instructors assigned tot hem for that purpose. Colonel Jenkins possesses the desirable qualifications for the command of such a district as Edisto Island and its neighborhood, being thorouhgly acquianted with its localities and water-courses, w hile the limited number of artillerist, and the difficulty which will probably be met of finding volunteers for coast service during the summer months, renders, in my opinion, the tender of his services and of his command highly acceptable to the State in her presetn menaced condition.

I remain, very respectfully,

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[6.]

HEADQUARTERS STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
May 16, 1861.

Brigadier-General BEAUREGARD:

SIR: I have received yours, dated this day, and cordially approve of your wise suggestions. According to the President's order, you were placed in command of the sea-coast, as wella s Charleston and its vicinity. If I am to understand yours as a requisition for these companies, I will comply with great pleasure. If only a suggestion, I will send a copy to the War Department, at Montgomery, and respectfully urge their immediate attention to it; and if you think it a matter of immediate urgency I will still try and furnish you at least two companies from those in service but now ordered to be disbanded for the present, until you can hear more definitely from Montgomery. I acted heretofore in the greatest liberality, because I desired to do e verything to sustain the common Government and because they had no t reasury and no organiztion, and now I am not met in the same spirit, but my very liberality has been technically construed against me, as I am informed, and I am held to the strict letter of everything. As to one of the regiments, I shall keep the First at Summerville, at my own expense, after they are disbanded, because I deem it absolutely necssary for the safety of Charleston.

With very great respect,

F. W. PICKENS.

[6.]

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Montgomery, May 16, 1861.

Brigadier General A. R. LAWTON,

Commanding, &c., Savannah, Ga.:

SIR: Your letter of the 16th instant has been received and laid before the Secretary of War. The suggestion made by you for calling into immediate service a limited force for a short period, for the purposes contemplated in your leter, has been duly considered. You are authorized to take into service not to exceed 600 volunteers for such period as in your judgment may be proper, considering the near approach of the season when the diseases of the climate offer the best protection. You will make a special requisition for the guns you may need for the amount of force, when the Department will, to the extent of its means, furnish the supply.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector-General.

[6.]