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[208] time four and a half seconds. The shot, weighing with patch twelve pounds, were thrown from these rifled six-pounders with precision enough to strike a section nearly every time; and most of them were thrown within four feet lateral deviations, towards the latter part of the trial. The guns are bronze, of course.

At twelve degrees elevation, chronometer measurement over water indicated a flight of two and a half miles before ricochet. At twenty degrees, ricochet was lost.

The shells burst beautifully. There is no lead to strip off over the heads of men, and they are very safe to handle or drop. The charge fits so loosely, expanding after ignition of the powder, that a child can ram the shot home. Major Cobb can fire one hundred rounds from his battery in six minutes.

Every thing—horses, wagons, and all—is ready for your call.

I have the honor to be sir, your most respectful and obedient servant,

Horace Binney Sargent, Aide-de-camp.

June 10.—The Governor writes to Governor Buckingham, of Connecticut, ‘I have your letter of the 7th, inclosing duplicate letter of credit for £ 10,000 on George Peabody, which you state will be sent to Mr. Crowninshield. That gentleman has already received orders to execute your orders; and I trust that he will be able to do so.’

On the same day, the Governor gave written instructions to Colonel Ritchie, of his personal staff, to visit our regiments at the front, and confer with General Scott as regards future movements, and to report. The Governor writes to General Scott, asking the discharge of Captain Henry S. Briggs, of the Eighth Regiment, M. V.M., three months regiment, that he may commission him colonel of the Tenth Regiment, three years service. Captain Briggs was discharged, and commissioned colonel of the Tenth, June 21, 1861. He served gallantly through the war, and was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers by President Lincoln, for brave and meritorious services in the field. He was wounded in the seven days fight before Richmond, in 1862, but remained in service to the end of the war. He is a son of the late Hon. George N. Briggs, formerly Governor of Massachusetts, and he is now Auditor of State, having been elected three times to that responsible position.

June 14.—Governor telegraphs to the Secretary of War,

1868. E. P. DUtton and Co. Boston,.

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