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

tant island is in want of men and guns. It should have at least six more rifled cannon. Feeling that everything depended upon holding it, I came up last night to apply to the Navy Department for ordnance and ordnance stores. I found Commodore Forrest, Captain Fairfax, and General Huge fully as much concerned about the island as I was, but hey could be nothing for me without your order. Under these circumstances I most earnestly appeal to you for six additional rifled cannon, four for Fort Macon and two for Roanoke Island. There ought to be, however, four at least for the latter place. I am confident that Manassas itself is not more important than it.

With great respect,

D. H. HILL, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS OF FORCES, Roanoke Island, N. C., October 18, 1861.

Major General B. HUGER:

GENERAL: You letter of the 16th is just received. I am greatly embarrassed. I am ready to go to Hatteras, and would have been there to-day, as the weather is just right-wind from the southwest-but for an order of General Hill, a copy of which I here with inclose. I have a number of flats or large fish-boats, enough to transport and land 1,200 or 1,500 men. The commodore's fleet is here, and he is willing and anxious to make the attack. I do not believe the enemy are 8,000 strong, as General Hill seems to think, and, if he wishes, can whip him with 1,200 or 1,500 good men, just such as I have here. I do not like the idea of letting the rascals off without another flogging. For God's sake, and our country's too, send down a few more men and let me go at them. I send the Cussatuc back immediately. There is no other boat here. All the barges have been sent to Norfolk. I am very sorry that General Hill interposed and ordered me to reaming on the defensive. I thought, and still think, that he should not have given me this order, as I was acting under orders from you; but I was left no discretion and had to obey. The men under my command are, as you know, here with but little clothing. The winter is fast approaching. and, if possible, I would like to get the overcoats we captured on the Fanny to give out to the men. Will you do us the great favor to write to Commodore Lynch or the Navy Department in relation to our getting them.Please allow me to suggest that the quartermaster being to make arrangements for our winter quarters at Norfolk, if we are to return there. It seems a difficult matter to get our batteries ready for action. Ammunition and the implements to work the guns at Weir Point battery are still wanting. The battery at Roberts' Fishery is complete; carriages up, but no guns to mount. The small battery on the Roanoke Sound (Midgett's Hammock) will be commenced to-morrow, and I shall push on the work on an entrenched camp as soon as possible.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. R. WRIGHT.

[Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT, October 17, 1861.

Colonel A. R. Wright, commanding Confederate States forces on Roanoke Island, will retain the troops sent down from Norfolk until further orders.