W. M. H. Nobles to Isaao I. Stevens, December 10, 1861

Brig. Gen. IsAAo I. STEVENS, Commanding Second Brigade Expeditionary Corps : SIR: I send you herewith copies of the letters of Brig. Gen. T. W. Sherman and Chief Quartermaster Expeditionary Corps R. Saxton, eaptain, U. S. Army, appointing me agent for the United States Government * to take possession of all the cotton, commissary and quartermasters’ stores, and all public property that I may find in any part of the State of South Carolina deserted by the inhabitants”; also a copy of my letter appointing James A. Suydam my assistant, with full authority with myself. I have taken possession of all the property on Saint Helena, Ladies, and Cat Islands, and have directed Lieutenant Hamilton, of the Fifth Company, and Lieutenant Graham, of the Eighth Company, Seventy-ninth Regiment New York State Militia, to collect and deliver to me all the property on those islands. Mr. Suydam will establish his headquarters at Beaufort, for the purpose of taking possession of all the property, as directed in my instructions. Respecttully, yours, &o.,

W. M. H. NOBLES,