while the rest was then engaged in delaying the advancing columns of the enemy, which he supposed, however, would reach the front of his lines probably that day or the next. Hence he had given orders for all extra trains on the Gulf railroad and Charleston railroad to be sent in the direction of Charleston as soon as practicable. Third, that on the north side of the Savannah River, and along New River, the number of troops was very small, and only just sufficient to guard the works there constructed. Fourth, that Wheeler's cavalry were mostly operating in rear of the enemy, south of the Savannah River. Fifth, that in Savannah thee were about thirty days' provisins for the forces in and around the city.

I advised General Hardee, in accordance with previous instructions, to defend the city so long as consistent with the safety of his command, and suggested that he should make such preparations and arrangements-which I regretted to discover had not been made-as might be necessary for the evacuation of the ecity at the proper time, should that necessity arise. With these views General Hardee coincided. I particularly called his attention to the necessity of keeping open his communications with Charleston, via the Screven's Ferry causeway and the Charleston railroad, the latter being already partially interrupted by a battery of the enemy near Coosawhatchie. I informed General Hardee that I would return at once to Pocotaligo to advise with General Jones relative to reopening without delay the communications at Coosawhatchie and preventing their further interrruption. When leaving savannah at 9 p. m. I received that the enemy had approached the railroad between the city and the river, so as to render the running of my train dangerous. I therefore took the cars at the bridge, which I reached by steam-boat. On arriving at Pocotaligo early the next evening I conferred with General Jones, as intended, and came on to Charleston to furnish him with all available means required by him.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

General.

[44.]

RICHMOND, VA., December 14, 1864.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Charleston, S. C.:

My aide-de-camp, Colonel Ives, will hand you this. In the early part of the war he was engaged on the defenses at and around Savannah and Charleston. He is a practical and scientific engineer, and I feel assured that his services at this time will be of service to you.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[44.]

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,
Charleston, S. C., December 20, 1864.

Major E. WILLIS,

Chief Quartermaster:

MAJOR: General Beauregard directs me to inform you that he has communicated with Brigadier-General Fry, at Augusta, Major General Howell Cobb, at Macon, and His Excellency governor Brown, relative to the opening of the lines of railroad known as the Georgia and Central Railroads, all of whom have been requested to aid you in the completion of the line of communication. He directs that you at once