Horatio G. Wright to L. H. Pelouze, January 29, 1862

UAP”AIN: In pursuance of the instructions of the general commanding, dated the 21st and 25th instant, I proceeded on the morning of the

26th, with the transports carrying my command, in company with the gunboats, to Warsaw Sound, Ga., where we arrived and anchored about 2 o’clock the same day. The naval portion of the expedition, commanded by Capt. Charles H. Davis, U. S. Navy, was composed of the gunboats Ottawa, Capt. T. H. Stevens; the Seneca, Captain Ammen; the Isaac H. Smith, Captain Nicholson; the Potomska, Captain Watmough ; the Ellen, Captain Budd ; the Western World, Captain Gregory, and two armed launches, with their crews, from the Wabash, under the command of Capt. C. R. P. Rodgers, U. S. Navy.

It was arranged between Captain Davis and myself that two companies of troops should be placed on board the gunboats, and that the latter should proceed to reconnoiter the passage known on our maps as Wilmington Narrows. Accordingly the next morning, the troops having been taken on board, the gunboats proceeded up the Narrows, leaving the transports at anchor in the sound. I accompanied Captain Davis, in the Ottawa. No obstruction to our progress was met with, or any signs of an enemy discovered, before reaching a position in the Narrows between the plantations marked on our sketches as Scriven’s and Gibson’s. At this point the passage forks, and it was discovered that the one leading to the right was obstructed by a double line of piling of heavy timber, near which we anchored.

Soon after anchoring I went on shore with Captain Rodgers, of the Navy, to examine the lower of the three. plantations, taking with us, to cover the landing, the two large launches, each carrying a boat howitzer, and to serve as skirmishers after landing 20 men from the troops were taken, to act in connection with the launches’ crews, which were armed with rifles. The place was found to be utterly deserted, with no evidence of its having been occupied for weeks and perhaps months. All the movable property of every description had been carried off. No signs of life were visible. Soon after our return on board, however, a party of some 5 or 6 men were seen from one of the gunboats, who were dispersed by a shot from the vessel.

The following morning, the 28th, I started in a small boat with Lieutenant Barnes, of the Wabash, temporarily with the launches, to examine the Narrows above the piles. Lieutenant Barnes had been over the same ground the evening before, with the black pilot Isaac, to a point which the latter represented as within a short distance of the entrance into Saint Augustine Creek. We proceeded a little farther only, as we eame to fast land, where it was probable that piekets would be stationed, and, as we confidently believed, close to the junction of the two creeks. The banks up to this point were of soft mud, rendering it impracticable to land, and overgrown with high grass, which made it difficult to see the surrounding country. Wetook carefully the bearings of the different reaches of the creek, and, as often as we could see them, of surrounding objeets. The soundings nowhere showed a less depth of water than 20 feet, and the width is sufficient for any of the gunboats. The piling, above referred to was therefore the only obstacle to the passage of the gunboats so far as we penetrated, and this it is no doubt practicable to remove.

Just as we were preparing to return we perceived the rebel gunboats, five in number, coming down from Savannah, and soon after reaching our vessels the enemy appeared to be within the Savannah River. Our gunboats at once opened fire, as did those under the command of Capt. John Rodgers, on the other side of the Savannah River. The leading rebel boat, bearing aflag-officer’s pennant, wassoon apparently quite disabled, and, turning back, made her way slowly to Savannah in company with one of theothers. The remaining three proceeded on to Fort Pulaslu. All were represented to have had barges in tow. In the afternoon, while Captain Rodgers and myself were on shore at the plantation of Seriven and Gibson, the three rebel boats last referred to returned up the river, and the firing recommenced, but the boats got past apparently without serious damage, and reached Savannah. This firing, though no part of the plan, was very instructive in connection with any project for cutting off Fort Pulaski by batteries on Wilmington Island or by gunboats lying at or below the obstructions. It showed conclusively to my mind that steamers might run the gauntlet, not without danger, but without any serious risk, even under so heavy and well-directed a fire as that delivered by our gunboats. The position from which to eut off communication between the fort and Savannah by way of the river must therefore be sought higher up.

The plat of the courses of the stream would indicate that it empties directly into the Savannah River, and not into Saint Augustine Creek, as had been supposed, and other circumstances would seem to confirm this conclusion, though contrary to some of the evidence obtained. However this may be, there is no doubt that the stream we followed gradually approaches the river, from which it van be separated only by a narrow strip of marsh at thepoint reached by us in the boat. A position might, therefore, be taken up by the gunboats, after removing the obstructions, from which the river might be commanded, and it is quite possible that the headland alluded to as just above the point reached by us would permit the establishment of a battery which would com mand both the Saint Augustine Creek and the Savannah River.

Wilmington Island, as a simple military position, is, in my judgment. of no importance whatever, and any troops landed there could be of no real service. But should it be decided to cut off all communication by the Savannah River, either by gunboats stationed above or by the establishment of the battery alluded to, or by both, then the occupation of the island becomes a matter of high importance, as in this way only ean the line of communication with our base be kept open. Should it therefore be decided to intercept the river communication in this way, or to use the passage in any ulterior movements on Savannah, I would recommend the occupation of the island in force; otherwise not. The portion of the island above Gibson’s is marshy for one and a half to two miles back from the bank of the creek, and therefore no battery could, I think, be established by the enemy at any point above Gibson’s which could seriously annoy our gunboats. The portion of the island below the plantation is also marshy.

Having made the reconnaissance as above detailed, the gunboats returned to Warsaw Sound, and after consultation with Captain Davis, whose orders required him to return and report, I thought it best to return with him and report in person. I accordingly arrived here in the Ottawa just before sunset this evening, leaving the transports and the three other gunboats at anchor in the sound. I should have stated our nearest approach to Fort Pulaski was within long range—say 2 miles— while the distance from the fort to our anchorage near the obstruction» was much greater and entirely beyond range

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,