P.G.T. Beauregard to Hugh W. Mercer, July 26, 1863

Brig. Gen. H. W. MERcER, Savannah, Ga.:

War Department authorizes impressment of slaves to work on fortifications, obeying provisions of law on subject. See General

Orders, No. 37. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General, Commanding.

232 S$. ©. AND G. A. COASTS, AND IN MID. AND E, FLA. _— [(Cuar. X. L.

CHARLESTON §S. C., July 26, 1863. Col. J. S. PRESTON, Columbia, S. C.:

Cars of the Charlotte Railroad, during present emergency, loaded with guns or ammunition for this place, must be sent through without being unloaded. Take measures to enforce this.

THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff.

CHARLESTON, 8. C., July 26, 1863. Col. D. B. Harris, Chief Engineer, Charleston, S. C.:

CoLONEL: It is desirable as soon as a battery is nearly completed and ready for its armament, that you should inform these headquarters, the district headquarters, and the chief of ordnance of the fact, in order that its armament should be sent to it without loss of time.

Please report how many batteries are now ready for their guns.

There are at the arsenal several thousand (about 3,000) lances or pikes, which could be advantageously used as chevawax-de-frise in front of Battery Wagner, or palisades in the ditch; they could be obtained on a requisition. Please have the matter attended to at once.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,