[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Hilton Head, S. C., July 27, 1864.

Respectfully referred to General Hatch, to inquire into and punish the carelessness or neglect of duty of our pickets.

J. G. FOSTER,
Major-General, Commanding.

[Second indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS HILTON HEAD DISTRICT, Hilton Head, S. C., July 29,1 864.

Respectfully returned to the major-general commanding, and his attention is invited to the accompanying report* of Captain Pickering, acting assistant inspector-general.

The return of the armed transports to Scull Creek would seem to be the only method of increasing security form attack along the shores of that stream, as Captain Pickering observes. With the small force at our disposal, it is impossible to furnish a complete chain of pickets for the whole distance.

EDWARD E. POTTER,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. NORTHERN DISTRICT, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH, Folly Island, S. C., July 27,1 864.

Major General J. G. FOSTER,

Commanding Department of the South:

GENERAL: On the 25th instant I sent out to the fleet, requesting to be furnished with some clock-work torpedoes. In reply, Captain Green, commanding naval forces before Charleston, informed me that he had none and knew nothing about them, but would forward my letter to Admiral Dahlgren at Hilton Head. I require these torpedoes to destroy the boom around Sumter, which is found, on examination, to exist on the right face, as well as on the right flank and gorge; until the destruction of which no mines can be brought properly in contact with the fort. I address you on the subject, thinking you may be able to obtain these torpedoes for me.

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

A. SCHIMMELFENNIG,

Brigadier-General, Commanding District.

OFFICE CHIEF OF ARTILLERY, NORTHERN DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Folly Island, S. C., July 27, 1864.

Lieutenant W. B. DEAN,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Northern Dist., Dept. of the South:

SIR: I have the honor to report the firing upon Fort Sumter as still continued with good effect. The points against which our fire

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*Not found.

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