may prescribe by by-laws how their company courts-martial shall be held, and fines and penalties imposed and collected; and any sentence of such company court-martial shall have the force and effect of a sentence or judgment of the circuit court, and may be enforced by an execution or imprisonment, as they, by by-laws, may provide; and such, fines shall be retained by such volunteer company for its exclusive use. (Ch. 1095, sec. 33, Laws of 1860.)

VIII. Whenever satisfactorily informed of any approach of the enemy the said officers shall assmble their men as speedily as possible, and, if in the exercise of a sound discretion it is deemed prudent, attack the enemy without waiting for orders from any soruce, and they will immediately dispatch a courier to the nearest Cnfederate officer, notifying him of such approach of the enemy, stating their position, numbers, and such other facts as they may be reliably informed of.

IX. The said officers are referred to the accompanying General Orders, Numbers 45, from the headquarters Military District of Florida, and are ordered to afford every facility to any and all deserters who may wish to avail themselves of the terms thereof.

By order of the Governor and commander-in-chief:

HUGH ARCHER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

[35.]

COLUMBIA, September 10, 1864.

General S. COOPER:

Yours of the 9th instant just received. Troops will be ready by 16th instant. In spite of constant and earnest efforts since May last, have not been able to procure arms for all my force. I make requisition every few days, but having to send to our arsenal on 9th, the delay is interminable and harassing. Can't you remedy the evil? There are arms in the hands of Captain McPhail, commanding armory at this post.

JAS. CHESUNT, Jr.,

Brigadier-General.

[35.]

CHATTAHOOCHEE, September 28, 1864.

(Received October 1.)

Honorable J. A. SEDDON:

The enemy captured Marianna yesterday; made Colonel Montgomery with many others prisoners. If we had had arms and ammunition we might have resisted them. Two militia companies were captured, unarmed and willing to fight. Unless promptly assisted, West Florida, with abundant supplies of corn, bacon, &c., will be irrecoverably lost. Send arms and ammunition if you cannot send us re-enforcements; but if possible, send them. We will fight every inch of the ground.

John MILTON,

Governor of Florida.

[35.]

HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, Georgia, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., October 24, 1864.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: Your communication of the 15th instant* in regard to blockade running throught the port of Charleston, and directing attention to

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* See VOL. XXXV, Part II, p. 638.

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