Page:A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Confederacy, Including the Diplomatic Correspondence, 1861-1865, Volume I.djvu/153

Rh cannot be bestowed, whether for the skill of the principal officers or for the gallantry of all of our troops. The battle was mainly fought on our left. Our force was 15,000; that of the enemy estimated at 35,000.

 July 30, 1861. Hon. Howell Cobb. President of the Congress, C. S. A.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the resolution of inquiry of this date in relation to hostile preparations for the descent of the river Mississippi, and whether preparations for defense against such threatened attack have been made, with advice as to the mode of adopting a plan for that purpose, and in reply have to state that the only information I have in relation to the described preparations for descent is derived from public newspapers and rumors; they had, however, such stamp of credibility as to induce to measures to repel the attack if attempted. Estimates have been prepared by the Secretary of the Navy for means described in the accompanying report, and which, in conjunction with the land batteries constructed and others devised, will, it is hoped, be adequate for the need.

 July 31, 1861. Hon. Howell Cobb, President of the Congress. Sir: In accordance with a resolution of the Congress adopted on the 29th inst., I herewith transmit a copy of the report of Lieut. Col. James H. Burton, in charge of Va. Ord. to Maj. J. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance.

 August 1, 1861. Hon. Howell Cobb, President of Congress of Confederate States.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the resolution of inquiry of this date in relation to the commissariat of the Confederate States, and to reply that its condition is, in my judgment, quite 