Parrott 6-pounders, with fifty rounds of ammunition, subject to the orders of General Trapier.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General, Commanding.

[6.]

HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES, DEPARTMENT MIDDLE AND EASTERN FLORIDA,
Fernandina, January 23, 1862.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. Army, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to ackonwledge the receipt of a communication from the Secretary of War, dated the 12th instant, in which the Secretary says: "The President desires that your headquarters be established at Fernandina, as being the only point in your district liable to serious attack by heavy forces." The case seems to call for some explanation on my part of the reasons which determined me to make Tallahassee my headquarters. These are as follows: First. It is cental, being midway between the eastern and western limits of this military department. Second. It is directly upon the main channel of communication between these limits. Third. It is, in my judgment, the true strategic point in this department, for the obvious reason that it is the capital of the State, is situated in the wealthiest portion of it, is easily assailed from the Gulf coast, and would make a safe base from which to operate against either Georgia or Alabama. If the enemy means to subjugate the State of Florida, the possession of Tallahassee and the surrounding country will do more to accomplish that end, it appears to me, than if he were to overrun the whole of the eastern portion of the State. Therefore it is that I have attached much importance to the defense of the capital, and have been stsriving from the time of my appointment to this command till now to ortanize additional forces for this purpose. Of course this work of organization would proceed more rapidly and satisfactorily were I on the spot myself, and could be in constant communication with the Executive of the State, than if I were at a distant point-at least, there was every reason to expect that such would be the case. The city of Apalachicola is also an important point, and should not be neglected. It lies near the western limit of this department. It is at present defended by State troops alone. I have been also endeavoring to organize a force of Confederate troops to take the place of these. The above are the reasons that have decided me in establishing my headquarters at Tallahassee. I submit them for the consideration of the Secretary of War and the Ppresident. If the latter still desires that I shall remove them to this place I shall not, of course, vait for an order. Pending his decision, however, I feel that I am at liberty to remain at Tallahassee.

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

J. H. TRAPIER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[6.]

HEADQUARTEERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

Centcrville, January 28, 1862.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General C. S. Army:

SIR: Having heard to-day that the Fedeeral fleet has succeeded in cutting off communication between Savannah and Fort Pulaski, I very