Quincy A. Gillmore to H. W. Halvlgeck, October 11, 1863

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALvLgEcK, General-in-Chief, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: I have to report no important changes in the state of affairs here. From a recent conversation at some length with Admiral Dahlgren, I am led tothe belief that no offensive operations against Charleston with the naval force now here will be attempted. The programme of operations in this quarter, which I submitted to you while at Washington, and which met the approval of not only the War and Navy Departments, but of the President also, and to secure the execution of which it was deemed proper to supersede the former naval and military commanders in this department, is doubtless fresh in your memory. It was as follows:

1. To make a descent upon, and obtain possession of, the enemy’s fortified position on the south end of Morris Island.

2. To reduce Fort Wagner and Battery Gregg on the north end of Morris Island.

3. From positions thus secured, to demolish Fort Sumter.

4, The monitors to enter, remove the channel obstructions, run by the batteries on James and Sullivan’s Islands, and reach the city.

5. Subsequent operations of the two branches of the service to be governed by circumstances.

The entire programme was to be executed by a cordial and energetic co-operation of the army and the navy, excepting item 4, which was considered a specialty for the iron-clads alone. The first three

arts of the programme have been successfully carried out. Fort ape is incapable of harming our iron-clad fleet, and I have received the written assurance of the General-in-Chief that the land forces have done all that I proposed to do with them, “and all that was hoped or expected.” Idesire to record my belief that the whole

rogramme can be carried out, but that every day’s delay is rendering its execution more difficult.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,