Robert E. Lee to Pickens, November 9, 1861
Ooosawhatchie, November 9, 1861.
Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN Secretary of War:
Sœ: On the evening of the 7th, on my way to the entrance of Port Royal Harbor, I met General Ripley, returning from the battery at the north end of Hilton Head, called Fort Walker. He reported that the enemy’s fleet had passed the batteries and entered the harbor. Nothing could then be done but to make arrangements to withdraw the troops from the batteries to prevent their capture and save the public property. The troops were got over during the night, but their tents, clothing, and provisions were mostly lost, and all the guns left in the batteries. General Drayton’s command was transferred from Fort Walker to Bluffton; Colonel Dunovant’s from Bay Point to Saint Helena Island and thence to Beaufort. There are neither batteries nor guns for the defense of Beaufort, and Colonel Dunovant crossed Port Royal Ferry yesterday, and was halted at Garden’s Corner. General Drayton reports he has but 955 men with him, and no field battery, the troops from Georgia that were on the island having returned to Savannah without orders. Colonel Dunovant’s regiment is in as destitute a condition as General Drayton’s command, as they were obliged to leave everything behind, and number between 600 and 700 men. I wrote to General Lawton to endeavor to withdraw the guns from the battery at the south end of Hilton Head. I have received as yet no report from him nor any official account from the commanders of the batteries. I fear every gun has been lost. At present I am endeavoring to collect troops to defend the line of the railroad and to push forward the defenses of Oharleston and Savannah.
Colonel Clingman’s regiment of North Carolina volunteers, six companies of Colonel Edwards’ regiment of South Carolina volunteers, and Colonel Martin’s South Carolina cavalry compose the force now here. The enemy, having complete possession of the water and inland navigation, commands all the islands on this coast, and threatens both. Savannah and Charleston, and can come in his boats within 4 miles of this place. His sloops of war and large steamers can come up Broad River to Mackay’s Point, the mouth of the Pocotaligo, and his gunboats can ascend some distance up the Coosawhatchie and Tulifiny. We have no guns that can resist their batteries, and have no resource but to prepare to meet them in the field. They have landed on Hilton Head. Their fleet is in Port Royal Harbor. Four of their gunboats are reported to be approaching Beaufort. I fear there are but few State troops ready for the field. The garrisons of the forts at Charleston and Savannah and on the coast cannot be removed from the batteries while ignorant of the designs of the enemy. I am endeavoring to bring into the field such light batteries as can be prepared.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
General, Commanding.
RICHMOND, November 9, 1861.
Governor PICKENS,
Columbia, S. O.:
General Lee is in command of the department embracing South Carolina and Georgia, as well as Eastern Florida. This was done in order
to enable him to concentrate all our forees at any point that might be
attacked. It is not necessary to send you regiments from this distance,