Furthermore, the evacuation of Wagner does not necessarily involve immediate abandonment of Gregg, which, with reduced garrison, and with sharpshooters filling the sand-hills between it and Wagner, may be held for several days longer.

When obliged to quit either work, the guns must be thoroughly disabled, by spiking, knocking off trunnions, cutting and burning carriages and bomb-proofs, and by blowing up the magazines and parapets.

In view of the great improbability of an assault, may it not be well to reduce the garrison to a minimum to-morrow morning, just about 2 o'clock?

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., July 24, 1863.

Brigadier General R. S. RIPLEY, & C.:

GENERAL: The commanding general desires five of the 8-inch naval guns, now in the casemates at Fort Sumter, to be sent, via Fort Johnson, to the new battery on James Island, designated as Battery Cheves; also another from Battery Haig, on Stono, with the necessary amount and species of ammunition.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., July 24, 1863.

Brigadier General R. S. RIPLEY,

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

GENERAL: Your notes of this date, communicating the fact of the damage inflicted on the work and armament of Battery Wagner, have been laid before the commanding general, who wishes General Taliaferro informed that that work must be held and fought to the last extremity consonant with legitimate war.

Meantime, the garrison may be assured that every proper preparation will be made to withdraw them when their longer maintenance of the position shall be fruitless; and, to secure that end, you will make all necessary arrangements.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. FIRST MIL. DIST., DEPT. S. C., GA., AND FLA.,
Charleston, July 24, 1863.

Captain W. F. NANCE, Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: In compliance with your instructions, we proceeded, at half past 9 this morning, in the steamer Alice, under flag of truce, to the enemy's vessels off the harbor, for the purpose of delivering up, under parole, the wounded officers and men captured in the recent assaults upon Morris Island. The firing of the enemy con