damaged in the cannonade and bombardment of Fort Sumter in the month of April, 1861. They had been condemned and laid aside, but in the scarcity of heavy guns I had ordered them to be banded and strengthened, and I believe it had been successfully accomplished. They were on board the Planter to go to the Middle Ground Battery when she escaped from this harbor in charge of her colored crew.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. S. RIPLEY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA, Charleston, May 14, 1862.

Brigadier General R. S. RIPLEY,
Commanding Second Military District:

GENERAL: I am instructed by the major-general commanding Department of South Carolina and Georgia to inform you that you will hold yourself in readiness to move with two regiments of infantry of this command to Virginia should the requisition be made.

I am, &c.,

J. R. WADDY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHARLESTON, May 14, 1862.

General LAWTON, Savannah:

Hold two regiments in readiness to move to this point should they be required.

J. R. WADDY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA, Charleston, May 15, 1862.

Brigadier General THOMAS F. DRAYTON,
Commanding Sixth Military District of South Carolina:

GENERAL: The Secretary of War authorizes the connection of the Albany and Gulf Railroad through Savannah with the Central Georgia Railroad, provided the cost to the Confederate Government does not exceed the sum I named, to wit, &6,000. On these conditions I desire you to see the proper authorities on the subject and have the work done at once. Should the expense be less than $12,000 in all the Government will defray only one-half.

J. C. PEMBERTON,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS, Richmond, Va., May 15, 1862.

His Excellency FRANCIS W. PICKENS,

Governor of South Carolina:

GOVERNOR: I have the honor to receive your letter of the 12th in-