[First indorsement.]

HDQRS. DEPT. S. CAROLINA, Georgia, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., November 20, 1863.

Respectfully referred to Brigadier-General Walker to know if with his present force he could serve and protect the guns if sent to the positions referred to. I can well understand the importance to the Confederacy of saving the corps of that section of country.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General, commanding.

[Second indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT, Pocotaligo, November 27, 1863.

With our present force I could not serve or protect guns placed in the position indicated. The points suggested by Mr. Heywards are the proper ones for the complete protection of the peninsula, if we had rifled guns and men to man them.

W. S. WALKER,
Brigadier-General, commanding.

[Third indorsement.]

HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, Georgia AND FLORIDA, Charleston, December 1, 1863.

Respectfully returned to Mr. N. Heyward for this information.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General, commanding.

[Inclosure No. 2.]

HEADQUARTERS ASHEPOO SUB-DISTRICT, Green Pond, December 10, 1863.

SIR: Herewith please find an official letter from General Beauregard* and a circular from Brigadier-General Walker, which I am instructed to give as much publicity to as possible in this sub-district. Will you please make their contents know to your neighbors?

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. STOKES,

Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding.

[Sub-district.]

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,

Pocotaligo, S. C., December 8, 1863.

I would call the earnest attention of all planters and owners of slaves in the Third Military District to the accompanying letter from General Beauregard. Throughout the military administration of General Lee, Pemberton, and Beauregard the planters have been warned officially and privately of the insecurity of their slaves property. Since the enemy have resorted to recruiting their ranks from slaves, the loss of able-bodied blacks has become not only a private loss, but a public injury, as it increases the ranks of our enemies. I warn the planters that I have good reason to believe that their property on the coast of South Carolina is in more danger now than at any time since the commencement of the war, and I consider it the duty of every patriotic

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*See Feilden to Walker, November 30, 1863, VOL. XXXVIII, Part II, p.530.

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