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

NAVY DEPARTMENT, C. S., Richmond, Va., October 23, 1861.

HonorableSECRETARY OF WAR:

SIR: Brigadier General D. H. Hill, in a report upon the condition of certain coast defenses of North Carolina, informs me that "Fort Macon cannot be held without four more effective guns of long range"; and he calls upon this Department to furnish him with "six additional rifled guns, four for Fort Macon and two for Roanoke Island." I regret to say that I cannot furnish these guns, and respectfully refer the subject to you.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy.

YORKTOWN, October 23, 1861.

S. COOPER, Adjutant-General:

The enemy can land anywhere on the coast of York River within 8 miles of this place blew us, and between such point of landing and this place there are no defensible positions. Heavy re-enforcement are therefore necessary, as I consider this post in imminent danger. Everything has been done that could possibly the done with the means at my disposal. If there are not means to afford them in Richmond, I would respectfully suggest that all the cavalry companies there may be armed with rifles or shot-guns, be dismounted, and sent here forthwith, and that all the armed infantry disposable be also sent, with the full supply of ammunition. The enemy's fleet at Fort Monroe amounts to seventy sail. Please send down also 50,000 cartridges for the Minie muskets, 30,000 for the Enfield, 20,000 thousand for pistols, 50,000 for Sharp's carbines, and 150,000 for the percussion muskets, and send the proper proportion of caps for each. I am much embarrassed from transportation. Please send 200 ambulances and 50 wagons. All these things have been required for repeatedly, and have no doubt been supplied as fast as the proper departments could do so, but they are now absolutely necessary. I cannot too strongly urge upon the Department the sending immediately such heavy rifled cannon as can possibly be spared, with the ammunition and everything that may be necessary to them, and particularly that the flannel cylinders may be filled there with the proper charges of powder. Colonel Gorgas will oblige me by letting us know what is the proper charge for the rifled 10-inch guns already sent and for any other rifled guns that may be sent.

J. BANKEHAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding.

YORKTOWN, October 23, 1861.

General S. COOPER:

The light-ship bright round from East River by Colonel Crump and Captain Page a day or two since has been ordered to assist in transportating troops, their stores, &c.; also the heavy guns and their ammunition, implements, &c. She is capable of carrying 500 men at a time, with their stores.

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General.