Today in History:

321 Series I Volume VI- Serial 6 - Fort Pulaski - New Orleans

Page 321 Chapter XV. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.

RICHMOND, November 14, 1861.

Gov. JOSEPH E. BROWN,

Milledgeville:

Out of about 9,000 rifles, I have assigned half to General Lee's command and the other half to General A. S. Johnston's command. General Lee will therefore have 4,500, which, when added to the 1,100 brought in for Georgia, makes 5,600 arms for the defense of Charleston and Savannah. As soon as I get the account of the cannot on board I will appropriate to the same purpose every piece that I can fairly assign to your coast. I shall know in a day or two what is possible.

J. P. BENJAMIN,

Acting Secretary of War.

CHARLESTON, November 14, 1861.

J. P. BENJAMIN:

I have just learned that the small-arms, &c., on the Fingal are the property of the Confederate Government. General Lee is now here, and has made requisition on me for five regiments. I have the men ready, but no arms. Will you send me an order for them? You know their situation, and will surely help us in ammunition.

F. W. PICKENS.

RICHMOND, November 14, 1861.

Governor PICKENS,

Charleston, S. C.:

I have assigned to General Lee 4,500 of the the arms received by the Fingal, being half of all that are for us. The State of Georgia has also 1,100 on board, so that General Lee will have 5,600 for arming his department.

J. P. BENJAMIN,

Acting Secretary of War.


HDQRS. FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT, DEPT. OF S. C.,
Georgetown, November 15, 1861.

Major General R. E. LEE:

GENERAL: There are two redoubts near the mouth of Winyaw Bay, on Cap and South Islands.

The first has mounted two 32-pounders, 50 rounds each; one rifled 12-pounder, 50 rounds, and two 24-pounders, 150 rounds each; three principal faces nearly completed; two bastions in rear, and curtain entirely unfinished; no bomb-proof. South Island redoubt, four 24-pounders, 125 rounds each; one rifle 6-pounder, 50 rounds; one 18-pounder, 125 rounds; three faces finished, still open in rear; bomb proof will be completed in ten days; garrisoned by 320 men of Tenth Regiment. There are near Georgetown, of Tenth Regiment, 565 men; three companies cavalry are on South Island, two near Georgetown, 135 men; one company rifles attached to Tenth Regiment, 565 men; three companies cavalry are on South Island, two near Georgetown, 135 men; one company rifles attached to Tenth Regiment, for local duty near Georgetown, 50 men; one section light artillery on Waccamaw Neck, 40 men - 1,110 men. I have called on General Harllee, local volunteers, for 800; 280 have reported for duty; 200 more to arrive to-morrow; 480-1,590; the remainder,

21 R R-VOL VI


Page 321 Chapter XV. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.