FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA,

Mount Pleasant, May 22, 1864.

Colonel PETER BONNEAU,

Commanding Nineteenth South Carolina, Militia:

COLONEL: You will proceed with all possible dispatch to assemble the Nineteenth South Carolina Militia Regiment under your command. The regiment will rendezvous forthwith at Bonneau's place and await orders.

By command of Brigadier-General Ripley:

E. M. SEABROOK,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHARLESTON, S. C., May 22, 1864.

Brigadier General WILLIAM B. TALIAFERRO,

Royall's House, James Island:

Send back the troops forwarded you as you can spare them. It is important that they leave for Virginia as soon as practicable. Advise the quartermaster here of transportation needed. Display them as conspicuously as you can to the enemy before leaving. A little theatrical arrangement may double the number.

SAM JONES,

Major-General.

CHARLESTON, S. C., May 22, 1864.

Brigadier General WILLIAM B. TALIAFERRO,

Royall's House, James Island:

If the peninsula occupied by the enemy on James Island is commanded by the enemy's gun-boats and batteries on Long Island, do not attempt to drive them away. Captain Feilden will go down and see you this evening.

SAM. JONES,

Major-General.

CHARLESTON, S. C., May 22, 1864.

Brigadier General WILLIAM B. TALIAFERRO,

Royall's House, James Island:

Retain all the troops I have sent to you until further orders. Conceal them for the present, but in position for immediate use, and entice the enemy on, if you can, unless you ascertain that they are intrenching and establishing batteries. If that is the case, they must be driven off at all hazards. Keep me constantly informed of what is going on.

SAM. JONES,

Major-General.

CHARLESTON, S. C., May 22, 1864.

Brigadier General WILLIAM B. TALIAFERRO,

Royall's House, James Island:

We do not propose to occupy the ground on James Island now held by the enemy, but it is very desirable that they should be dis-

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