Jos. S. Claghorn to R. M. Cuyler, September 15, 1861

Capt. R. M. CUYLER, Chief of Ordnance, Military District of Savannah :

CAPTAIN: I am in receipt of yours of the 14th. In compliance with your request I inclose herewith a statement of the companies stationed at this post, with number of men, number and description of arms, and amount of ammunition, as given me by the captains of companies.* Seven thousand of the 8,000 cartridges sent here, subject to the order of Colonel Mercer, have been sent to Tybee. Out of the 1,000 left the guard are being supplied.

The 4,000 cartridges in the ordnance store-room, to which you refer, were made by the Irish Jasper Greens, and are ball, without buck-shot. They will answer, perhaps, for the Washington Volunteers, but Captain McMahon prefers the cartridges with buck-shot. There are no caps with them.

We have not made any fuses yet, having no fuse die that we can use. As soon as we can obtain fuse dies we will commence making fuses. We ean easily work three or four dies if we have them. We have ours made at the Central Railroad workshops, which is imperfect. I send it up by this boat. If you will send it to Mr. Burns, at the Central Railroad, I have no doubt but that he will have the mistake corrected. If you will examine it you will see around that some of the forms for the fuses are very irregular; the taper does not extend to the small end, and if it did it would make the fuse too large at that end. i

We want about a dozen small copper funnels (perbaps tin would answer) for filling shells; there are but two here. We also want a few

fuse reamers.

Will you permit me to suggest the propriety of holding a survey upon the carriages of the barbette guns? I very much fear that they are not calculated to withstand the shock of repeated firing. Would it not be well to attend to this at once, and, if it is decided that the pine is not

suitable, have oak procured and carriages made without delay? Iam informed that seasoned oak enough to replace all the barbette carriages can be had at Darien.

Permit me also to bring to your notice the small supply of cannon powder now in our magazines, it being but about 45,000 pounds. The Navy holds an order on the fort for 1,700 or 1,800, which, if delivered, will reduce the quantity of shot made. .

Why eannot Captain Echols and yourself visit the fort some day this week and assist us with your advice?

very respectfully, your obedient servant,