respectfully offer, if the Department desires, to send reliable men (or to go myself if thought advisable) to endeavor to penetrate their lines at all risks and get into the fort and open signal communication between it and the city. The distance is less than eighteen miles and the fort, I think, visible from the steeples of the city; but at any rate places can be obatained from which it is visible and guns can be easily heard from one to the other. If my man is once there I feel confident that perfect communication can be kept up. Two or three should be sent to keep attempting until one gets through, and I would only stipulate for them that commissions be given them, so that if taken prisoners ttheir treatment may be that of officers. Mr. E. Pliny Bryan, of Maryland, who has been doing us most valuable and dangerous service for over six months, has already volunteered to undertake it, and from my corps of signal operators I feel confident that I can get as many others as are desired. I would most respectfully suggest that if there are any other isolated forts in danger of being cut off that precautions be taken to secure signal communication beforehand.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. P. ALEXANDER,

Captain of Engineers, C. S. Army.

[6.]

TALLAHASSEE, FLA., January 29, 1862.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,

Presidnet Confederate States, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: A resolution most offensive and injurious, a copy of which I have the honor to transmit herewith, was introduced into the convention of this State recently assembled at the capital. It contains a charge, in support of which if the least shadow of evidencce could be adduced none further would be needed to show that I am utterly unfit for the military profession. It is true the resolution in question did not receive the sanctittion, but neither did it receive its rebuke and condemnation, which were very necessary in order to remove the impression upon the troops of this military district which the resolution, even if its mover stood alone, is sure to produce. but it is not only because of the prejudice to the military service, which is sure to result from the bare announcement of such a resolution, thtat I am about to appeal to you, but for athe reasons-reasons which are personal purely. I accepted the commission which you did me the honor to confer upon me under peculiar circumstances. itt was accompanied (without waiting for my notice of acceptance) by the order to take command of this military department, and was presented in person by one of the most distinguished citizens of this State, who most earnestly and persistently solicited my acceptance of the appointment upon the plea that Florida was in danger because of her defenseless condition and because of her troops being witthout a leader. I had no military aspirations, but I desired to serve the country I her hour of need. All uninviting then as was the field, I yielded to Mr. Yulle's solicitations, accepted the appointment, and repaired to Florida as soon as released by my superior officer, General Lee, from the duties which had been temporarily assigned to me in South Carolina. Since my arrival here I have labored unceasingly to provide, as far as the means of the Government and the resources of the State allowed, for its defense, and now, because of a