H. W. Benham, April 3, 1862

No. 3. Port Royal, S. C., April 3, 1862.

The following-named officers are hereby announced as additional members of the staff of the major-general commanding Department of the South, and will report accordingly :

director; Capt. Louis H. Pelouze (Fifteenth Infantry, U. S. Army), acting inspector-general; First Lieut. Francis J. Shunk (Ordnanee Department, U. S. Army), chief of ordnance; First Lieut. James H. Wilson, (Topographieal Engineers, U. S. Army), chief topographical engineer; First Lieut. E. J. Keenan (Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers), chief signal officer.

By eommand of Maj. Gen. D. Hunter:

CHAS. G. HALPINE, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HpQRs. NORTHERN DISTRICT, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH, Hilton Head, S. 0., April 4, 1862. Brig. Gen. EGBERT L. VIELE, Commanding U. S. Forces, Daufuskie Island, S. O.:

GENERAL: Your letters reporting your reconnaissance were received late in the night, and the conclusion I come to is that the point you have marked B on Long Island should be selected for a battery; the ridge has width enough by your description for all the guns. I propose four in all that we have available, for which 30 yards will suffice, as little traverse is required; and, if more were needed and were available, I can see no objection to placing a second battery in rear of the first, the latter to be vacated by the men at the actual time of firing the rear battery. I would hope it might be possible to prepare a battery of four guns in less time than eight or ten days. I think it will be best to make your arrangements for the construction of such a battery—not for direct fire, of course, at that distance—and, besides, we cannot conveniently arrange pintle centers, &c. This you will recollect is for two 10-inch and two 8-inch columbiads, and, if I can procure a proper scow, I will also arrange for a battery for rifled pieces for direct fire.

I will communicate with you again by this afternoon’s courier or in the morning.

Very respectfully, your obediant servant,