I presume, as I directed the boat to be stopped, the report required is expected from me.

When the boat was discovered coming in, a blank cartridge was fired, which caused the boat to stop for a moment; it afterward started again, when a shorted gun was fired across the bow; it again came to, but a short time after it was seen moving in the direction of Sullivan's Island, it having changed its course. A shots was now fired nearer the bow of the boat, which caused it to stop, and soon after a boat was seen coming from the direction of Charleston, bearing a flag of truce and the Confederate ensign. The glad of truce from the enemy was first signaled to stop when off Battery Wagner; it crossed from that point in the direction of a point opposite on Sullivan's Island, and had gone a little more (I think) than half way, when it was finally stopped.

As soon as the boat was seem coming in, I reported the fact to Brigadier-General Clingman, commanding Sullivan's Island. Before his instructions could be carried out, the boat referred to as having come from the direction of the city had approached the enemy's boat.

Flags of truce from the enemy have since come in and communicated with boats from Fort Sumter.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM BUTLER,

Colonel, Commanding.

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

Present for duty

Command Officers Men Effective Aggregate

total present present

First Military 918 11,660 12,748 15,910

District

Second Military 46 868 974 1,104

District

Third Military 130 2,060 2,317 2,762

District

Fourth Military 51 609 699 926

District

District of 229 3,292 3,868 4,840

Georgia

District of 85 1,755 1,853 2,286

Middle Florida

District of 56 1,054 1,076 1,300

East Florida

Total 1,515 21,298 23,535 29,128

Command Aggregate present Pieces of Aggregate last

and absent artillery return

First Military 22,223 49 23,715

District

Second 1,556 10 1,515

Military

District

Third Military 3,446 19 3,421

District

Fourth 1,388 8 1,354

Military

District

District of 6,793 20 7,289

Georgia

District of 2,758 ......... 2,911

Middle Florida

District of 1,943 12 1,955

East Florida

Total 40,107 118 42,160

CHARLESTON, S. C.,

September 11, 1863-8.45 p. m.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

All quiet yesterday and to-day. Iron-clads repairing damages of 8th instant. Enemy putting heavy Parrott guns in position on Morris Island, against Moultrie and Sullivan's Island batteries, as already reported probable. Our batteries annoy them much as practicable, regard being had to proper economy of ammunition.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.