would be of great assistance to the above-named officers. I am of the opinion that the entrance to the magnificent and important harbor of Port Royal can be effectually protected by two strong works on Bay Point and Hilton Head, on each side of the entrance, and the steel-clad floating battery moored half way between the two, all armed with the heaviest rifled guns that can be made; but, the constructions not being practicable at present, I have resorted to local works, guarding the principal lines of comunication with the interior of the State. The two works alreqady constructed for the protection of Beaufort, when fully and properly armed, will answer wella gainst any naval expedition; but if they had been constructed with about the same amount of labor at the neck between Beaufort River and the headquarters of Battery River, and at the neck btween the latter and the headwaters of Brick-Yard Creek, that town would have been thoroughly protected on all sides. I recommend that two 8-inch sea-coast howtizer, s on barbette carriages, should be added to the armament of Fort Elliott, and two of its 18-pounders be exchanged with two 24-pounders, now at Fort Schnierle, near the town. Should the above works, on the new plan proposed, ever be constructed, I recommend that the armament of Fort Elliott be transferred to t he new battery on t he river; that the work on the headwaters of Battery Creek be armed with two 12-pounders, and that the armament of Fort Schnierle be transferred to the other work defending the rear of the town.

I will now state what I consider should be the garrison of each of the works referred to in this report, besides a supporting regiment stationed at the nearest healthy locality to Beaufort-McPhersonville-provided with one or two light-draft steamers for its rapid transportation to any threatened point on the coast as well as for the conveyance of intelligence. Garrisons: North Edisto, 60 artillerists (or one company) and 1 company of infantry; South Edisto, 40 artillerists and 1 company of infantry; Fenwick's Island, 20 artillerists and 1 company of infantry; Field's Point, 20 artillerists and 1 company of infantry; Sam's Point, 20 artillerists and 1 company of infantry; Beaufort, 1 company of artillery and 2 companies of infantry; Mackey's Point, 20 artillerists and 1 company of infantry; Whale Island, 20 artillerists and 1 company of infantry. Total artillery, 4 companies; infantry, 9 companies. The works on North and South Edisto are ready to receive their armament, and I request that it be sent forthwith, together with their garrisons.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[6.]

CHARLESTON, S. C., May 16 1861.

Governor FRANCIS W. PICKENS:

DEAR SIR: I desire to say in connection with the garrisoning of the North and the South Edisto as wella s Fenwick's Island fort, that Colonel Jenkins, whose regiment, I understand, has attained much proficiency in drill and discipline, offers to be detailed for that service. The above-mentioned works are located on the same line and communicate easily with each other. The garrisons, both of artillery and infantry, required for themw ould consist of about six companies, which relieved from time to time by other companies of his own regiment, would keep the latter always in training and in efficient condition. The men could readily be drilled as artillerists by the colonel and by