[Inclosure.] U. S. S. TAHOMA, Saint Mark's Bay, February 29, 1864. Brig. Gen. D. P. WOODBURY, Key West, Fla.: GENERAL: Your note of 26th instant has been received, and also the ammunition, coffee, and sugar; the latter will be useful to the loyal people here, the former not, as they only have the Mississippi rifle and shotguns. I will give it to them, however, and they may be enabled to put it to some use. If possible, I would suggest the advisability of sending them good muskets. I feel certain they would do good service with them. Already have I employed them to assist me on an expedition about 45 miles east of this point to destroy the largest salt-works in the Confederacy-395 kettles and 52 boilers, having capacity to make about 1,600 bushels daily. Some few days since, I had them all called together and regularly organized, under regulations or laws which I prepared. They were formed into two companies, each numbering about 80 men, elected a captain and 3 lieutenants for each. After they had organized I planned a raid on the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad, to strike the bridge over the Suwannee River. Its destruction will give a good deal of trouble in moving their supplies from Tallahassee to their forces confronting General Gillmore's army, between Lake City and Baldwin. I regret to say that I do not think any of them would be willing to enlist in the U. S. Army. They prefer to act independently. Their only objection to enlisting regularly is that they do not want to leave their homes, and they fear that they might be ordered away. Besides, almost every one is married, and that would be a decided objection. Every day they are increasing their numbers; 300 men from General Joe Johnston's army are en route to join them, and I have taken every means to let it be known whenever I have had opportunity that this organization exists here. I have directed some of the most intelligent among them to go out among the people in the different counties and canvass for recruits. Since it is known by the authorities that I am assisting them, they have increased their force in this neighborhood quite largely, which takes so many men from their army that are fighting General Gillmore. If I had arms, bread, and shoes to give them, I am satisfied I could get 500 men together in three weeks, and could employ them destroying railroads, bridges, and manufactories of shot, shell, &c., all of which would do the rebels great injury. They (the refugees) are determined to hang together until they have driven every rebel soldier out of Florida. There is another company down on the Suwannee River whose captain I have seen. I have advised that company to come up here. They number 50 men. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HDQRS. DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Dept. of THE SOUTH, Brig. Gen. J. W. TURNER, Jacksonville, Fla., March 9, 1864. Chief of Staff and Chief of Artillery, Dept. of the South: GENERAL: I have the honor to request that the Harriet A. Weed may be sent here for duty in this river, or that some vessel of light draught, well armed, may be supplied for this purpose. And if a small, very light draught steamer (4 feet) can be supplied for running into the small streams that empty into the Saint John's and into the shallow waters at the head of the river, it will be of the greatest possible value. I trust such may be captured here, but it is too doubtful to be relied upon. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. SEYMOUR, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Brigadier-General TURNER, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: I have this morning decided to occupy Palatka without longer delay, and have accordingly ordered Colonel Barton to proceed to that place to-night; his command is strengthened by five companies of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts (Colonel Hartwell) and two sections of James' battery. Lieutenant Michie accompanies Colonel Barton, with instructions to throw up such defensive works as may be necessary, and to be held by a minimum garrison of about 500. Colonel Barton is instructed to send a force to Orange Springs, if on his arrival he shall ascertain that a steamer is there, and that there is no body of the enemy to oppose materially, and with a view to obtaining possession of a light-draught vessel. As no cavalry can be spared from here, Captain James will mount, for this purpose, as many of his drivers as can be spared. The Columbine, to be followed immediately by the Ottawa, will convoy the transports. It is believed that there are many would-be loyal persons who will resort to us for protection when Palatka is known to be permanently occupied. Respectfully, general, your obedient servant, T. SEYMOUR, OUR Brigadier-General, Commanding. [Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Hilton Head, March 12, 1864. Palatka should be fortified so that the position can be held against great odds. A field-work, inclosed with a formidable obstacle on all sides, will perhaps suffice, and no offensive operations involving the possibility of a defeat should be undertaken until these defenses are in an efficient condition. Q. A. GILLMORE, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 26th ultimo,* in reply to mine of the 13th and 16th. I certainly failed to make myself understood, if I conveyed the idea that I con *See Part I, p. 493. sidered matters of a private and personal character of sufficient importance to take me from my duties. With regard to Florida, my letter of February 13, from Jacksonville, stated briefly the approximate strength and disposition of the forces that I intended to keep there. General Seymour's discomfiture at Olustee has somewhat disarranged my plans and delayed their execution, and has rendered it necessary to place for the present in Florida nearly three times as many troops as I intend to keep there after the defensive arrangements ordered at certain points are completed, and especially after the enemy withdraws a portion of the forces from the State, as he assuredly will when our armies at other points resume active operations. The value of Florida to the enemy has been overlooked by us to a great extent. I am convinced that they have drawn from the counties along the line of the Fernandina and Cedar Keys Railroad an average of 2,000 head of cattle per week during the past year. As regards prospective operations against Charleston, I had a long conference with Rear-Admiral Dahlgren some days since, on the evening before he started for Washington. The admiral desires to resume active operations in that quarter as soon as he receives the expected re-enforcements to his fleet, and it is of course my wish to co-operate with him. I informed the Department in my communication of December 17, 1863, that with 10,000 or 12,000 good infantry I could operate by way of James Island or Bull's Bay. I understood from Admiral Dahlgren that either of these operations, or the capture of Sullivan's Island instead, would meet his views of the requirements of the case. When my veterans return I am prepared to undertake one or the other of these operations. The new colored regiments add materially to my strength for such work. I have directed General Turner, my chief of staff, to deliver this letter. He is prepared to enter more fully upon the merits of the question than I can in writing. