port of General Hagood, and that the troops from Savannah will also be dispatched to James Island,upon their arrival. In the absence and by command of Brigadier-General Ripley.

WM. F. NANCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SECESSIONVILLE, July 12, 1863-9.25 a.m.

CAPTAIN; Everything remarkably quiet last night and this morning to date. Will send fuller dispatch in a short time. I want an active engineer officer immediately. In front of the western lines [it] is so overgrown as to make them almost untenable. Can do that with soldiers. Absolutely necessary, in my opinion to fortify at once and strongly, Legares Point, Mellichamps, &c. The whole island can be made uneatable by a lodgment there. Must have strong negro force, and a clever engineer, if this is to be done in time. Georgia troops not arrived.

JOHNSON HAGOOD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Captain NANCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General,

[Indorsement.]

HDQRS. FIRST MIL. DIST., DEPT. S. C., GA., AND FLA.,
Charleston, July 12, 1863

Respectfully forwarded, and attention called to the remarks of General Hagood.

R. S. RIPLEY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

SECESSIONVILLE, July 13, 1863

CAPTAIN: No change in the last twenty-four hours. Exploded 7 or 8 shell on Black Island, from Legare's place, with a 12-pounder, rifled. Elicited no reply. But few men visible on the island.

JOHNSON HAGOOD,

Brigadier-General.

Captain NANCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SECESSIONVILLE, July 133, 1863-7.15 p.m.

CAPTAIN: The lookout reports that the enemy on Morris Island are being largely re-enforced from Folly Island. A number of pieces of light artillery have been already landed.

JOHNSON HAGOOD,

Brigadier-General.

Captain NANCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS, JAMES ISLAND,

July 13, 1863

I beg leave respectfully to repeat my suggestion, made by telegraph yesterday, that our lines on this island be extended from their present eastern terminus to the rear along the water front as far as Le-