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

companies of cavalry, to be posted each side of the river, say at Smithville on one side and at Confederate (Federal) Point on the other, and a reserve of 2,000 men at Wilmington (these forces in additional to the garrison of Fort Caswell, 300); Teek's Island, 100, and of Fort Fisher, on Confederate Point, 300. To make up this force it will be necessary to send here immediately four full regiments of infantry, three companies of cavalry, and horses for the light batteries I will endeavor to have made here. In my opinion the safety of this position is so surely menaced that the immediate supply of the forces and munitions named above may alone prevent the loss of all. And in addition to the force above mentioned, which may be overpowered by numbers, I recommend most earnestly that three regiments be posted at Golsborough as a reserve, to be moved here or to Beaufort as circumstances may require.

Having no doubt of the willingness of the authorities and people of this State to do all in their power to repel the invasion, and as the danger is so imminent, I take the liberty of inclosing a copy of this commutation to his excellency the governor of the State, with a request that he will send me without delay the required force in regiments or companies, provided you have not enough at this time subject to your control for this service.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

J. R. ANDERSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Raleigh, N. C., September 24, 1861.

HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War:

The occupation of Hatteras by the enemy gives them to command of the population on the sea beach, and affords them a fine position from which they can make inroads into or adjoining counties, and rumors have been quite current that our citizens on the banks had taken the oath of allegiance, being confined on the island, out of reach of intercourse or assistance, and that their influence and example were spearheading on the main-land.

I have just had information from there which assures me that none beyond the island had been infected; but seven or eight islanders had come over into Hyde County, bringing proclamations with them, and offering inducements to the citizens to take the oath of ligeance. These persons were immediately arrested, and are now held as prisoners.

In our State there is no law of treason which will reach these men, and as they are now held by the officers of the Confederate Army, I should like to know what disposition to make of them.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

HENRY T. CLARK.

42 R R-VOL IV