OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER,

Charleston, October 21, 1863.

Brigadier-General JORDAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General, and Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: In reply to your inquiries, whether any work on the iron shield for Sumter has been commenced, I have the honor to report that instructions were given Major Echols on the 15th instant to supply the requisite timber for the work. I have the honor to submit the inclosed report from Major Echols on the subject.

Mr. Thomas Cason, to whom the iron work has been instructed, promises to perform it as soon as he is supplied with the timber.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. B. HARRIS,

Colonel, and Chief Engineer.

[Inclosure.]

C. S. ENGINEER'S OFFICE,

Charleston, October 20, 1863.

Colonel D. B. HARRIS,

Chief Engineer of Department:

COLONEL: I have to report that the department is out of heavy timber suitable for the shield at Fort Sumter. Transportation has been required for it, but has not arrived.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. H. ECHOLS,

Major, and Chief Engineer, South Carolina.

FORT PEMBERTON,

James Island, S. C., October 21, 1863.

Captain GEORGE G. GRATTAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: Yesterday the two-masted gunboat of the enemy ascended the Stono River to a position opposite Grimball's, on John's Island, and fired 2 shots on John's Island and 2 on James Island. Captain Hayne says this is the fourth Tuesday in succession that a gunboat has run up the river. Under similar circumstances, the gunboat Isaac P. Smith was captured on the 30th of January last.

I would most respectfully ask the attention of the brigadier-general commanding to the matter. Batteries were place at Grimball's, on James Island, and at Battery Island, or near it.

Very respectfully,

J. JONATHAN LUCAS,

Major, Commanding Lucas' Battalion Artillery.

[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEFENSES,
James Island, October 22, 1863.

Respectfully forwarded.

A. H. COLQUITT,

Brigadier-General.