which you request me to direct a requisition to be made for the number of troops I may require, I have the honor to inform you that I have directed my adjutant-general, Captain Washington, to furnish you an extract of my Special Orders, Numbers 1,* current series, from these headquarters, a copy of which has also been furnsihed Lieutenant Colonel John S. Preston, assistant adjutant-general, whom I have appointed the mustering and inspecting officer. This order will render a requisition unnecessary. Instructionshave already been given General Trapier to assist as far as practicable in collecting the cattle on the islands, and also in the removal of the slaves if desirable. Should it become necessary the rifle powder you report on hand can readily be used for muskets, but I regret to inform you that it is out of my power to say at present from what source an additional supply of cannon poweder is to be obtained.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General, C. S. Army, Commanding.

[6.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Coosawhatchie, November 17, 1861.

Lieutenant Colonel JOHN S. PRESTON,

Adjutant and Inspector-General:

COLONEL: Your letter of to-day has just been received. I am authroized by the general commanding to say that he is directed by the War Department to issue the arms arrived by the Fingal to the volunteers of South Carolina and Georgia that enter the service of the Confederate Government for the war. Hence the limitation in the order was intended to apply to those tow hom arms are supplied. Those who are supplied with arms by the State only can be mustered in for the terms you propose. I understood from the Governor and General Gist (I might have misunderstood them) that three regiments for the war could be raised without difficulty. The order is amended accordingly.

Very respectfully, &c.,

T. A. WASHINGTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General, C. S. Army.

[6.]

SAVANNAH, November 17, 1861.

Honorable J. P. BENJAMIN:

Have brought over between 9,000 and 10,000 Enfield rifles for the Confederate States, 1,000 for the State of Louisiana, 1,100 for the State of Georgia; in all, about 12,000 rifles. Have for Confederacy 10,000 blankets. Shall I proceed to Richmond?

E. C. ANDERSON.

[6.]

RICHMOND, November 17, 1861.

Governor JOHN MILTON,

Tallahassee:

Have ordered for you all the ammunition and supplies I could spare. General Robert E. Lee is in command of the department composed of

---------------

*See VOL. VI, p. 322.

---------------