CHAP.XIII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.

supported by field artillery, I am of the opinion that this point, thus prepared, can be successfully defended. But until the naval expedition which is now fitting out by the enemy shall have chosen its destination, I think it prudent to have these guns also mounted at Yorktown, probably on the water side, if space can be had; if not, on the land side, and for this purpose you will direct Lieutenant Douglas or Mr. St. John to cause platforms to be laid without delay, and to have these guns put in position at once. When the expedition shall have sailed from these waters they can be once. When the expedition shall have sailed from these waters they can be removal to Ship Point, for which latter purpose you will direct, in my name, Lieutenant Douglas to cause platforms to be made forthwith, so that when we move them they may be placed in position without loss of time.

J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, Williamsburg, Va., September 19, 1861.

Captain LYNCH, Chief of Bureau of Ordnance:

SIR: Several weeks ago Captain Henderson was detached from the Yorktown naval battery, but no officer ordered in his place. I applied to the Navy Department for an officer, and was informed that Commander Faultlerey had been ordered to repair to Yorktown in his place. He has not arrived. I have since written once or twice on the subject, but have received no answer. As Yorktown is perhaps the most important point on the coast at which there is a naval battery, I beg that this may be attended to as soon as possible.

The heaviest ships can be bough against naval batteries at the mouth of York River, and in great numbers. It is obvious, therefore, that the heaviest guns should be placed there. This subject has been again brought to my notice by Colonel G. W. Randolph, Chief of Ordnance, an officer in whose judgment I place great confidence. He says in a letter just received:

If the expedition fitting out at Washington should come here, and bring with it a large number of 10 and 11 inch Dahlgren guns, the odds against us would be very great. Should our batteries be silenced, the fleet may pass up and land troops at defenseless points, and either take the James River batteries and the fortified lines of the Peninsula in reverse, or march on Richmond, passing by them. Guns of equal caliber are necessary to put us on equal footing with the enemy.

I concur fully in this opinion, and would respectfully recommend that six of the long 32-pounder rifled guns, said to be now in Richmond, be placed in battery at this point, or that six of the 10 and 11 inch Dahlgren guns be sent, if possible. I would also report that I fired two shots from the 8-inch columbiad at Spratley's farm, opposite Hog Island, on James River, with 15-second fuses and charges of eight pounds, giving the guns the highest elevation which it casemate carriage would admit. The river is about 1 3\4 miles wide, and the shells fell short of the other side and exploded in the water, showing that the charges were too small. The carriage, however, was a good deal injured even by these small charges; and if the charges were increased to ten pounds, it would be shattered after a few rounds. This carriage is like that on which similar guns are mounted in the naval battery at Yorktown--almost entirely worthless. The columbiads at Jamestown are mounted on equally unreliable carriage. I indulge a hope, however, from the