CHAP.XIII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.
night, to avoid being seen by General Huger's troops at Sewell's and Pig Point.
It is absolutely necessary, therefore, that the arrangements for the defenses of Yorktwon should be made without delay, and should be in some degree commensurate with the importance of that place. The subject to which I have repeatedly invited the attention of the War Department,and which have not been attended to successfully, are as follows: 1st. The supplying a battery of six rifled 32-pounder guns for the water defenses at Yorktown, rendered absolutely necessary there, as ships of the heaviest draught of water and in any number can attack that place from positions beyond the reach of our present guns. It is the key to Richmond, and therefore the most important point on our coast, as it is also the most assailable point. 2nd. Some 250 artillerists were required by Colonel Randolph, approved by me, to serve the guns already here, but none have arrived.
3rd. The ammunition for the Navy guns here is extremely limited, not more than 50 rounds for each gun. There should be at least 200 yards each. The answer to requisitions on this subject, both from the Navy Department and the Army ordnance officer, is that there is no powder. If it is so, great injustice has been to the public interests by not having sent a sufficient supply to Yorktwon, for the reasons above given. Furnaces for heating shot for the Navy batteries, which have been repeatedly promised by the chief engineer, Colonel Tolcott, have not been made, though I understand the castings are ready. These have been promised for four months, and are rendered the more necessary from the few rounds of time shell (fixed with fuses) furnished.
Other requisitions have but partially been attended to, to wit: The six carriages in the Navy battery, on which six 8-inch columbaids are mounted, are worthless, as they will be destroyed by the shock of fire of our own guns after a few rounds. Four of these have been replaced by four good carriages lately, but the two others it does not appear it is the intention to change. Again, shells are furnished without fuses. I asked for eight regiments more. Five have been ordered here; four have arrived. The fifth, that of Colonel Howell Cobb, has not yet arrived. It is now most needed here.
I do not write in a complaining or fourth-finding spirit; far from it. All have done their best, doubtless; but I don not think the extreme importance of Yorktown to the whole South, through its beaning upon Richmond, the most strategic point of all, has been properly kept in view, and it is my highest duty to present these facts plainly to the Secretary of War. There are now required, therefore, at this point alone: 1st. A battery of six 32-pounder guns, rifled.
2nd. One hundred and fifty rounds to each additional for the guns already here.
3rd. Ammunition for the 32-pounder rifled guns asked for.
4th. Two hundred and fifty artillerists, say four companies, of 60 or 70 each. These ought to be had easily, as no other arms are required for them than their cannon.
5th. Furnaces for heating shot for the Navy batteries.
6th. Two army barbette carriage for the remaining two columbiads in the Navy battery, already furnished with four army barbette carriages.
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