well as defensible purposes.
Colonel, please advise no other orders be issued to any other commanding officer for this point for the present. Major Stewart and I will get along well together. If you can send up the light battery from New Orleans I will have a good camp ground for them and fine position if we are attacked. Also send us a mounted company.
I beg you will pardon this hasty communication, but I have no place to write, and my time every moment employed on the works. Major Stewart has made requisition for ammunition.
Colonel, please push our guns and powder and shot along, and let me have the Mohawk for my service here for a little while. The Grampus is on sentinel duty.
I am, very respectfully, yours,
A.B. GRAY, Captain, C.S. Army.
NASHVILLE, August 21,1861.
HonorableL.P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Confederate States:
SIR: I have the honor to inform you I have conferred with Governor Harris and the military board of this State in relation to the transfer of military stores from the State of Tennessee to the Confederate States.
