J. P. Benjamin to Cmar. XV.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.â( ONFEDERATE. 341, December 8, 1861
Richmond, December 8, 1861.
SIR: Your letter of 3d instant was received on the 7th. Since its reception I have telegraphed, announcing that measures had been taken to re-enforce you with three batteries of field artillery and three regiments of infantry, and that several other regiments would be sent. The three on the way to you are Donelson’s brigade, of two Tennessee regiments, and Starke’s regiment. ‘They were all ordered to re-enforce General Floyd, but did not reach him in time to prevent his retreat. His whole foree has now been withdrawn from Western Virginia, and I expect further to send you Russell’s Mississippi regiment, Phillips’ Georgia regiment, Waddill’s Louisiana battalion, and perhaps some others. T’loyd’s army is now on railroad near Wytheville, and as soon as it has been inspected and furnished with its necessary supplies of tents, camp equipage, &c., say in about five or six days, the additional troops just mentioned will be sent you, unless some unforeseen exigency shall render it impossible. I am firm in my purpose not to give a musket to a man enlisted for less than the war (or three years, which is the same thing), and therefore I beg that you will inform Governors Pickens and Brown that if they have no “war” troops ready to receive the arms you still retain in your hands, you will at once arm the other regiments mentioned in your letter, and if they are unable to promise the troops immediately, you will please write Colonel Mitchell that you are authorized by this Department to arm his regiment, and to order it to Savannah or Charleston for that purpose. I had nearly forgotten to say Colonel Dowd’s regiment of Mississippians, unarmed, has been ordered to Savannah to receive arms from you if Georgia has no “war” troops to receive them, and must therefore be armed before Colonel Mitchell’s regiment. Keep me advised of your wants, that I may send you everything our means will permit.
Your obedient servant,
Secretary of War.
GARDEN’s CORNER, December 8, 1861—11.30 p. m.
Capt. T. A. WASHINGTON
Assistant Adjutant- General, Coosawhatchie, S. 0.:
OAPTAIN: Half an hour ago I received information from Captain Maffit
that a small force of the enemy were landing at Cunningham Point;