Unknown to Judah P. Benjamin, December 3, 1861

Coosawhatchie, S. O., December 3, 1861.

Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: In a letter received to-day from Col. John S. Preston, whom I had assigned to the duty of mustering into the service of the Confederate States such troops as might offer themselves for the war from the State of South Carolina or be transferred by the governor, it is stated that the only transfers made up to this time are four companies for twelve-months’ service. Even for twelve months the recruiting is very languid; for the war not one company has yet offered, and not one new regiment will be organized in three months. The entire levy will be for terms less than the war, and generally for twelve months, forlocal defense and special service. I fear that there will be great delay in organizing even such a force as ean be armed, unless some measures can be resorted to to procure men.

Ihave received an applieation from J. C. B. Mitchell, Montgomery, Ala., to furnish arms to a regiment of that State on my own terms, and have also been informed that Col. Charles C. Lee, Thirty-seventh Regiment North Carolina Volunteers, has written to Governor Clark to know if his regiment could not be transferred to this State and armed. I consider that the arms at my disposal are for the troops of Georgia and South Carolina.

I yesterday visited Port Royal Sound, with the view of organizing a light force to cut off, if possible, the enemy’s marauding parties on the islands. No attempts have yet been made on the main-land, nor could I discover any indication of any movement. The fleet in large force lay extended across the sound from Hilton Head to Bay Point, perfeetly quiescent, and no troops were visible except a picket at Hilton Head Ferry.

orsa Lawton reports that the enemy has evacuated Tybee Island.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your photon servant,

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General, Commanding.