Unknown to R. S. Ripley, December 4, 1861
Ooosawhatchie, December 4, 1861.
General R. S. RIPLEY, Commanding, &c., Oharleston, 8. O.:
GENERAL: Will you please inform me whether the Marion Artillery mentioned in your letter of the 4th,* now preparing for field service, is the battery referred to in General Gistâs communication, of which you were notified, and whether the Washington Artillery is intended by the governor to be attached permanently to Stevensâ Legion, or for general service in the field ? ;
Your plan of occupying the country between the Edisto and Combahee and occupying Edisto Island would be advantageous, if you had sufficient troops and guns to retain such an extent of country; but unless you can make the line sufficiently strong, or at least have the means of withdrawing the troops, it will, I fear, expose them to be taken in detail. If all the force was concentrated at advantageous points, I think the defense of the approaches would be more effective. I do not know
whether you intenl the forts at Tar Bluff, Rhettâs Bluff, Edisto Inlet, &c., to be temporary and for the protection of the property in their vicinity, or permanent. SE R. E. LEE, General, Commanding.