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Q. A. GILLMORE, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Brig. Gen. J. W. TURNER, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: I have the honor to report that at daylight this morning Colonel Barton occupied Palatka without opposition. It had not been possible to ascertain the localities of the steamers on the Ocklawaha up to the time the transports left Palatka (3 p. m.). The enemy's cavalry pickets were 9 miles from Palatka, a small force at Gainesville, 1,000 cavalry at Starke. More cavalry is badly needed here, and I would urge that as soon as a few companies of the Third New Hampshire can be mounted they be sent here, where they will be rapidly instructed. Captain Elder desires that he may be furnished with the 12-pounder howitzers left at Kiawah, the 3-inch rifles being of exceedingly little use in a wooded country like this. I suppose that Captain Langdon would also be provided with them instead of the 12-pounder, which is too heavy. The subject merits consideration. Respectfully, your obedient servant, T. SEYMOUR, Brigadier-General, Commanding. [Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Hilton Head, S. C., March 12, 1864. Langdon's and Elder's batteries will have to remain as now organized, which organization was approved and desired by them before they went to Florida. There is more artillery now in Florida than it is the intention to leave there. Palatka should be fortified at once. The Third New Hampshire Mounted Infantry will be sent to General Seymour in a few days. Capt. P. R. CHADWICK, Q. A. GILLMORE, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS BARTON'S BRIGADE, Assistant Adjutant-General, District of Florida: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to advise you that, in accordance with the instructions from the brigadier-general commanding the district, I occupied this place without opposition at early daylight this morning. I learn that the enemy's pickets are at Nine-Mile Hammock, on the Orange Springs road, and at a point 4 miles distant from Pa latka on the Rice Creek road; a force of over 1,000 cavalry, under General Patton Anderson, are at Starke. There is considerable uncertainty as to the present whereabouts of the small steamers which formerly plied on the Saint John's River, but one of them is supposed to be at Fort Brooke. As I have reason to believe that the enemy is ere this apprised of our arrival, I have not deemed it prudent to make an attempt to secure this boat, as any movement in that direction would undoubtedly call down the whole of Anderson's force (it being as near Fort Brooke as we are), and would result in the capture or destruction of the inferior force I might send. I have, however, sent Captain James out in the direction of Nine-Mile Hammock and on the Rice Creek road, for the purpose of capturing a noted rebel or two in that quarter. There seems to be none of the enemy's troops on the Saint Augustine side of the river. I send you a deserter to whose statements I respectfully direct your attention, especially as regards the force in your front. The Delaware and Houghton are sent. The Maple Leaf is hard aground, and the Hunter is employed in unloading her. The defensive works are well under way. W. B. BARTON, Colonel 48th New York Volunteers, Commanding Brigade. FLAG-SHIP NEW IRONSIDES, Off Morris Island, S. C., March 14, 1864. Maj. Gen. Q. A. GILLMORE, Comdg. Department of the South, Hilton Head: SIR: If the services of the U. S. ship McDonough can be spared in Light-House Inlet, I can use her elsewhere. I do not wish to take her from her station, however, if she is useful to you. I should be glad to have your views on the subject. S. C. ROWAN, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, pro tem. 2 R R VOL XXXV, PT II Brig. Gen. J. W. TURNER, Chief of Staff : JACKSONVILLE, March 14. 1854. GENERAL: I have to report that I returned from a visit to Palatka last night. The defensive works there are already in a condition for use, and although more extensive necessarily than was anticipated, on account of the topographic features of the locality, are very favorable for defense by a garrison of from 500 to 800 men. * The redoubt in the center will require two or three siege guns, and I shall probably send there two 24-pounder smooth and one of the old carronades; the two 6-pounders captured here to be so arranged as to be placed wherever circumstances may direct, and to be harnessed by the post teams and left habitually in reserve. As Saint Augustine cannot now be approached by any force except small squads of cavalry, a few of the unimportant guns there might properly be taken either to this point, Jacksonville, or to Palatka. I would recommend that Picolata be occupied soon, or a point immediately opposite it would be better, if a favorable place can be found for holding by a small force. There are many refugees in the vicinity of Palatka, and particularly on the east side of the river, and as soon as it is evident that Palatka is permanently occupied I doubt not but that many deserters will cross to the east side of the river, and that some organization may be effected for their protection. There is no news from the immediate vicinity. I would suggest to the major-general commanding the propriety of bringing to this point, when the veterans shall have returned, every available man in the department, for the purpose of attacking the enemy's force near here. Probably an overpowering attack might have the happiest result, Respectfully, your obedient servant, T. SEYMOUR, Brigadier-General, Commanding. [Indorsement.] MARCH 16, 1864. The intrenchments at Palatka should be made very strong, as regards their power of passive resistance. The establishment of a post at Picolata is not deemed advisable just now. I desire that especial attention be directed to the safety and perfect security of our water communication as far up as Jacksonville. The enemy ought not to be allowed to get on the bank of the stream below that place. Frequent scouts from the river under cover of a gun-boat are recommended. Q. A. GILLMORE, HDQRS. DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH, Brig. Gen. J. W. TURNER, Jacksonville, Fla., March 15, 1864. Chief of Staff and of Artillery, Dept. of the South: GENERAL: I have to report that there are now here three 30pounder and two 20-pounder Parrott rifles, one 24-pounder James *Small diagram omitted. |