HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., March 28, 1863.

Brigadier General W. S. WALKER,

Commanding Third Military District, Pocotaligo:

GENERAL: By paragraph VI, Special Orders, Numbers 52, headquarters of this department, a copy of which was sent to Major-General Hunter, U. S. Army, through the blockading fleet off this harbor, communication by flags of truce was prohibited by way of the Savannah River. It appears, however, that flags are still sent that way. You will therefore transmit to Major-General Hunter, commanding United States forces in this department, the duplicate of the orders in question, and inform him that Brigadier-General Mercer has been instructed to receive no more flags within the waters of the Savannah River except in some extreme exceptional case.

Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

CHARLESTON, S. C., March 28, 1863.

Brigadier General H. W. MERCER,

Savannah, Ga.:

If Yankee letter plainly indicate future attack on Fort McAllister then suspend removal of 10-inch guns; not otherwise.

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., March 28, 1863.

Brigadier General H. W. MERCER,

Commanding District of Georgia, Savannah:

GENERAL: Major-General Hunter having been furnished with an official copy of paragraph VI, Special Orders, Numbers 52, from these headquarters, his recent communications with you are in disregard of that order. It is therefore direction of the commanding general that hereafter flags sent otherwise than a prescribed in that order, copy herewith, small not be received by you.

He moreover desires you to communicate his views in this connection to Flag-Officer Tatnall, to the end that except in some extreme case no flag of truce shall be received from the enemy within the waters of the Savannah River.

The general order of the enemy relating to the subject of paroles will be submitted to the War Department before it will be published or acted upon.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

CHARLESTON, S. C., March 28, 1863.

Honorable C. G. MEMMINGER,

Secretary of the Treasury, Richmond, Va.:

DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 24th instant has come to hand. I have the advantage of knowing already Mr. W. S. Bennett, of this city, and will take the earliest opportunity to converse with him relative to the