Alfred H. Terry to Henry W. Halleck, November 18, 1863
Respectfully forwarded for the consideration of the General-inChief.
An advance on Branchville, from the coast, would at once transfer the theater of war into South Carolina. The subject is one which has been discussed, pro and con, ever since this coast was occupied by our forces in November, 1861. There is, perhaps, no point where so much could be gained on so short a line of operations. _Two lines of railroad would be cut by reaching Branchville. The bulk of Bragg’s and Lee’s army would doubtless have to be encountered. The project is not without its objectionable features, strategically.
Q. A. GILLMORE, Major-General.
Abstract from return of the Department of the South, Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, U.S. Army, commanding, for October, 1863 ; headquarters Folly Island.
: = Present for = g Pieces of duty. § 2 : artillery. 2 £3 a ad Station and command, g QB ra So fos : ® ; E £8 We ce € q oo 3 = o do do ® a co) = < < ise) Fy General headquarters... 0-2 eens saa ue eee
Morris Islandi(Seymoun)meenmcn. ..se
Folly Island (Vogdes and Schimmelfennig
Hilton Bead Island (Strawbridge)…….. nine eee
Port Royal Island (Saxtony. 1.5.5 ooo .wsiew deeastchie seins
Saint Bielena Island (Hawley) oo… care ae stetess ero cis otter
op g se SAN O RS ou OA WaN OC) Rag anenentctsautctattes Snnreceaposseean 6 191 251 0 ERG iSite Bemaridina (Gussys.c 5 e ae dete eleetain ae etree ot oe 27 594 ie SQ ilsee wanlterscte SaintyAucustine: (Osborn). 55. sceiace we oe ene acer 23 491 715 S18 lacus len ceed 10th Connecticut (Greeley), en rowte…….. ….ceee eee 12 285 551 G44 SR Wem
Motalcncate ncn este ee Oo eee 1,139 20,720 30,213 37,830] 93 42 7th Connecticut from Morris Island to Saint Helena Island. 10th Connecticut ordered, October 28, from Morris Island to Saint Augustine. 1ith Maine arrived at Morris Island October 8, from Fernandina. Ist Ne oe Engineers (seven companies) from Morris Island to Folly Island, ctober 3, 47th New York from Morris Island to Folly Island, October 27.
48th New York from Saint Augustine, four companies to Beaufort and four to Hilton Head.
97th Pennsylvania left Morris Island October 2, for Fernandina. 1st South Carolina (colored), Companies A and F, from Hilton Head to Beaufort,
Abstract from “‘ Record of Events” on the several returns of the Department of the South, for October, 1863.
October 11.—Col. H. M. Plaisted assumed command of First Bripoe Seymour’s (Terry’s) division, relieving Lieut. Col. Gilman E. eeper.
October 13.—The Seventh Connecticut ordered to south end of Saint Helena Island, to serve as ” boat infantry.”
October 17,—Forts Strong and Putnam and Battery Chatfield garrisoned.
October 18.—Brigadier-General Seymour assigned temporarily to command of the troops on Morris Island.
October 24.—Brigadier-General Gordon going on leave of absence, Brigadier-General Schimmelfennig assumes command of his division, and Colonel von Gilsa succeeds to the command of the First Brigade.
October 26.—Opened fire to complete the destruction of Fort Sumter.
October 28.—Howell’s (Second) brigade transferred from Terry’s to Gordon’s division.
New HAveEn, Conn., November 1, 1863.
Brig. Gen. G. W. Cuutuum, U.S. Army, Washington, D. C.:
GENERAL: I inclose copies of a portion of Major-General Gillmore’s correspondence with Rear-Admiral Dahlgren.* It was furnished to me to be used in accomplishing the object of my late visit to Washington, and I was instructed to file it in the War Department when I should no longer have use for it. I am ignorant of the bureau in the Department to which it should be sent, and I therefore take the liberty of forwarding it to you. If you will be sokindas to send it to its proper destination, you will enable me to fulfill General Gillmore’s wishes, and will lay me under great obligations.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient