HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., April 7, 1864.

Brigadier General W. B. TALIAFERRO:

GENERAL: I am directed by the commanding general to inform you that instructions have been given the engineer department to have torpedoes again placed in the Stono and to have the raft thrown across the river, as requested in your letter of the 16th instant.*

I am further directed to inform you that it is the opinion of the commanding general that the movement of the enemy referred to in your letter of the above-mentioned date was a reconnaissance in force for future positive or false operations.

Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

JNO. M. OTEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHARLESTON, S. C., April 17, 1864-8 a. m.

Major General PATTON ANDERSON,

Camp Milton, Fla.:

If movement of troops can be expedited by marching part of way, order it. Order Lieutenant-Colonel Jones to report at Savannah immediately.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Camp Milton, April 17, 1864.

Major E. C. SIMKINS,

Chief Quartermaster, Baldwin:

MAJOR: The major-general commanding desires me to ask you for replies to the following questions: What time will there be another train here to take the troops now waiting, and the guns of the Siege Train? Have you any train ready at Waldo for the fifty-ninth Virginia regiment, and when do you expect it at Baldwin? this train should, on reaching Baldwin, go on, if possible, at once to Lake City, and the troops be pushed through to Madison without delay.

Awaiting your answer, I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. G. BARTH,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Camp Milton, April 17, 1864.

General JOSEPH FINEGAN,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that Colquitt's brigade, the Thirty-second Georgia Regiment, Wheaton's battery,

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*See Part I, p. 155.

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