| Hd Qrs Dept S. C. & Ga |
| Charleston May 24th 1862 |
| |
| Hon Jas. Chesnut Jr. |
| Chief Dept Mily S. C. |
| Columbia |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have the honor very
respectfully to acknowledge the receipt of your communication to myself
of the 22nd ult. as well as a copy of your communication to Genl R. E.
Lee C. S. A. dated Jany 20th 1862 relative to the necessity of
stationing military guards "at the important bridges on the lines
connecting this state with Geo & North Carolina. |
| I reply I would respectfully
state that it will be impossible for me to furnish from the Confed
soldiers under my command, the necessary guard, for the points above
alluded to. I do not think any greater necessity, exists at present, why
these bridges should be guarded by Confed troops, than did exist when
Genl Lee had command of this Dept. |
| The points to be guarded too
are in the most unhealthy portions of the state, and would require under
the military system. a much larger force than one hundred men, though I
admit they could be guarded by one hundred citizens, not subject to
military duty, employed by the different RRd companies, which I confess
appears to me, the most legitimate kind of guards to employ on such
duty, I would also add, that my command, has been very much diminished
since Gen Lee' departure from this Dept. and I have within the five
minutes received a telegraphic order to send to Virginia one of my
Brigades. Regretting my inability to oblige his Excellency the Govr &
council in this matter. |
| I am &c &c |
| J. C. Pemberton |
| Maj Genl Comdg |
|