much better sources of information than you can possibly have. Be assured we are vigilant, and will use our utmost means for your defense. J. P. BENJAMIN, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORFOLK, Norfolk, January 6, 1862. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: As I have been fully occupied with my front, and the position of Roanoke Island has been without my control, I hardly know what to do to strengthen this important position (I consider it the key to Albemarle Sound) until I get the reports of General Wise. All the work that has been done there has been done by my direc tion, and with the assistance of the Navy (Commodore Forrest, commanding dock-yard, and Captain Lee, the executive officer, having aided me most materially) all the batteries have been erected, guncarriages and ammunition supplied. I cannot see that any one else has done anything towards its protection, except the sending of two regiments of North Carolina troops there. Much of the work I recommended has been neglected. One very important thing-obstructing the channel-has yet to be done. I have now sent the means, and directed General Wise to prosecute the work with all vigor. I have dispatched all the most necessary supplies, but powder I have none to send. I regret I had not the preparation of the defenses of this place during the last few months. With the disposition to a panic apparent in that section of the country, if the flotilla of the enemy now assembling under the guns of Fortress Monroe makes a dash at Roanoke Island, I do fear a stampede. As soon as powder can be obtained I must beg you to send me some. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, BENJ. HUGER, Major-General, Commanding. P. S.-I beg to refer to my reports concerning the part I took in occupying Roanoke Island from the 31st August last. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORFOLK, Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: In reply to your letter of 25th ultimo, informing me of the passage of an act by Congress allowing army rank to be conferred upon such officers of the Navy as are commanding batteries on shore, I submit here. with the names and rank of such officers, viz: 1. Commander R. F. Pinkney, commánding Fort Norfolk and inspector of batteries, to rank as lieutenant-colonel. 2. Commander Charles F. McIntosh, commanding Fort Nelson, lieutenant-colonel. 3. Commander W. L. Maury, commanding Sewell's Point battery, lieutenant-colonel. 4. Lieut. G. W. Harrison, commanding Pinner's Point battery, major. 5. Lieut. R. R. Carter, commanding Pig Point battery, major. 6. Lieut. B. P. Loyall, assigned to Roanoke Island, captain. 7. Bvt. Capt. J. S. Taylor, formerly lieutenant in the Navy, who has not been appointed in the Confederate Navy, but has received the appointment of second lieutenant C. S. Army and brevet rank of captain (a most valuable artillery officer), commanding Lambert's Point battery, now ordered to Roanoke Island, to rank as major-he to resign his former commission in the Army. The only other naval officer holding a commission in the Army is Bvt. Capt. Jas. F. Milligan, signal officer, who is second lieutenant C. S. Army and brevet captain. He was in the revenue service, resigned, and took service under the State of Virginia. He might retain his present commission, or be appointed captain, as considered best. The three batteries at Cedar Point, Barrel Point, and Pagan Creek, lately in charge of Commander R. L. Page (relieved and ordered away), have at present no naval officer in charge of them. The batteries at Day's Point and Harden's Bluff, James River, in First Brigade, have been in charge of naval officers. They were ordered there from Richmond, and have not reported to me. I would recommend a commander for rank of lieutenant-colonel, and lieutenant commanding battery the rank of major. As the pay of the navy rank of these officers is more than they would receive in the rank above mentioned, I presume they would be paid (as the act refers only to rank) as heretofore, except Capts. J. S. Taylor and J. F. Milligan, who have no navy rank, and must receive the army pay. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, BENJ. HUGER, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, General S. COOPER, Goldsborough, January 9, 1862. Adjutant-General C. S. Army, Richmond, Va. : GENERAL: Ihave received a communication from the adjutant-general of North Carolina of the 7th instant, informing me that the Thirtythird, Thirty-sixth, and Thirty-seventh Regiments of North Carolina troops were under orders for New Berne, and the Thirty-fourth for Wilmington, N. C. All these regiments, it is understood, have been or will be paid by the State to the 31st December, 1861. They are to be turned over to the Confederate service as soon as they arrive at their destination. Six companies of the Thirty-third went down last night, which, with the three now in Hyde County, make nine in the service. The tenth, I learn, is nearly completed. The other regiments will follow as fast as transportation can be provided. To avoid the necessity of making out pay rolls for a few days, cannot the transfer of these regiments be made to take [effect] from the 1st January, 1862? I learn that the Thirty-third and Thirty-fifth Regiments are fully and well armed, but the other two imperfectly so. All, I am informed, are considerably reduced in 'effective men by sickness, principally measles and mumps. