SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES, Numbers 115.
Charleston, S. C., May 15, 1861.

1. The services of the volunteer not being required at present on Morris and Sullivan's Islands, and the authorities at Montgomery having declined to have them mustered into the service of the Confederate States, theyw ill be relieved forthwith from duty, and will report to Adjutant-General Gist for further orders. Colonel Jenkins will re at once, and General Nelson will report his command as ready to leave Morris Island as soon as the guns, &c., have been removed, as heretofore ordered.

2. Colonel Rion's regiment of South Carolina Volunteers, except the two companies which have been drilled as artillerists at Fort Palmetto and the one so drilled at Fort Pickens, and one company to be selected by the colonel at said post, is relieved from duty, and Colonel Rion will report to General Gist, adjutant-general of South Carolina, for orders.

The camps expected above will remain for the present to garrison the forts where they are stationed.

By order of Brigadier-General Beauregard:

D. R. JONES,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[6.]

MONTGOMERY, ALA., May 15, 1861.

Honorable L. P. WALKER,

Secretary of War:

SIR: I have been infromed that eight regiments of infantry have been organized, armed, and equipped in South Carolina, and volunteer to serve for one year. They are said to be ready to move at once. Permit me to suggest to you the importance of accepting such an immediate addition to the small force now on our threatened frontier. To raise an equal force to serve for three years would probably require a month. The value of the services of eight regiments in the next month cannot be estimated. The arms, too, so much needed now, cannot be obtained without the troops who hold them. It is, in my opinion, of the utmost importance to us to show the largest possible force to the enemy in the shortest space of time. Our want of preparation may tempt the United States Government to invasion.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. E. JOHNSTON,

Brigadier-General, C. S., Army.

[6.]

CHARLESTON, S. C., May 16, 1861.

His Excellency Governor FRANCIS W. PICKENS:

SIR: I have the honor to inclose you herewith a list of the armament of the works already constructed and to be constructed for the defenses of the South Carolina coast, from North Edisto to Broad River, inclusive.* Your aide, Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott, and Lieutenant Gregorie, of the Engineers, as well as Inspector-General Gonzales, accompanied me on my tour of inspection, and are acquainted with the localities of the new works recommended and which ought to be constructed forthwith. Acting Lieutenant Blake, of the Engineers, now on Morris Island,

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*Not found.

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