as I have no other arms to issue to the Georgai regiments in their stead.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General.

[14.]

CHARLESTON, May 24, 1862.

General S. COOPER,

Richmond:

The steamers Kate and Cecile just arrived, running the blockade and bringing 100 cases rifles and 2,700 rifles, 350 barrels of powder, 211 boxes tin, 2 kegs gunpowder, 52 cases shoes, 24 bags saltpeter, a supply of medicines, and other valuable Government stores.

J. C. PEMBERTON,

Major-General, Commanding.

[14.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Richmond, Va., May 27, 1862.

Brigadier General JOSEPH FINEGAN,

Commanding Department of Florida, Tallahassee:

GENERAL: the report of Mr. F. A. Acosta, special agent for collecting the arms landed at Smyrna, has been received at the Department. I am pleased to learn the facilities you afforded him on his arrival in Tallahasseed for carrying out the instructions of the Secretary of War. He, however, states that upon his arrival in Gainesville and while collecting the arms with which the Seventh Regiment Florida volunteers, then in camp of instruction, had been partly armed, these being a portion of the arms from Smyrna for which he had sent, yoou being a portion of the arms from Smzrna for which he had sent, you arrived in erson, and upon the authority of my letter of the 3rd of May to Governor Milton determined to retain 2,500 stand of arms from this the arms issued to the Seventh Regiment, and appropriating others at different points on the railroad. As that agent was acting under the directions or the Secretary of War you should have afforded him every facility in carrying out his instructions and not thrown any obstacles in the way of their execution. These arms are greatly needed by our troops at Coringh, where there are many in front of the enemy unarmed, troops at Corinth, where there are many in front of the enemy unarmed, and were specially designed for their use. My letter to the Governor was intended to inform him of orders previously given and to inquire what number of arms had been issued to troops in Florida, that provision might be made, if possible, from further cargoes to supply deficiencies. In no case should it have taken precedence over the Ssecretary of War. Mr. Acosta also states that Captains Owens', Stephens', and Hariison's companies of cavalry, as well as some of the militia and men at the different railroad stations, have been armed with Enfield rifles. This arm is intended solely for infantry, and ought only to be issuervice for the war. It is not designed for cavalry, and you are desired to cause all the rifles to be returned for issue to infantry musterd in for the war. They cannot be devoted to cavalry or to the arming of troops for temporary or local service. The more common arms (those of the cavalry if possible) must be used for the latter purpose. Your early attention to this subject is desired.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

R. E. LEE.

[14.]