It is understood from the meager reports made to these headquarters of the movements of the flag sent in by Admiral Dahlgren yesterday, that that flag was permitted to penetrate well into the harbor, and certainly was not made to communicate with Battery Marshall, as prescribed in department orders.

The commanding general desires that you shall call for an explanation from the officer on Sullivan's Island who may be justly held accountable for such details.

Attention should be called to the order in question;.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. S. C., GA., AND FLA., Numbers 178.
Charleston, S. C., September 9, 1863.

* * * *

By command of General Beauregard:

JNO. M. OTEY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHARLESTON, S. C.,

September 10, 1863-8 a. m.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

Enemy busy at Battery Wagner, under fire of James Island batteries, preparing, doubtless, position for heavy Parrott guns against Fort Moultrie and Sullivan's Island batteries. Am making all necessary arrangements accordingly. Prisoners taken at Sumter report garrison flag captured yesterday identical one Anderson lowered April 13, 1863. Four enemy's launches, stoked in, are run on Morris Island beach.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

CHARLESTON, S. C.,

September 10, 1863.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

Can I be authorized to present to State of South Carolina garrison flag captured yesterday, intended by enemy to float over ruins of Sumter? Am informed it is the same which floated there when that fort surrendered to me in 1861.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[Indorsement.]

Answered by Secretary of War, affirmatively.