HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., June 11, 1864.

Brigadier General A. SCHIMMELFENNIG,

Commanding North. Dist., Dept. of the South, Folly Island, S. C.:

I am instructed by the major-general commanding to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of then 10th instant,* and to state that your orders for placing the booms in Stono River are approved.

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

W. L. M. BURGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. NORTHERN DISTRICT, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,
Folly Island, S. C., June 11, 1864.

Colonel WILLIAM HEINE,

Commanding Post:

I am instructed by the general commanding to state that Captain McKenna has received orders to construct a boom across from the piles in the Stono River to the Cole's Island, and to direct that you furnish Captain McKenna with facilities to aid in this work.

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

W. B. DEAN,

Lieutenant, 127th New York Volunteers, A. A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., June 13, 1864.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff, Armies of the U. S., Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, a copy of a letter received from Rear-Admiral J. A. Dahlgren, commanding South Atlantic Blockade Squadron, showing that since the capture of the Water Witch the weakness of the squadron has caused the admiral to withdraw from the inside blockade of many of the sounds and rivers in the department.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]

FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,

Off Morris Island, S. C., June 10, 1864.

Major General J. G. FOSTER,

Commanding Dept. of the South, Hdqrs. Hilton Head:

GENERAL: I received yours of the 8th instant, inclosing copy of a note from General Hatch. It would give me pleasure to comply with his suggestions, but the reduced number of vessels in the squadron prevent me from efficiently blockading existing stations, and will compel me to withdraw from some of them unless speedily re-enforced, All the vessels of the squadron are very short-handled,

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* See Part I, p. 63.

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