Quincy A. Gillmore to H. W. HauLeEck, October 20, 1863

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

GENERAL: I had a long interview with Admiral Dahlgren yesterday, in regard to future operations. +4

I have all along looked to the execution of the original project of getting possession of the inner harbor with the monitor fleet, after which I would occupy, with such force as I could control, some interior point, and strongly fortify it. I consider the naval commander here the proper person to judge of the practicability of accomplishing the work which the monitors will have to do in order to get insideand stay there. Every day’s delay is strengthening the enemy’s works inside, and the question now is, whether to attempt to enter with the present monitor force, or await the arrival of the new ones. The navy commander here is the proper person to judge of this. General Terry was the bearer of a verbal message to you on the subject of an attempt against the Wilmington defenses. If it be determined to delay for more force here, I desire to know it early.

Some men recently arrived from Charleston (refugees) report some things worthy of note. The enemy is erecting fortifications at the railroad wharf, in Town Creek ; also a continuous line of earthworks on the north front of James Island, west of Fort Johnson, facing the harbor. The new 600-pounder is reported as having arrived from Wilmington. Anew work, apparently a strong one, is being erected on the Stono, just north of Newtown Cut, latitude 32° 44′,

I consider Wagner and Gregg impregnable against any attack excepting a regular siege. The two, together with some batteries

112 8. C. AND G. A. COASTS, AND IN MID. AND E. FLA. (Car. X. L.

between, mount one 10-inch Parrott rifle, two 8-inch Parrott rifles, eight 100-pounder Parrott rifles, one 10-inch columbiad, two 10-inch sea-coast mortars, and two 10-inch siege mortars. This armament is exclusive of light defensive guns,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,