and prepared his report to the Secretary of the Navy, approving of the design, as offering a valuable auxiliary to the defense of rivers and harbors.

I then called on Colonel Gilmer, who gave me some valuable advice in reference to certain details of the design, and advised that some experiments be instituted, not to interfere, however, with the immediate commencement of the work. After leaving Colonel Gilmer it was too late to see the Secretary of the Navy to obtain his order for the materials required. I therefore advised with Mr. Miles whether it would not be proper for me to leave the further prosecution of the matter in his hands and immediately return to my post. Mr. Miles replied that nothing more remained to be done except to obtain Mr. Mallory's acquiescence, which he would endeavor to obtain on the following Monday.

I thereupon dispatched a telegram to department headquarters, stating briefly what had been done, and reporting my intended immediate departure for Charleston, where I arrived on this morning.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRANCIS D. LEE,

Captain Engineers, Provisional Army Confederate States.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA,
Charleston, S. C., October 22, 1862.

Brigadier General R. S. RIPLEY,

Commanding First Military District:

GENERAL: I am instructed to direct you to send with the least delay practicable to Pocotaligo a force of about 2,000 men for temporary service, supplied and provided as directed in a communication from these headquarters addressed to Brigadier-General Gist on the 14th instant.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHARLESTON, S. C., October 22, 1862.

Brigadier General JOHNSON HAGOOD,

Adams Run, S. C.:

Hold about 1,000 infantry in readiness (provided and supplied as previously directed) to move by rail to Pocotaligo at a moment's notice.

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

CHARLESTON, S. C., October 22, 1862.

Brigadier General JOHNSON HAGOOD,

Adams Run, S. C.:

Dispatch the force to Pocotaligo as soon as transportation is ready.

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

CHARLESTON, S. C., October 22, 1862.

Brigadier General JOHNSON HAGOOD,

Adams Run, S. C.:

Of course send off any troops for which you have transportation. As