WAR DEPARTMENT,
Montgomery, March 2, 1861.
Brigadier-General BEAUREGARD,
Commanding at Charleston:
GENERAL: The Secretary of the Treasury has directed Governor Pickens to transfer to your credit, as commanding officer at Charleston, the sum of $20,000, to meet your present necessities. Other arrangements are in progress, with every prospect of speedy success, to place to your credit such sums as you may need from time to time. If you have failed to secure the services of a competent assistant adjutant and quartermaster, let me know it without delay, as I can now supply you with these officers. As there may be some temporary dissatisfaction with the State troops at Charleston, owing to the fact that you have superseded their commanding officers, it might be proper for you, soon as possible, to muster one or more companies at least into the Provisional Army. This would give you an organized and independent action.
I suggest, unless in your opinion it is absolutely necessary, that you decline to receive any cavalry into the Provisional Army, as you are aware the cost of this arm of the service is very heavy, and it is more than probable that the necessities of your position at Charleston will not require this outlay.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. P. WALKER,
Secretary of War.
