HEADQUARTERS,
Coosawhatchie, December 3, 1861.

General R. S. RIPLEY,

Commanding Department of South Carolina, Charleston S. C.:

SIR: The general commanding desires me to acknowledge the receipt of your several letters of the 28th and also one of the 29th, and in reply I have to express his regret that your request to have detailed from Colonel Dunovant's regiment certain companies for the protection of the Combahee cannot be granted at present. From your leters he would infer that besides that four 32-pounder rifled and banded cannon which you report as having placed at White Point battery, and which disposition he approves, there are still four navy 32-pounders, four 12-pounders, and two 24-pounders. The four 12-pounders having been located by you for the defense of the Ashepoo and Combahee, you will forward for the disposition of General Drayton the two 24-pounders, and the remainder, four navy 32's, send to Coosawhatchie for the disposition of the commanding general himself. The general does not desire that any powder or ammunition of any kind should be taken from either Forts Moultrie, Sumter, or Stono, but hopes that you hae already carried out your suggestion of making a demand upon the Govenor for the supply of Castle Pinckney, &c. He is also highly gratified at the success of your experiments with the muskets and blasting powders.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. A. WASHINGTON,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[6.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Coosawhatchie, S. C., December 3, 1861.

General T. F. DRAYTON,

Commanding at Hardeeville:

GENERAL: The general commanding directs me to inform you that he has ordered two 24-pounders to be sent to you from Charleston, which he wishes placed in position at Red Bluff. The two mountain howitzers which you have he desires you to place in the hands of the cavalry operating in your front.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. A. WASHINGTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[6.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Coosawhatchie, December 3, 1861.

Lieutenant Colonel J. S. PRESTON,

Adjutant and Inspector-General, Columbia, S. C.:

COLONEL: Upon my arrival here to-day I read your letter of the 28th ultimo. I am much disappointed at your report of the progress made in mustering in the service of the Confederate States the troops of the State, and still more at the prospect you hold out. There are no means of defending the State except with her own troops, and if they do not come forward, and that immediately, I fear her suffering will be greatly aggravated. All the troops for whom arms can be furnished ought to be now in the field, and they will not find half enough. I beg you will represetn this matter to the Governor and to General Gist and urge

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