Nh I P. O. Hebert to Judah P. Benjamin, October 31, 1861

Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Richmond, Va.: l

My DEAR SIR: I had the honor a few days since of addressing an offieial communieation to the War Department, stating as my opinion that an army of some 15,000 men would be necessary to resist an invasion of this State and to protect its frontiers, and to ask for authority to call out that number of volunteers. From my intercourse and correspondence with the authorities and people of this State, I know that. they look for protection at the hands of the Confederate Government, and expect me, its representative, to act in the matter. It is a difficult _ task under the circumstances. All I can do is to call out volunteers, Um and place in their hands such weapons as can be found in the country. – Of lead, powder, and caps the supply is almost nothing at all. I have — called upon the people to collect and preserve all they have. Arrangements have been, by my direction, made with firms here to procure munitions of war from Mexico, giving cotton in exchange, and with some hopes of success. j ;

To tell you how totally unprepared, confused, and defenseless I found this department, and to describe fully the difficulties under which I have labored, and do still, from lack of means, guns, arms, ammunition, and a proper military organization, would be tedious, and employ too

c t A y a = S _ E. CA 2D Jm s

Eee AES Macr psu MANET A r ca much of your valuable time. As an engineer, I can but too well appreciate the defenseless state of the sea-coast, see. plainly what is needed

_ generally, but of course can only deplore my inability to remedy tae

evil. I much fear that I have brought my little military reputation to an early grave. At allevents, I will endeavor to justify the confidence of thé President in charging me with this diffieult command, and trust to your knowledge of the correctness of my motives and your friendship for me to set me right in all matters where I may seem to transcend the

. authority usually vested in commanders of departments.

Very respectfully and truly, yours, >