Alfred Roman, The military operations of General Beauregard in the war between the states, 1861 to 1865

Telegram.

Governor Milton telegraphs following: ‘Enemy's force at least five thousand strong; not force enough in State to prevent his passing through it. Colonel McLellan, West Florida, telegraphs for reinforcements. Immense loss of subsistence for armies and of property seems inevitable. We need at least five thousand additional troops.’ Have sent Governor Milton all I can spare without risking loss of Charleston or Savannah. Cannot two brigades be ordered from Northwestern Georgia or North Carolina temporarily?

Telegram.

General Finegan reports enemy about to attack him near Lake City. Rapidity of movement indicates Tallahassee as the objective point—probably to form junction with forces from the Gulf. I have ordered two and a half additional regiments and one light battery to Florida to prevent loss of that State, but have much weakened thereby Savannah and railroad to that city. If one brigade could be sent here and another to Savannah, I would send immediately balance of Colquitt's troops to General Finegan. A prompt answer is desirable, as well as for two general officers I applied for few days since.

Telegram.

General Finegan's success yesterday was very creditable, enemy's force being much superior to his own; his reinforcements had not yet reached him, owing to delays on roads. Losses not yet reported.

Dear Sir,—In answer to your request, and also that it will be a pleasure to do anything in my power for General Beauregard, to give my old general the particulars of the fish torpedo-boat that struck the Housatonic. After the evacuation I took the contract of removing all the Confederate wrecks and obstructions. I claimed that the fish torpedo-boat was in my contract. Professor Mallefeil claimed that it was in his contract, and that he had the contract of lifting all the United States wrecks that were in Charleston Harbor. And I went to work to save the torpedo-boat, and I got on the top of her, and found out the cause of her sinking. The boat is outside or alongside of the Housatonic. She can be lifted any time our people wish. Mallefeil is bursted and out of the way. I have no more to say than that she can be saved, and my opinion is she is as good as the day she was sunk.

Yours, truly,