is impracticable. The boat (Thomas Foulkes) now in the quartermaster's department is exactly adapted, by her size, &c., for the performance of the service required here.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. B. BARTON,

Colonel, Commanding.

P. S.-I am informed that since the evacuation of Daufuskie Island that negroes are in the habit of crossing and recrossing from Braddock's Point to that place. At least three boats have been across to-day. Is this in accordance with the wishes of the general commadning? Our dispatch boat in coming from Braddock's Point to this post is obliged to pass within rifle shot of Daufuskie Island or make a very long detour to Tybee Light. Are the dispatches not liable to be seized by the enemy if they occupy Daufuskie Island even temporarily? The above communication was forwarded to Major Halpine, although addressed inside to Captain Bacon, the reason being that the latter officer's office at Hilton Head being closed and he gone away.

W. B. BARTON,

Colonel, Commanding.

[14.]

HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, SAVANNAH RIVER,
Fort Pulaski, Ga., August 5, 1862.

Major C. G. HALPINE,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

MAJOR: I have the honor to report that, as stated by me verbally yesterday to the general commanding, about 12 m. on the night of the 4th an unknown steamer, apparently of iron, three masts (propeller), attempted to run the blockade toward Savannah and succeeded in making her way as far as Tybee Lights, when opposite which she was discovered by the lookout on the battery at the Martello Tower. Captain Ferguson, Forty-eighth New York Volunteers, commanding that work, at once opened fire upon her with his 12-pounder James rifle guns, and succeeded in causing her to put to sea, which she did as rapidly as possible. Captain Ferguson is confident that the steamer was hit some four or five times. The garrison at this place was alarmed by the firing from the Tybee, but owing to the darkness of the night did not see the vessel. The captain of the sutler's schooner Transit, now at this place, reports that on the night in question his vessel was lying off Tybee Bar, and that a steamer answering the above description passed him twice (in going and coming out).

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

WM. B. BARTON,

Colonel Forty-eighth New York Volunteers, Commanding Post.

[14.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Numbers 29.
Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C., August 21, 1862.

Captain Richard H. Jackson, First U. S. Artillery, and First Lieutenant James H. Wilson, Topographical Engineers, are hereby appointed inspectors-general of this department, and will report to these headquarters for special instructions.

D. HUNTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

[14.]