complete the James Island Bride as soon as possible. Captain Gray, of the Engineers, will report to Major Elliott, with his torpedo arrangements, already prepared, for Light-House Inlet.

* * * * * * *

By command of General Beauregard:

JNO. M. OTEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from return of the army in the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, General G. T. Beauregard commanding, for the period ending August 10, 1863; headquarters Charleston, S. C.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Effective

total present.

First Military 669 8,458 9,180

District

Second 62 884 1,011

Military

District

Third Military 135 2,177 2,491

District

Fourth 57 659 782

Military

District

District of 233 3,040 3,549

Georgia

District of 106 2,094 2,242

Middle Florida

District of 74 1,087 1,135

East Florida

Total 1,336 18,399 20,390

Command. Aggregate Aggregate Pieces of

present. present and field

absent. artillery.

First Military 11,220 15,676 ..............

District

Second 1,123 1,517 8

Military

District

Third Military 2,889 3,497 19

District

Fourth 960 1,443 12

Military

District

District of 4,288 5,561 16

Georgia

District of 2,677 3,486 ..............

Middle Florida

District of 1,318 1,850 13

East Florida

Total 24,475 33,030 68

CHARLESTON, S. C., August 11, 1863-7 a. m.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

Heavy firing on both sides yesterday afternoon, with little damage. Our works are progressing.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

ENGINEER BUREAU,

Richmond, Va., August 11, 1863.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Charleston, S. C.:

Cannot your engineers establish batteries on the marsh, just east of Light-House Creek, by placing heavy ranging timbers, say 30 feet long, to form platform to support the guns and sand-bags for parapets? Get cover first by placing sand-bags on planks, then establish the timber platform and more substantial parapets in rear. The timber can be rafted up Light-House Creek from the harbor.

J. F. GILMER,

Colonel of Engineers, and Chief of Bureau.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF MIDDLE FLORIDA,
Quincy, August 11, 1863.

Brigadier General THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff, Charleston, S. C.:

GENERAL: I would respectfully call the attention of the commanding general to the inclosed communication from Governor