place in position at the Cummings Point Battery another heavy gun, either a 10-inch columbiad or a 42-pounder rifled piece, which you will please remove from such other position as in your opinion may be least disadvantageous, as, for example, Forts Sumter or Ripley.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

CHARLESTON, S. C., April 4, 1863-12.45 a. m.

Brigadier General W. S. WALKER, Pocotaligo, S. C.:

Send forward Stevens' regiment and Preston's battery at once. hold Cooke's brigade in readiness; three day's provisions and light marching order.

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

CHARLESTON, S. C., April 5, 1863.

JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

Eight monitors and all large steamships left Edisto this morning. Four of the monitors just appeared off the bar. Must refer Department to my estimates of the force necessary in event of attack.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, April 5, 1863.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Charleston, S. C.:

The enemy do not seem concentrating for attack by land. Attack might yet be diverted to Wilmington. Prudence requires that the force there, the only troops possible to be spared, should still be retained. I will telegraph General Whiting to hold Ransom's brigade in readiness.

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

CHARLESTON, S. C., April 5, 1863.

Brigadier General W. H. C. WHITING, Wilmington, N. C.:

Eight monitors and three ironsides off the bar; have made landing of four regiments on Cole's Island. Please have the telegraph line opened to Richmond at once, if possible, for my dispatches.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

HDQRS. SECOND MILITARY DIST. SOUTH CAROLINA,
April 5, 1863.

Brigadier-General JORDAN, Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I inclose description of four additional iron-clads, which came into North Edisto yesterday. There are in that river, reported last night, forty-four vessels of all kinds, including eight monitors and