for granted that if the storm of war comes it will you all ready. I wish I could say as much for the border States.

Very truly, yours,

L. Q. WASHINGTON.

[1.]

HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES,
Charleston, S. C., April 5, 1861.

The following memorandum of instructions is issured for the service of the channel batteries:

I. In case of action the chief of artillery will take post so as to direct most conveniently the operations of all the batteries.

II. For this purpose there should be detailed from two to four mounted orderlies for service under the exclusive orders of the chief of artillery.

III. The charge of a battery cannot be ragraded as an independent command, and officers on duty at batteries are stirctly enjoined to await the orders of the commandant before opening fire.

IV. Circumstances must, of course, detemine whether one or more of the batteries should be engaged, and the fire, while it must not be thrown away on objects out of range, should be conducted with great care and deliberation.

V. A roster of the different batteries will be made, and at the discertion of the commandant one or more will be indicated to perform the duty of enforcing the daily and nightly channel guard. The batteries so designed will be charged with bringing vessels to, and will be governed by the signals of the guard-boats, or suspicious circumstances in the case of vessels coming in. Sentries should be carefully instructed in the signals of the guard-boats, indicating the approach of friendly or unfriednly vessels. (See order of Captain North of January 29.) Two glasses with cases with be provided for the lookout sentries on Sullivan's Island, and three for those on Morris Island, to be in the care of the officer of the guard.

VI. The signal for general action in daytime will be the hositing of the Confederate and Palmetto flags on the halyards at the commandant's flag-staff, the Confederate flag above.

VII. At night the signal for general action will be a lantern hoisted on the commandant's flag-staff.

VIII. The Quatermaster-General will provide Lieutenant-Colonel Ripley, commandant of artillery on Sulivann's Island, with two horses and equipments for orderly service; and Lieutenant-Colonel De Saussure, commandant of artillery on Morris Island, with four horses and equipments for the same purpose. He will also provide and distribute the glasses indicated in section V of this order.

By order of Brigadier-General Beauregard:

D. R. JONES,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[1.]

CHARLESTON, S. C., April 8, 1861.

Mr. M. J. CRAWFORD,

Commissioner, Confederate States, Washington, D. C.:

Accounts from Washingtons so uncertain I have called out several thousand volunteers*.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[1.]

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* See Crawford to Beauregard, VOL. I, p. 289.

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