Until this question is determined the general thinks it will be useless to construct the battery which he dierected at his last visit to the island.

I am, &c.,

W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[6.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Coosawhatchie, December 30, 1861.

Brigadier General T. F. DRAYTON,

Commanding, &c., Hardeeville:

GENERAL: Your communication of this day and date is received. The general commanding hears with deep regret of the heavy reduction of the regiments and corps within your dissstrict. He is very desirous of increasing your command to such an extent as would render it effective in offensive operations. He is at this time unable to re-enforce you, there being no point from which any troops could be withdrawn with safety. He instructs me to say, however, that he will do this at as early a day as practicable.

I am, &c.,

T. A. WASHINGTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[6.]

STATE OF FLORIDA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Tallahassee, December 30, 1861.

Hon J. P. BENJAMIN,

Secretary of War:

SIR: A few days ago I adddressed a letter* to you from Marianna, inclosing copies of reports of General Floyd, in command at Apalachicola, and of Lieutenant Mickle, with a proposition to defend the place with State troops at expense of the Confederate Government and for reasons assigned. The facts are that Florida has not arms, and cannot procure them; and with her State troops well drilled and equipped, would act, in my judgment, unwisely to take the arms and place them in tthe hands of inexperienced men (simply because mustered into the Confederate service) for the defense of the State. Moreover, if those who shall be mustered into the Confederate service should be ordered from the Stae there would be no means of defense left. I would not be troublesome, but respectfuylly invite your serious consideration to the fact that Florida freely gave e up her arms and munitions of war to the Confederate Government, and would now simply ask the use of rifles or muskets to arms two infantry regiments for Confederate service and wherever their services may be required. Permit me to repeat that Florida will raise 1,000 men for the war, agreeably to the requisition contained in the letter of the 30th June and your late circular, and to inquire whether I have not the authority to receive the companies, order them to a camp of instruction, and report them. The reason of this inquiry is that General Trapier had mustered one of the companies, order them to a camp of instruction, and report them. The reason of this inquiry is that General Trapier had mustered one of the companies, and I therefore have not ordered it into a camp of instruction. General Trapier is a very interesting gentleman, and doubtless an excellent officer, although candor requires me to say that I do not entirely concur in his views in all military moves, but have with much pleasure yielded

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*See VOL. VI, p. 354.

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