Thomas W. Sherman to Edward D. Townsend, February 27, 1862

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY, Washington, D. O.: Sin: It was my intention to accompany the expedition for Fernandina, and while waiting in Warsaw Sound for the naval force to join us from Hilton Head 1 received the important information that Bruns- wick and the forts at Saint Simon’s have been evacuated since the 15th instant. This news was brought by a refugee from Savannah, and is corroborated by the Charleston papers of the 18th instant. Our threat upon Savannah has therefore already reduced the strongest hold of the enemy south of us, and the fall of the city would undoubtedly produce the fall of all forts on the coast between here and Saint Augustine, as predicted in my letter of the 14th of December last. But as this expedition, planned upwards of a month ago, in order to economize and make the most of a short period of time, in which nothing else could be done with the troops engaged in it, has been waiting at the expense of many transports lying idle and some sacrifice of life, 1 think it should proceed, particularly as the Navy are anxious to complete it, notwithstanding the period of time in which it was to be accomplished has long since run out. But as the enemy are discovered to be concentrating most of their forces on Savannah, and guns too (as upwards of twenty pieces of heavy caliber are known to have recently been brought from Brunswick and planted about Savannah), I consider the coast now but a cobweb, to be penetrated with ease, and am therefore on my return to Port Royal, to continue the charge of affairs in that quarter, leaving the expedition with Brigadier-General Wright. This division of force at this partieular juncture may be regarded as a fault, but the reason for it can be seen from what I have stated, and, besides, Fernandina and Brunswick are points of some importance.

The Savannah River is closed as tight as a bottle between Savannah and Pulaski, and we are pushing preparations at Tybee for bombardment as rapidly as the weather will allow.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,