CHAP. XIII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.

do so, as I will try and get along without them; but if I find that I cannot, I will try and get them here. We hope to have seven guns mounted in the Pork Point battery to-night, and will commence on the Weir Point battery so soon as we can get the engineers to look after the work. He needs assistance immediately if the work is to advance rapidly.

We are well, and the men are working cheerfully. No late news from the Hessians.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. R. WRIGHT.

RALEIGH, September 7, 1861.

S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy:

The British ship Alliance, at Beaufort, communicated with a British war steamer off the post yesterday, which informed them that the blockading fleet would attack Fort Macon to-morrow. I hope the fort is ready, but they have no gunners who can manage the guns, and the same complaint is made at Fort Caswell. Can it be supplies with officers who understand the use of guns?

HENRY T. CLARK.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Raleigh, N. C., September 7, 1861.

HonorableL. P. WALKER, Secretary of War:

SIR: Allow me to call your attention to the situation of the forts and batteries on the coasts of North Carolina. They are garrisoned with our volunteers in sufficient force, but their officers are all taken from the ordinary occupations of civil life, with no military instruction or education except what they have acquired amidst the labors of camp life, and I hear serious complaint of the inefficiency of all the gun batteries from the want of instructions or suitable drill-masters.

The first on the sounds have been captured, and I am glad to know that Fort Macon had recently had some attention from the Navy officers who ar ow out of employ. but Fort Caswell and the batteries at the mouth of Cape Fear River are in urgent need of suitable officers for that purpose. I have received a petition from the people of Cape Fear to send them aid in this particular, and they suggested that probably Captain Whiting or Captain John A. Brown could be sent to them, and I should be pleased if these gentlemen or any others might be sent them.

Allow me a further suggestion, that, as our coast is now invaded and possessed by the enemy in a vital point and threatened at various other immediately, the command is too extensive for the observation and care of one. The Cape Fear must have several regiments,and is distinctly and widely separated from the defense of Pamlico and Albemarle, and General Gatlin's undivided attention is now demanded at once of the three divisions. I don't know what duty or division is assigned to General Anderson, but if it is confined to the coast defense, that is over 300 miles long, with no facilities of travel, and a portion of it divided by the actual possession of the enemy. Under these circumstances i would suggest the assignment of General Hill to the Cape Fear forces. His military experience and success would given decided tone to that command.

Very respectfully,

HENRY T. CLARK.