CHARLESTON, S. C., May 2, 1863.

Major General S. B. BUCKNER, Mobile, Ala.:

Have just sent two brigades to North Carolina. Cannot spare more at present. May hereafter.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

CHARLESTON, May 2, 1863.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

Giraffe reported to have Whitworth guns. Cannot two be spared me for the purpose previously indicated?

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, May 2, 1863.

General BEAUREGARD, Charleston, S. C.:

Advices show the enemy abandoning their attacks on the eastern coasts; are concentrating great forces on the Mississippi. Send with the utmost dispatch 8,000 or 10,000 men, including those ordered heretofore, to Tullahoma to General Pemberton's relief.

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., May 2, 1863.

Lieutenant Colonel JOSEPH A. YATES, Commanding, &c.:

COLONEL: Your letter of the 29th ultimo * to Captain Nance, assistant adjutant-general, has been laid before the commanding general, who approves of what you have done in connection with Emanuel's cavalry, but desires it to be impressed on your mind that the preservation of Murray's Inlet as a port of entry for blockade runners is not regarded as of very great military importance. Of course you will afford such protection as your limited resources will permit, and will be on the alert to punish the enemy in that quarter should a favorable opportunity be opened to you; but it is not the wish of the commanding general that any points now occupied should be left uncovered in order to maintain the inlet in question as a port of entry.

It is expected that General Ripley at no distant day may be able to increase your force and enhance the efficiency of your command.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

CHARLESTON, S. C., May 2, 1863.

Honorable W. PORCHER MILES,

Member of Congress, Richmond, Va.:

DEAR COLONEL: Your several letters to the 29th ultimo relative to heavy guns and torpedo rams have been received. I regret the diffi-

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*See p. 921.

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