Jno. A. Dahlgren to P.G.T. Beauregard, September 10, 1863

General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Commanding Confederate Forces, Charleston, S. C.:

Sir: I have received a copy of a communication from your chief of staff to the commander of Fort Sumter, in regard to alleged discourtesy to flag of truce sent by you tome. You are altogether misinformed. The steamer sent by you was guilty of impropriety, in entering much farther within our lines than was necessary for its purpose, and no doubt received notice to that effect. General Gillmore complained to me on the spot, that his batteries were being exosed to ths view of those on land, and I observed the fact myself. This was rather sharp practice, which your officer omitted to make known to you.

On the other hand, when a flag of truce was sent by me in relation. to the firing at our men in the water, I noticed its being fired at so often that I was puzzled to know what it meant. No doubt you were not cognizant of these facts, but you ought to have been so before asking explanations. Now, the fact is, that under existing circumstances all communications are limited to the wants of prisoners, and there I am willing to leave them. If you choose to listen to the pretexts of those who carry your flags of truce, and trump up allegations of discourtesy in order to cover their own practices, so be it, though the result will be hard on our prisoners, who receive letters, clothing, and money.

Your own men will not suffer, for their comforts are better attended to with us than if they were not prisoners. I shall continue to send flags of truce when the necessity arises. You may refuse them or not.

As for any question between yourself and General Gillmore, that is no concern of mine. General Gillmore is abundantly able to take care of his own part.

I believe that the visit of your steamer coincided with another event which admits of considerable explanation. That night one of the few escapes through the blockade occurred. The captain of the steamer is, if I am correctly informed, the person charged with having allowed our men to be fired at in the water. If he falls gto my hands I will give him an opportunity of disproving the charge.

So you perceive that this demand for explanation ends where such usually do, and I suppose will be considered as offensive as the original grievance, which is certainly not intended.

I am unable to perceive why you choose to communicate with me through your chief of staff and the commander of Fort Sumter, instead of addressing me directly.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,