E. D. W. Smith to J. J. Elwell, October 10, 1863

Lieut. Col. J. J. ELWELL, Chief Quartermaster, Dept. South, Hilton Head, S.C. :

CoLonEL: I am instructed to direct that for the purpose of carrying into execution the wishes of the major-general commanding in relation to the transmittal of the mails within the department, as communicated to you by him verbally, you cause two steamers to be put on the line between Folly Island and Hilton Head, one of which will leave each end of the route every day. These steamers will carry such amount of freight as can be taken on and discharged without detaining them, but all other business will be made subservient to the carrying of the mails.

You will cause a mail agent to be placed on board each of these steamers, and mail-bags with padlocks and duplicate keys, one of the latter to be left at each end of the route.

The agents will report directly to the postmaster at Hilton Head and to the proper officer at these headquarters, and you will cause the assistant quartermaster at Stono and Pawnee Landing to be supplied with horses and equipments for the exclusive use of the mail agents, to enable them to reach headquarters promptly. After reporting at headquarters, the agent will be instructed to remain there until his return mail is ready.

The mail steamers will land at either Stono or Pawnee Landing.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,