fortifications as the safety of this city now demands. For this purpose an effective force of at lest 5,000 slaves is necessary, and I earnestly recommend that measures be taken to supply us with that number without delay. As all previous attempts to supply us with labor have proved ineffectual, I deem it advisable to resort to such a system of impressment as the State authorities may under the circumstances consider most proper and expedient.

I have the honor to be, yours, very respectfully,

D. B. HARRIS,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief Engineer.

[28.]

[AUGUST 26, 1863.?]

S. W. R. MOORE,

Hillsborough, N. C.:

General Beauregard appregends the cadets could not be sent into the field sooner than those of this State, and would not be satisfied to do guard duty in Charleston, where they would be needed. Allow me to thank yourself and the gallant youths who so nobly tender their services.

M. L. BONHAM.

[28.]

HILLSBOROUGH, N. C., August 26, 1863.

Governor BONHAM:

Forty-five cadets have deserted from Hillsborough Military Academy to aid in defense of Charleston. I understand they telegraphed you and were accepted. I am sure you were not aware of the circumstances. I request you will not receive them, as many are mere boys, and are acting without the consent of their parents. Their names are Shorm, Monroe, Wallace, Moses, Colclough, Moses, Powell, Cain, Powell, Cain, Saunders, Buchanan, Bynan, Smith, Bynonn, Chiles, Withers, Palmer, Rawlingson, Palmer, Johnson, Sairy, McNight, Battle, Mellett, Fox, Mellett, Brandford, Pitts, Ramsey, Emmet, Jordan, Moore, Gray, Moore, Jackson, Hundley, Vance, Hundley, Sims, Watson, Cathcart, Henderson, McSwain.

Very respectfully, &c.,

WM. M. GORDON,

Major and Superintendent.

[28.]

CHARLOTTE, August 27, 1863.

Governor M. L. BONHAM:

Your dispatch received. We are on our way to Charleston. Please have quarters assigned. Will arrive to-morrow afternoon.

S. W. R. MOORE,

Lieutenant, Volunteer Cadets.

RICHMOND, VA., August 29, 1863.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Charleston, S. C.:

Your dispatch is unintelligible.* I desire to know what effective force is availabe for the defense of Charleston. Send reply by mail.+

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[28.]

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*See VOL. XXVIII, Part II, p.312.

+Ibid., p.332.

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