MOUNT PLEASANT, December 11, 1863.

Brigadier-General JORDAN:

I fear the cotton in the casemates of the gorge at Sumter has been set on fire. Have ordered the mortars of Sullivan's Island to open heavily on Gregg, if the enemy continues his fire. I do not apprehend much damage unless the fire gets to the rafters of the bomb-proof.

R. S. RIPLEY,

Brigadier-General.

CHARLESTON, S. C.,

December 11, 1863.

Brigadier General JOHNSON HAGOOD,

Commanding Seventh Military District, Royal's:

Your mortars should engage the attention of the enemy on Morris Island, to divert him from Fort Sumter while it is on fire, as now reported. Answer.

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

CHARLESTON, S. C.,

December 11, 1863.

Brigadier General JOHNSON HAGOOD,

Royal's House:

have directed Colonel Harrison to send 100 men to Fort Sumter.

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

FORT JOHNSON,

December 11, 1863 - 9.15 p. m.

Lieutenant S. C. BOYLSTON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General:

The colonel is here. Has ordered 100 men of the reserve stationed here to go to Fort Sumter. Have necessary orders from General Beauregard sent down to Colonel Harrison. Steamer will be at southern wharf in three hours.

have a fire engine ready to go to Fort Sumter. Have also as many of the following articles ready as soon as possible to send down: Torch and turpentine, for signal corps; a signal officer ordered down; hand-grenades; 100 rounds of howitzer ammunition; 5,000 musket cartridges; 200 muskets; thirty days' rations and a commissary officer; a hand-saw; cross-cut saw; two cross-cut saw files; 200 yards submarine cable; set of instruments for telegraphs, and lead-pencil and writing paper, for telegraph operator.

forty men were killed and wounded by the explosion of small-arms ammunition. Captain Frost, acting commissary subsistence, among the killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott slightly wounded. Three of Gaillard's men killed and 2 wounded. Among killed is Sergeants Swanston.