ORDNANCE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, November 1, 1860.
Col. J. L. GARDNER,
Commanding Fort Moultrie, Charleston, S.C.:
SIR: I transmit herewith a copy of a letter addressed by me to the Secretary of War, which has been approved by him, and which I submit to you for your views as to the expediency or propriety of placing arms in the hands of hired men for the purpose indicated.
Should you approve the measure I will thank you to request Military Storekeeper Humphreys to make the issue indicated in said letter, and to report the fact to this office that it may be covered by an order for supplies.
Respectfully, &c.,
H. K. CRAIG,
Colonel of Ordnance.
[Inclosure.]
ORDNANCE OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
October 31, 1860.
Hon. J. B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War:
SIR: There is at Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, now in course of construction, besides a part of its armament, a considerable quantity of ammunition, &c., and it has been suggested by the Engineer officer in charge of the work that a few small-arms placed in the hands of his workmen for the protection of the Government property there might be a useful precaution. If the measure should, on being communicated, meet with the concurrence of the commanding officer of the troops in the harbor, I recommend that I may be authorized to issue forty muskets to the Engineer officer.
With much respect,
H. K. CRAIG,
Colonel of Ordnance.
[Indorsement.]
WAR DEPARTMENT,
October 31, 1860.
Approved:
J. B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War.