J. Bankhead Magruder to R. 8S. Garnett, April 29, 1861

Col. R. 8S. GARNETT, Adjutant-General, Virginia Army, Richmond, Va.:

Sir: I have the honor to report that there are three light artillery batteries now together at the artillery barracks, Baptist Seminary, viz: Randolph’s (of six pieces, called the Howitzer Battery), Cabell’s (four pieces of light artillery), and Latham/’s (four pieces of light artillery). Two pieces will be added to Randolph’s battery, he having two hundred and twenty-five drilled men in his company. I propose that these two pieces should be Parrotts rifled cannon, as being more nearly the weight of Randolph’s howitzers, which are of the Dahlgren pattern.

I have to request that the battery of rifled cannon (Parrotts), now in charge of Captain Walker, and some forty men, not mustered into service, and now at Fredericksburg, Va., be ordered to the artillery barracks near this place, and, after turning over their cannon and implements, that Captain Walker’s company (if it can be made up to its proper complement) be received into the artillery service and drilled so as to be ready for service with any battery that may be prepared for it.

Randolph’s battery, being divided into two batteries, of four, pieces each, both under his command, will thus (with-the cadet battery) make six batteries, of four pieces each, which should be housed immediately. I have to request, therefore, that three hundred and fifty-six horses be purchased without delay for mounting these companies, and that the Quartermaster-General should be directed to send them out to the artillery barracks (as they may be called for by requisitions of the captains, approved by the proper authorities), and to furnish, also, the necessary halters, riding-saddles and bridles, picket-rope, girths, horseblankets, horseshoes, and forage; also, that the Ordnance Department be instructed to furnish such batteries of light artillery with their harness and caissons complete, and battery wagons and forges, as may be required from time to time by requisition, and to purchase at once the running-gear of as many wagons as can be conveniently turned into caissons, for the service of such pieces as are or may be mounted.

The following is the estimate of horses for each battery, subject to

“such modifications as experience may suggest, viz: Randolph’s Dahlgren

howitzers, with two rifled guns attached, 84 horses; Cabell’s light battery, of four pieces, 68 horses ; Latham’s light battery, of four pieces, 68 horses; rifled battery, of four pieces, at Fredericksburg, 63 horses ; cadet battery, of four guns, at the fair grounds, 68 horses. Total for six batteries, 356 horses.

ks For the purpose of assisting in drilling these companies, I request that ten cadets, of the higher classes, be detached and ordered to report to me for temporary duty. They will be borne on the provision return of one of the eoipanies, and arrangements will be made for messing and quartering them comfortably. I recommend that the cadet battery be turned over to me also, to be prepared for the field and for the purposes of drill. I request, also, that as many artillery officers (late of the U. S. Army) as can be spared be ordered to report to me for duty. At present I have no staff officers of any description.

There are field pieces enough in the State for more than twenty companies, or two regiments. Taking that as a basis, and deducting six batteries (the horses of which have been estimated for above), there will be required for the remaining batteries, if six horses to a piece be used, 952 horses; if four, 616 horses. Should any of the batteries be of 12-pounder guns and 24-pounder howitzers, which I would recommend to a limited extent, then the estimate would be increased proportionately.

There is at the camp of the cadets one rifled gun (Parrott), without carriage. I think it ought to be sent to the artillery barracks. Colonel Gillam offered it to me, and also informed me that Sergeant Rapwtsay, an experienced ordnance sergeant, was at my service, and recommended him strongly to me. 1 should like to have him ordered to report to me at once. Iam also informed that the cadets have sixty-five artillery sabers, which I desire to get, as one of the companies of artillery has not an arm of any kind with which to arm themselves, even as sentinels.

As the making of harness for artillery seems to be a slow operation, from the scarcity of mechanics, I would respectfully recommend that a pattern of the artillery harness be sent to each of the considerable towns on the lines of the railroads, where they can be manufactured. Some carriages might also be procured with more rapidity in this way, as well as tents, which the artillery companies, that have reported, are in want of.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,