General-in-Chief to E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, November 23, 1863

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:

Sir: Major-General Gillmore, commanding Department of the South, some time since recommended that a part of his troops be employed in some other operation while awaiting the preparations of the naval commander for an attack on Charleston.

Dispatches received from him to-day, dated the 20th instant, state that the additional monitors expected for the proposed attack will not be ready in less than a month; moreover, that, in his opinion, the enemy’s works of defense have been and will be increased more rapidly than the number of monitors for the attack, so that we will gain no relative strength by waiting ; in other words, that the chances of a naval attack were greater at the time the guns of Fort Sumter were first silenced than they now are or are likely to be hereafter.

General Banks is urgently asking for re-enforcements; and it may, at any moment, be necessary to send additional troops to General Grant’s command. The only source from which such forces can be drawn, without endangering important positions, is from the

Army of the Potomac. But that army is in the face of the enemy and may be immediately engaged in battle.

Under these circumstances, it becomes an important question whether the forces of General Gillmore, not required to hold the points which he now occupies, should not be made available for service elsewhere. These troops were originally sent to Charleston Harbor, and are now retained there, simply as auxiliaries to a proposed naval attack upon that city. It was never intended that they should make an assault on or besiege that place by land.

As this matter involves the action of naval as well as military forces, I offer no recommendations, but simply submit the question for the orders of the Executive.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,