N. C.; but on the 2nd instant they advanced up the Tennessee and Tuckasergee to the mouth of Deep Creek, when the Indians, under my command, arrested their progress. The enemy lost about twelve killed and wounded, the Indians five. I am informed that the Northern papers boats of killing 200.

As the falling back of General Longstreet leaves this pass open to raids unless a sufficient force can be obtained and stationed at or near the mouth of the Tuckasegee River, and as this cannot be effected unless supplies of grain can be obtained in South Carolina, not only for the troops, but also for the families of the Indians, now in a starying condition, I have deemed it proper to make an appeal to you for the following aid: First, for corn and flour, &c., to be shipped to Walhalla for our troops necessary to the defense of this pass; second, that permission be given to purchase grain in South Carolina for the families of our troops, including the Indian families, and that facilities be furnished to make shipments to Walhalla at once. It is feared that it cannot be shipped in time to prevent starvation among the Indians, which would at once cause us to lose that portion of my force, [in] which event I would very probably have to fall back across the Blue Ridge, a line which it would be difficult to defend. I shall also want permission to ship a small quantity of rice, pease, beans, &c., for the Indian families; also some cloth, spun cotton, and cotton to make the necessary clothing. Two causes have deprived this portion of North Carolina of the means of subsistence: First, having but a few salves among the whites and none among the Indians deprived the country of the necessary amount of labor, after nearly all the men between eighteen and forty-five had volunteered; second it, was a bad crop year, and the early frosts destroyed a large portion of the corn crops of materially injured them. In a large portion of the counties in the Carolinas one-half the laborers are slaves. When the white laborers are placed in the Army is leaves one-half of the colored laborers to make a subsistence. It is this condition of the country that has produced starvation, and if not arrested will produce much disloyalty to the South at a time when we have no men to spare. The last proposition of Lincoln leaves the South nothing to hope for if subjugated. Hence the necessity of united action to arrest the progress of the enemy.

Your obedient servant,

WM. H. THOMAS,

Colonel Thomas' Legion Indians and Highlanders.

COLUMBIA, March 4, 1863.

I commend this matter to the favorable consideration of the commanding general of department, and will forward objects as far as I can.

M. L. BONHAM.

[33 and 35.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Columbia, March 4, 1864.

Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: Having turned over to the Government the two companies in service of the State, and in view of the probable evacuation of East Tennessee by General Longstreet, which will doubtless invite a raid of the enemy through the mountains into the upper part of the State, and in consideration of the arms-bearing population of the State