cola, which will be given to the troops, including those from Florida, at that place. Previously to this an order was issued for 2,500 arms for the troops in Middle and East Florida, but I have not learned whether they have been received. I shall be obliged to Your Excellency if you will give me such information as you may be able to obtain on the subject. I inclose to Your Excellency a copy of the law providing for the organization of bands of rangers, and the regulation of the Department under the same.*

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

R. E. LEE,

General.

[14.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Milledgeville, Ga., May 7, 1862.

Honorable G. W. RANDOLPH:

DEAR SIR: Inclosed I send you a copy of your dispatch + to me of April 5, 1862, in which you promise to punish any confederate officer who again knowingly interferes with the State's arms imported by me. By a letter from Colonel Gorgas dated May 1, 1862, I am informed that twelve boxes of my Enfield rifles were received by the Nashville and that they have been ordered by General Lee to General E. K. Smith, of East Tennessee. Mr. gorgas adds that he did not deem it worth while tto send them to me. I simply state the case and reming you of your promise, not doubting that you will act properly in the premises. When may I expect all that have been seized to be returned? I shall regret to be compelled to resort to counter seizures as the only mode of redress against these arbitrary wrongs of your officers.

Very respectfully, your obedient sservant,

JOSEPH E. BROWN.

[First indorsement.]

Chief of Ordnance for report.

[GEO. W. RANDOLPH.]

[Second indorsement.]

The twelve boxes of arms referred to were received here from the cargo of the Nashville, and were by General Lee dierected to be forwarded to Geneal Kirby Smith, Knoxville, to be by him placed in the hands of the Fifty-second Georgia Regiment, at Chattanooga without arms. General Smith was informed of the destination of the arms, and Governor Brown requested to communicate with General Smith if he desired any other disposition made of the arms.

J. GORGAS.

[14.]

HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES, DEPARTMENT OF MIDDLE AND EASTERN FLORIDA,
Tallahassee, May 8, 1862.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

GENERAL: I have ordered two companies of the Fourth Regiment Florida Volunteers, serving at Tampa Bay, to join their regiment at

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*See General Orders, Numbers 30, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, April 28, 1862, Series IV.

+See VOL. VI, p. 425.

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