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. C. GATLIN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. C. S. S. SEA BIRD, Off Roanoke Island, January 10, 1862. Hon. S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy: SIR: I understand that it is contemplated to improve the navigation of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. To carry out improvements, which will very much enhance the usefulness of the canal, I further learn that the co-operation of the Government is indispensable. Being enabled to speak from experience, I feel justified in saying that without the use of the canal heretofore, supplies from and imperatively requisite repairs at Gosport navy-yard could not have been received or effected. The vessels composing the squadron under my command could not without regular supplies and effectual repairs have been kept together, and by consequence, acting dispersively, would have been prevented from periodically maneuvering in sight of the enemy, and thus up to this time deterred him from venturing within Pamlico Sound, the great reservoir of the waters of North Carolina this side of Cape Fear. Although very great facilities have been afforded by the canal, through which every vessel of the squadron save one has repeatedly passed, the occasional lowness of the water, consequent upon prevalent northerly winds, has repeatedly caused delays highly detrimental to the service. I therefore most earnestly recommend the canal to your fostering care, the more so that a large portion of its stock will be confiscated by the Government, and submit to your better judgment a consideration of the proposed improvements. I have the honor to be. your obedient servant, W. F. LYNCH, Flag-Officer. DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, General S. COOPER, Adjt. Gen. C. S. Army, Richmond, Va.: SIR: The vedettes, as I am informed by an official communication from General McLaws, report that the enemy the night before last was sounding the Swash Channel above the mouth of the Warwick River. I think it not improbable that an attempt may be made to land between Land's End and Mulberry Island fort and to carry the fort from the rear. I believe that with the assistance of the ships of war and the fort under the command of Mr. C. St. George Noland, its present com. mander, late of the Navy, the attack, if made, will be unsuccessful. I spoke to the Secretary of War on the subject of Mr. Noland's commission, and recommended him also in writing. He is acting as com. manding officer of this fort (naval battery it was), much to the gratification, I believe, of the captains who rank him; but as he is an officer of great merit and a gentleman of honor and delicacy, he feels the neglect of the Government acutely, and considers himself, as he really is, in a false position. I beg leave therefore to recommend him again to the favorable consideration of the Department, and, as he would have had high rank had he remained in the U. S. Navy, would suggest that the rank of lieutenant-colonel be tendered to him. I have not the boat to send him which he needs, and respectfully request that an order be sent to the Quartermaster's Department in Richmond to send him without delay a boat of the description he requires. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, YORKTOWN, January 10, 1862. His Excellency the PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES: DEAR SIR: I understand that my lines of defense are under discussion at Richmond. I know I can expect from you the justice to postpone any decision until I can report at length, which will be in a few days. In the mean time I will venture the remark that I have taken not only the best but the only way of successfully defending this Peninsula with the means at my disposal, and that its defense will be successful. I did not call out the militia, though at one time I had determined to do so, but merely requested to be furnished with the strength of certain regiments to prepare arms for them, which arms I could procure from the colonels of regiments, belonging, as they informed me, to their States. I only desired to prepare for the emergency of a landing in this Peninsula or on the Rappahannock, which I now think more probable, or for an attack on James River. These arrangements required time. I therefore anticipated the emergency. Colonel Randolph informed me that I was authorized by you to do this; that is, to call out all the militia I could arm. Very respectfully, 46 R R-VOL IV J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding. |