L. H. Pelouze to Rudolph Rosa, December 6, 1861

Hilton Head, S. 0., December 6, 1861. Col. RUDOLPH Rosa, Commanding Forty-sixth New York Volunteers:

CoLONEL: The commanding general directs that you take post with your regiment on North Tybee Island with as little delay as practicable, and at once take up a defensive position, so as to hold the entire island. Your men will cccupy as quarters the buildings near the light-house, and you will establish a camp on the clear ground near the light-house, always keeping out pickets at the salient points of the island. Your attention is particularly called to the narrow neck of land west of the light-house, as a point which should always be guarded. The work thrown up by the enemy at this point should be torn down to the ground as soon as possible, and, to avoid the effects of the fire from Fort Pulaski, this should be done in the night. You must take every precaution against being surprised, and in the mean time take particular care that the works thrown up about the light-house are not injured or defaced in any way, as guns are to be mounted in them as soon as they can be got there. You will take particular care of your supplies, and see that they are not in any way wasted or destroyed. You will see that vessels sent there are unloaded as soon as possible and sent back to this place. You will keep these headquarters informed of all passing events.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,