battery during the operationsl against Pulaski, evidently for the purpose of reconnoitering the island. I caused a few shells to be thrown there, and subsequently caused a sufficient force to be sent over under the command of Lieutenant Hurst, of the Forty-eighth New York Volunteers, but were too late to effect the capture of any of the party. Captains Travis, of this regiment, who commands a company on Daufuskie Island, also reports that some twenty camp-fires were visible for the last two nights on the mainland opposite Cooper River, and that several of the enemy's small boats have recently been down in the creek skirting Savage Island, and within sight of his pickets. Captain Travis has a 6-pounder howitzer at Cooper River, and considers himself able to hold the position, unless the enemy should land any considerable force at more than one point.

I have the honor to be, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. B. BARTON,

Colonel, Commanding Post.

[14.]

HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, &C.,
Fort Pulaski, Ga., July 29, 1862.

Captain BACON:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that about midnight last night one of the enemy's steamers was seen in the Savannah River off Cunningham's Point-the southeastern end of Jones Island-heading toward the mouth of Wright's River, and evidently engaged, by means of small boats, in sounding out the channel. As I judged the steamer to be within long range of our heavy guns, I immediately directed a fire to be opened upon her with shell from the 10-inch columbiad on the northwestern angle of the fort. We could not judge with much accuracy of the effect of our shot, but after a short time the vessel withdrew out of range, taking up a position farther up the river, off Long Island, where she remained some time and then apparently returned to Savannah. In my opinion it is by no means impossible for a steamer to run the blockade and get to sea by either of the two following routes, viz: Running under the fire of the fort for a short distance and entering Wright's River at its mouth through Wall's Cut, Bull River, PUll-and-be-Damned Creek, Cooper River, and Calibogue Sound, and thus to sea by the channel, nearly three miles distant from our battery at the Martello Tower, or down Mud River, entering Wright's River entirely out of range of the fort for the rest of the distance by the route named above, and thus through Wall's Cut. This last course is entirely practicable for vessels of light draft at extreme high tides, and under present arrangements not the least opposition could be offered on our part. A gun-boat or two in Calibogue Sound near the mouth of Cooper River would render the blockade effectual. I would respectfully submit that a small tug or steamer is urgently and constantly needed for duty at this post. As the condenser recently put up here has thus far failed to supply more than a third of the amount of water needed for daily use, we are obliged to bring the balance from Tybee Island. Our fuel is also brought from the same place, as also the plank and lumber used in the construction of platforms and repairs of the fort. We are, more over, dependent upon a small boat for our communication through Braddock's Point with headquarters, and in stormy weather this mode