Unknown to Henry W. Halleck, October 18, 1863

Major-General HaLLEck, General-in-Chief, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.:

Sir: I have the honor to state, in reply to your letter of the 8th instant, on the subject of drafted men for the regiments of this command, that I do not favor the exchange of any regiments here with stronger ones, if there is any certainty of my obtaining these men as soon as there no longer exists any objection to sending them here on the score of climate.

There is no danger to be apprehended in coming here now, and if the order to send on conscripts was issued at once none would arrive until November, later in the season than the Sherman expedition reached this coast in 1861. Detachments from the several regiments are now north, some of them engaged in conveying drafted men to other armies. I can see no reason in the climate here for further delay, and respectfully request that the necessary orders be issued to the commanders of the depots for drafted men.

It is true that Anderson’s brigade has recently re-enforced the enemy at Charleston, and forms a portion of the garrison at Sullivan’s Island, Anderson himself being in command there. I refer to the Anderson who married the sister of Lieut. Col. H. B. Clitz.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,