H. G. Wright to Louis Bell, April 8, 1862

Jacksonville, Fla., April 8, 1862.

Lieut. Col. Louis BELL . Comdg. Fourth N. H. Regiment, Saint Augustine, Fla.: COLONEL: The major-general commanding the department having directed the abandonment of Jacksonville as a military post and the ve-enforcement of the garrison at Saint Augustine, I send by the Belvi9 R R—VOL VI

dere four companies of your regiment and the regimental quartermas.er to report to you. “There will also be delivered at the same time subsistence and forage for about sixty days and 60,000 rounds of cartridges (ealiber .69), for all of which Quartermaster Kelly has receipted. The remaining three companies of your regiment, under Major Drew, will go to Fernandina, to re-enforce the garrison at that point. The post at the mouth of the Saint John’s, at which Captain Sleeper, Fourth New Hampshire Volunteers, with his company, is now stationed, will also be abandoned. What the arrangements in regard to commands and brigades will be I am unable to say at present. Until further instructions are received you will therefore consider yourself as the commander of the post at Saint Augustine, and make your reports to the headquarters of General Benham, commanding the Northern District. Captain Ransom’s battery, likewise on the Belvidere, is to proceed to Hilton Head on that vessel without delay. Please afford the steamer all dispatch in unloading. I shall advise that the Belvidere or some other light-draught steamer be sent back to ply between Fernandina and Saint Augustine. I go to Hilton Head with the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.