I know that good motives could only have actuated General Ripley in issuing such an order. His activity and untiring zeal are familiar to al in his military district. Doubtless he did not intend to disregard the general orders alluded to above; but the fact of his having done so, whether willingly or not, is very palpable, however, and was calculated to delay, instead of advancing, the completion of the works he was so anxious to have in operation.

In conclusion, I would suggest that Captain L. Cheves be reinstated in the direction of the works on Morris Island; that proper steps be taken to insure prompt transportation of all material required by the engineer department, and that the details of men on the bridges and causeways from James to Morris Island be increased to at least double the number actually employed on said work.

Respectfully,

ALFRED ROMAN,

Lieutenant Colonel, and Assistant Inspector-General.

Troops in the Second and Third Military Districts, June 19, 1863.

SECOND MILITARY DISTRICT.

Brigadier General JOHNSON HAGOOD.

7th South Carolina Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel P. H. Nelson.

6th South Carolina Cavalry, Colonel H. K. Aiken.

Rebel Troop, Captain J. L. Seabrook.

Stono Scouts, Captain J. B. L. Walpole.

Chesnut (South Carolina) Artillery,* Captain F. C. Schulz.

Marion (South Carolina) Artillery, Captain Edward L. Parker.

Washington (South Carolina) Artillery, Captain George H. Walter.

THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT.

Brigadier General W. S. WALKER.

11th South Carolina, Colonel F. H. Gantt.

Palmetto (South Carolina) Battalion, Company A, Captain William E. Earle.

Beaufort (South Carolina) Artillery, Captain Thomas H. Bomar.

Lafayette (South Carolina) Artillery, Captain J. T. Kanapaux.

Nelson (Virginia) Light Artillery, Captain James N. Lamkin.

Rutledge Mounted Rifles,+ Captain W. L. Trenholm.

3rd South Carolina Cavalry, Colonel C. J. Colcock.

4th South Carolina Cavalry, Colonel B. Huger Rutledge.

Partisan Rangers (one company), Captain M. J. Kirk.

HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., June 20, 1863.

Brigadier General R. S. RIPLEY,

Commanding First Military District, Charleston, S. C.:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 24th of May, relative to the general services of the engineers in your district, was, together with the communications

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*Company F, Palmeto Battalion.

+Serving as horse artillery.

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