WAR DEPARTMENT, A. G. O.,
Montgomery, Ala., March 23, 1861.
Brig. Gen. BRAXTON-BRAGG,
Commanding Pensacola Harbor:
SIR: The Secretary of War wishes to be informed, at your earliest convenience, whether any reconnaissance or examination of the country in your rear toward Perdido Bay, and along the Gulf coast, has been made. Having in view the transport of supplies from Mobile to Pensacola, it is of eminent importance to know whether the long transit between Blakely and the latter point can in any way be avoided. You are therefore requested to transmit any information which you may have on the subject, and to ascertain, if possible, whether communication by water, portage, and land carriage can be made between Bonsecours Bay, Perdido Bay, and Pensacola Harbor, and, if so, the least depth of water and the length of portage it would be necessary to make.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General.