SECESSIONVILLE, May 31, 1863.

Captain W. F. NANCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

The enemy's vessels have left Stono Creek and reoccupied their former positions in Stono Bay. The picket lines have been re-established.

CHARLES H. SIMONTON,

Colonel, Commanding.

SECESSIONVILLE, S. C., May 31, 1863.

Captain W. F. NANCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

A strong party of the enemy, say 150 strong, landed at Legare's this morning from Folly River in small boats, and I fear have cut off the cavalry pickets. My dispositions have been made to drive them off or capture them.

CHARLES H. SIMONTON,

Colonel, Commanding.

SECESSIONVILLE, May 31, 1863.

Captain W. F. NANCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

The enemy did not capture any of the pickets. He landed at Legare's but now, to all appearances, is leaving; some by boats down Folly River and some by Battery Island. We are trying to come up with them. One gunboat came up Folly River to Legare's place, and the large three-masted one is up Stono at Battery Island.

CHARLES H. SIMONTON,

Colonel, Commanding.

Statement of the commerce of the port of Charleston for the months of April and May, 1863.

Vessels entered ................................... 15

Vessels cleared ................................... 21

Bales of cotton ................................... 10,003

Pounds of sea island .............................. 171,234

Pounds of upland................................... 4,224,198

Value .............................................$1,971,000

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Receipts from customs for April, 1863 ............. $28,509 78

Receipts from customs for May, 1863 ............... 110,010 62

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Total ............................................. 138,520 40

COLLECTOR'S OFFICE,

Charleston, S. C., June 3, 1863.

W. F. COLCOCK,

Collector.

CONFIDENTIAL.]

HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., June 1, 1863.

H. C. GUERIN,

Major and Chief of Subsistence:

MAJOR: In reply to your communication of May 30 I am instructed by the commanding general to say that the number of troops in the

61 R R-VOL XIV.