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

spare, without the delay and hinderance of and application in any other quarter, was duly submitted to the Secretary of the Navy, who has control of the ordnance referred to. He has returned your letter to this office with the following indorsement, viz: We have sent from Norfolk to North Carolina, up the July 15, 203 guns; in addition, up to 2nd October, 39-in all 242 guns, including six riffled 32-pounders. We have rifled and banded 23 guns, six of which have gone to North Carolina, and we cannot send any more rifled guns at present, or vessels being in want of them. Two additional were ordered yesterday to North Carolina.

S. R. M., Secretary of Navy.

Flag-Officer Lynch, of Confederates States Navy, is charged with the naval defenses of the coast of North Carolina. He is now at Roanoke Island, and it is suggested that you confer with him in regard to the armament of the coast within your district, as he may be able to give you more information on the subject than may possibly be had elsewhere.

I am, respectfully, &c.,

S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, Yorktwon, Va., October 3, 1861.

Colonel A. C. MYERS, Quartermaster-General, C. S. Army:

SIR: I am instructed by General Magruder to state that, in consequence of the arrival of six additional regiments on the Peninsula without being accompanied by any means for their future transportation, he is seriously embarrassed in his contemplated change of position. The main body of troops have taken up a line some distance below their former location, and it is of the utmost importance that their supplies should be kept in advance some days, in order to facilitate any rapid movement against the enemy. The present number of wagons is inadequate for this purpose, and consequently the movements are greatly restricted. The roads in this neighborhood are exceedingly rough and bad in winter, and it is certainly requisite that the supply wagons should be one to each company on hand. The number of ambulances is extremely limited, some of the regiments having none whatever; and, in case of a severe action, would not be sufficient for one-half the army. The number of wagons required to make out our quota is forty-five and the number of ambulances fifteen. These are absolutely necessary for the efficient of the command.

I am, sir, yours, respectfully, W. A. ALSTON, Aide-de-Camp.

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, Executive Department, Raleigh, October 3, 1861.

HonorableJ. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War:

SIR: Your letter of the 24th September informs me that the President desires me to issue my proclamation calling out the militia in the counties bordering on Albermarle and Pamlico Sounds. I have given much consideration to the matter, and have concluded to ask a further consultation with you before it is done.