Samuel Cooper to P.G.T. Beauregard, July 21, 1863

Department of Justice.

I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an act of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, approved on the 1st day of May, 1863, and of which the original roll is deposited in this office.

In faith whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of this Department, at Richmond, this 23d day of July, 1863.

Richmond, July 21, 1863. His Excellency M. L. Bonuam, Governor of South Carolina:

DEAR SiR: I have the honor to acknowledge yours of the 17th instant, presented by the Hon. W. P. Miles. Before its receipt, General Beauregard had requested a further supply of Brooke and other heavy guns, and I had directed attention to his request.

It would be useless to recount our losses or the delays and disappointments which have attended our efforts to manufacture heavy guns. The result is, we have a very inadequate supply to meet the present wants of the service.

From the few on hand, it was ordered that two Brooke rifled guns, 9,000 pounds and 6.4-inch caliber, should be sent for use in the present defense of Charleston.

One large triple-banded 7-inch Brooke gun will, it is reported, be completed this week, when it can also be sent.

These guns are for naval armament, but are not immediately

required for that purpose, and I hope will, in the meantime, prove serviceable at Charleston.

You can scarcely feel more solicitous than myself for the safety of Charleston, and will not doubt that all that can be consistently done to secure that success for which we earnestly pray will be freely performed,

The season, it is to be hoped, will prove injurious to Northern men, exposed, as they must be, on the beach of Morris Island.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,