[Third indorsement.]

OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL,

Hilton Head, S. C., August 7, 1864.

Respectfully returned.

There is no provost guard nor has been at Bay Point by my orders. There were some men sent there by Colonel Littlefield, to whom I gave papers and instructions to the effect to arrest all men, deserters from the Second U. S. Colored Battery or any other deserters, that might be found belonging to colored troops.

JOHN A. HENNESSY,

Captain, 52nd Pennsylvania Volunteers, Provost-Marshal.

[Fourth indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., August 7, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Colonel M. S. Littlefield, general superintendent recruiting service, Department of the South, for investigation and report.

These papers to be returned with the report called for.

By command of Major General J. G. Foster:

W. L. M. BURGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Fifth indorsement.]

OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-General, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,

Hilton Head, S. C., August 7, 1864.

Respectfully returned, with indorsement from Captain Hennessy, district provost-marshal.

The guard sent by Colonel Littlefield have either misunderstood or exceeded their instructions in exercising an authority within the jurisdiction of the naval department. I had no knowledge of this party going to Bay Point. I am very certain that no discourtesy was intended, and if I had been aware that the party was ordered on this duty, I would have given them such instructions as would have prevented the cause of the present complaint.

JAMES F. HALL,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Provost-Marshal-General.

[Inclosure.]

BAY POINT, S. C., August 6, 1864.

Rear-Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,

Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron:

SIR: I have the report that last evening a provost guard from Hilton Head arrested 19 laborers employed by Mr. Murphy, also 4 men employed on the wharf by Acting Master Rhoades, by orders of Commander William Reynolds, all of them being contrabands.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. S. GARDNER,

Acting Master in Charge.

All Mr. Murphy's work in cutting piles, and all his other work, is suspended by the arrest of these men.

WM. REYNOLDS,

Commander, Commanding Naval Depot.