and support promised me by His Excellency the Governor, and yourself.* I did not need this fresh assurance of your kindness and consideration, and feel d eeply obliged at your placing the troops of the State under my command. I hope you will allow me to call upon you for aid and assistance in all matters pertaining to the State defense. I will give orders to relieve the [troops] now on duty in guarding bridges, &c., as soon as their places can be supplied by the troops now in the fiel, d and shall be happy to g et into the field the batteries you mention. We have need of all the resources of the State. Eighty vessels of the enemy were counted at Port Royal on the 12th, and they appear to be in strength on Port Royal Island. I consider we have not an hour to lose. The land defenses around the city are progressing, and if our men do their duty at the batteries, which I feel certain they will do, the enemy ought not to be able to advance by the water approaches.

I am, &c.,

R. E. LEE,

General, Commanding.

[6.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 268.
Richmond, December 17, 1861.

* * * *

XXX. The Twentieth Regiment Mississippi Volunteers, under Colonel D. R. Russell, and Phillips Legion, Georgia Volunteers, will proceed at once to Coosawhatchie, S. C., and report for duty to General R. E. Lee, commanding.

* * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

John WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[6.]

COLUMBIA, December 17,1 861.

Honorable Mr. BENAJMIN,

Secretary of War:

Will you be so kind as to allow General Lee to give the arms he had to companies mustered in for the war unconditionally-field officers appointed by the President or assigned to duty by General Lee. Colonel Dunovant has a regiment unconditionally for the war. Let him give to his two flanking companies arms, and also to the two flankers of De Saussure's regiment. They are in actual service, but no arms, and Lee hold sthem for none but new whole regiments. Sent to him in last few days twenty companies, but not full regiments. Received as companies only.

F. W. PICKENS.

[6.]

JOIN RESOLUTION expressing the sentiments of the people of Florida toward the Confederate Government and her armies in the field.

Whereas, the people of Florida, in common with those of the other States of the Confederacy, recognizing their dependence upon an overruling Providence for the success of their cause and trusting in the continued blessing of the God of Battles upon their arms, realize a deep

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*See VOL. VI, p. 345.

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