HDQRS. FIRST SUB-DIVISION FIRST MILITARY DIST.,
Secessionville, May 25, 1863.

Captain W. F. NANCE, Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: I have had the enemy observed from a point supposed to be about 900 yards from the extremity of Big Folly Island, nearest Sout Folly, by a lieutenant of Twenty-fifth Regiment. He saw five earthworks, apparently redans. They extended from that end of Big Folly up the island for the distance of about a half mile. The work on their right flank and that on their left run out on the beach opposite James Island; the other works were more toward the interior of the island, within the wood. They may or may not be connected by aline of infantry entrenchments. He saw no guns. Lieutenant Samuel Dibble-the officer alluded to-is an officer of just intelligence and of good judgment. He thinks that these are the works of an entrenched camp, the tents of which he saw within the limits of these woods. The enemy shelled the pickets at Legare's for about a half hour to-day at 10-11 o'clock from a gunboat and battery in Folly River.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHARLES LH. SIMONTON,

Colonel, Commanding.

Abstract from Return of Troops in the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, commanded by General G. T. Beauregard, May 25, 1863.

Present for duty

Commanding Troops Total Total

officer effective effective

infantry cavalry

Brigadier First Military 2,562 1,145

General R. S. District of

Ripley South Carolina

Brigadier Second 493 818

General J. Military

Hagood District of

South Carolina

Brigadier Third Military 527 1,463

General W. S. District of

Walker South Carolina

Brigadier District of 1,868 1,812

General H. W. Georgia

Mercer

Brigadier District of 788 452

General Middle Florida

Howell Cobb

Brigadier District of 222 441

General East Florida

Joseph Finegan

Colonel J. A. Siege train ............. .............

Gonzales

Grand total ............. 6,460 6,131

Commanding Troops Total Aggregate Aggre-

officer effective present gate

artillery present

and

absent

Brigadier First Military 3,593 8,350 10,253

General R. District of

S. Ripley South Carolina

Brigadier Second 278 1,736 2,056

General J. Military

Hagood District of

South Carolina

Brigadier Third Military 596 2,924 3,478

General W. District of

S. Walker South Carolina

Brigadier District of 2,296 6,988 8,440

General H. Georgia

W. Mercer

Brigadier District of 280 1,701 2,128

General Middle Florida

Howell Cobb

Brigadier District of 140 916 1,249

General East Florida

Joseph

Finegan

Colonel J. Siege train 271 287 342

A. Gonzales

Grand total ............. 7,454 22,902 27,946

NOTE.-Heavy artillery included with light artillery in the First Military District of South Carolina and the District of Georgia.

RECAPITULATION OF EFFECTIVE.

First Military District ................................ 7,300

Second Military District ............................... 1,589 Third Military District ................................ 2,586

District of Georgia .................................... 5,976

District of Middle Florida ............................. 1,520

District of East Florida ............................... 803

Siege train ............................................ 271

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Total effectives ....................................... 20,045

NOTE FROM ORIGINAL RETURN.-Since the returns were consolidated Waties' and Culpeper's light batteries and a detachment of Ferguson's light battery have been ordered to report to General Johnston at Canton, Miss.