HEADQUARTERS,
Coosawhatchie, December 25, 1861.

Colonel A. M. MANIGAULT,

Commanding, &c., Georgetown:

COLONEL: Your communication of the 23rd instant to General Ripley relative to the anticipated diminution of the force under your command by the withdrawal of that portion derived from General Harllee's legion, has been referred to the general commanding this department, who directs me to say in reply that he regrets that you are called upon to give up so material a portion of your command at a time when every man is needed, and that he desires you to make every effort to supply the places of those withdrawn by forming organizatons within the lomits of your own district. He has no troops available with which to re-enforce you, and knows of no way of doing this except by such troops as may offeerr from the State. He is sorry to hear that the Tenth Regiment is suffering from measles, but hopes the cases continue trifling, and that the number of sick is on the decrease. Hereafter you are desired to report direct to these headquarters.

I am, &c.,

W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[6.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Coosawhatchie, December 29, 1861.

Lieutenant Colonel J. GORGAS,

Chief of Ordnance, Richmond, Va.:

COLONEL: I have heard that there are some 24-pounderes at Wilmington, N. C., unemployed and without carriages. If they are serviceable and not wanted, may I ask you to send six to the Charleston [Arsenal]. There are now at that arsenal some 24-pounder traveling or siege carriages without guns on which they can be mounted. I am much in need of guns of that character, and would be glad to get them. I have also understood that there are several tons of niter at the Charleston Arsenal, where it is only required for the manufacture of fuses, portfire, &c. Lieutenant-Colonel Gill, in a letter received from him some days since, stated that after the 20th of this month he expected to manufacture two tons of powder per week, provided he could obtain sufficient niter. If there is more niter at the Charleston Arsenal than is required at that place, I have thought it wouldbe a grat advantage to the operations of Colonel Gill to have it sent to him, and therefore take the liberty to refer the matter to you.

I am, &c.,

R. E. LEE,

General, Commanding.

[6.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Coosawhatchie, December 29, 1861.

Captain JAMES L. BLAIR,

Commanding Battery, Cumberland Island, Fla.:

CAPTAIN: In reply to your communication of the 22nd instant, just received, the general commanding derects me to state that General Trapier, commanding in the harbor of Cumberland Sound, recommends that the guns on Cumberland Island be removed to Fernandina.