Quincy A. Gillmore to W. L. M. Burger, November 18, 1863

Respectfully forwarded for the information of the General-in-Chief. I do not consider that the possession of Smith’s Island alone could effectively close Wilmington River to_blockade-runners, especially light-draught ones. With Fort Caswell and Zeck’s Point in our possession and a coupe of monitors lying near them all the time, I think the blockade could be made perfect even without Bald Head Point. The outer blockade could not, of course, be entirely abandoned.

I am not fully aware of what the intention of the fleet is here, or what the admiral’s plans are, further than that he is waiting the arrival of more monitors, not expected for more than one month tocome.

Q. A. GILLMORE, Major-General, Commanding. —

GENERAL ORDERS, } Hpgrs. DEPT. OF THE SOUTH, No. 102. { Inthe Field, Folly Island, S. C., Nov. 18, 1863.

I. General Orders, No. 66, current series, from these headquarters, are hereby amended by the omission of the phrase ‘” except after engagements have taken place.”

I. I. Deserters will in no event be questioned by any person whatever without authority from department headquarters, excepting by the commander of the post at which they arrive, who will forward their statements in writing, if at all important, direct to the commanding general.

Ill. The arrival of deserters or fugitives, the military information derived from them or from prisoners of war, as well as all arrivals and departures of troops, are items of contraband news which must be carefully suppressed.

I. V. Commanders of posts where newspapers are published will be held responsible for the character of the matter which those papers contain, and will cause the proof-sheets of the same to be examined, and, if necessary, corrected, agreeably to the provisions of this and General Orders, No. 66, current series, from these headquarters.

V. In honor of Brig. Gen. T. Seymour, U.S. Volunteers, and at the assault on Fort Wagner July 18, the 10-inch mortar battery, south of Battery Chatfield, will be called Battery Seymour, and the one still farther south Battery Barton.

By command of Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore :