the mean and cruel enemy. I trust that the organization of the militia on which you were engaged is nearly, if not quite, complete. What is its number and efficiency?

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[28.]

HILLSBOROUGH, N. C., August 25, 1863.

Governor M. L. BONHAM or

G. T. BEAUREGARD:

Will you accept a company of cadets from this place for the fight of Charleston? Reply immediately.

Rrespectfully,

S. W. R. MOORE.

E. B. MOORE.

W. R. CATHCART.

[Indorsement.]

GENERAL: I hope you will, with approval of Governor Vance.

M. L. BONHAM.

[Second indorsement.]

GOVERNOR: These cadets could not be sent into the field before

ours, and I do not believe they would be satisfied to do guard duty in Charleston. Plese telegraph Mr. Moore to that effect.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[28.]

RICHMOND, VA., August 26, 1863.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Charleston, S. C.:

Dispatch of 25th received. Opinion as to the advantages of holding Sumter, if possible, concurred in. By using debris of fort, assisted by sand-bags, it is hoped effective guns can be maintained

in position. Temporary rank of major-general is conferred on Colonel Gilmer, of Engineers, to render him more useful in the defense of Charleston.*

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[28.]

OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER,

Charleston, S. C., August 26, 1863.

Brigadier General THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that out of the 3,900 negroes furnished us for work on the fortifications in this district since the 10th of July, only 2,500 effective hands now remain, owing to discharges made on written requests of owners, forged passes furnished to negroes by unknown parties, desertion, and sickness. By the continued operation of these causes, the most serious of which is the demand of owners for the discharge of those slaves that have been held to service for over thirty days, this force will very speedily be reduced to 1,500 men, which is wholly inadequate for as prompt a construction of the

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*For reply, see VOL. XXVIII, part II, p.306.

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