Thomas W. Sherman to Edwin M. Stanton, March 27, 1862

To Hon. SEORETARY OF WAR, Washington, D. C.:

SIR: I have just received the President’s War Order, No. 3, which directs reports to be made direct to the Secretary of War.

My recent letters to the Adjutant-General will show the general status of affairs in this expedition. We hold the whole coast from North Edisto, S. C., to Saint Augustine, Fla. Rapid preparations are being made for the reduction of Fort Pulaski, Ga., and the Savannah River is oceupied with a sufficient force to cut off all communications and supplies from Savannah.

The attack of Savannah, for which we have been making preparations, has been given up, by direction of Major-General McClellan.

The fire will be opened on Pulaski as soon as all the material has arrived from the North.

I have left Brigadier-General Wright, with three regiments and two sections of light artillery, in the occupation of Fernandina, Jacksonville, and Saint Augustine, with the hope and expectation that by judicious management East Florida will soon be regenerated.

No operations can be made on the main of South Carolina and Geor gia for the waut of proper means of transportation—viz, light-draught steamers, boats, and wagons—which have all failed to reach here, not withstanding early and repeated requi-itions for them. Now, indeed, that our forces have become so much scattered in the occupation of so extensive a coast, more troops will be required for any extensive inland operations.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,