Thomas W. Sherman to L. H. Pelouze, October 23, 1861

No. 19. Steamer Atlantic, October 23, 1861.

This command will sail for its destination in a very few days, under convoy of a naval squadron, commanded by Commodore DuPont. The transports will move in three columns and in rear of the main body of the squadron. The transports belonging to the First Brigade will compose the right column, those of the Second Brigade and the Third Rhode Island Regiment the center, and those of the Third Brigade and the Battalion of Volunteer Engineers the left column. Each vessel will retain its order in column, and the columns will move in parallel lines, equidistant, regulating from the right. The sail vessels and other transports inadequate to the task of sailing with the fleet will be towed by such steamers as the chief quartermaster may designate. Commodore DuPont, in co-operation with the land forces, has kindly made such an arrangement of his fleet as will secure the transports from unnecessary diffusion, and all senior officers on transports and masters of vessels will enter into the spirit of and conform to these arrangements, a plan of which will be duly given. ;

I. I. The general commanding avnounces to the expeditionary corps that it is intended to make a descent on the enemy’s coast, and probably under circumstances which will demand the utmost vigilance, coolness, and intrepidity on the part of every officer and man of his command. In consideration of the justness and holiness of our cause, of the ardent patriotism which has prompted the virtuous and industrious citizens of our land to fly to their country’s standard in the moment of her peril, he most confidently believes that he will be effectually and efficiently supported in his efforts to overthrow a zealous, aetive, and wily foe, whose eause is unholy and principles untenable.

LII. On the approach of the transports to the place of disembarkment each brigade commander will anchor his transports as near each other as practicable, and will at the proper time superintend the disembarkment of his brigade. The surf-boats, with other means for disembarkment on hand, are believed to be capable of landing at once from 3,000 to 4,000 men. The surf-boats are of different sizes. Two of the largest may take the officers and men of a company of 100 men; two of the next size a company of 70 men, and so on in proportion. The other means of transportation may take the remainder of a brigade, with probably one or two sections of field artillery.

I. V. The disembark ment will bemade in threelines. The first line will be the brigade of General Wright, flanked by two sections of Hamilton’s light battery, and accompanied by the squad of Regular Sappers and Miners, and two companies of Serrell’s volunteer engineers, with a sufficient supply of intrenching tools and sand bags. The second line will be the brigade of General Stevens, and, if necessary, aceompanied by a section of Hamilton’s battery and two field pieces, to be manned by a company of the Third Rhode Island Regiment. The reserve will be composed of General Viele’s brigade, the remaining portion of Serrell’s volunteer engineers, and the Third Rhode Island Regiment, and will be disposed of according to circumstances.

V. The boats of not only each company, but of each regiment and brigade, will land abreast as far as practicable, and in the order of battle. The utmost effort wil be made to effect the landing in that order. Should it be found impracticable to land immediately from the lighters then the surf-boats, when emptied, will immediately proceed to the rapid landing of the men from the lighters, and as soon as the whole line is landed all the boats will return and bring forward in like manner the troops of the second line, and so with the reserve.

V. I. The general officers and commanders of battalions, &c., will be furnished in time with the plan of descent and the particular order of battle. It is probable that the first line will have to conquer the ground on whieh to establish itself, and, if opposed by greatly superior numbers, to maneuver, and perhaps to momentarily intrench. If not seriously opposed, the first line, after overeoming immediate difficulties, will continue to drive backward the enemy, but will not venture beyond supporting distance from the shore before the landing of the general commanding or without his special orders.

VII. The commanding officer of the naval squadron has kindly consented to furnish 300 sailors to assist in launching and manning the surf-boats, and he appeals to the patriotism of the masters, mates, and sailors of the several transports to furnish an additional number of coxswains and oarsmen. Any deficiency of oarsmen in surf-boats will be supplied from the platoons on board of these respectively, so that each boat, when ready, may be rapidly rowed ashore. Tho soldier oarsmen will land and form with their platoons.

VIII. General and field officers, with their respective staffs, will endeavor to obtain landing boats for themselves, with the necessary oe and oarsmen from the transports and other hired vessels of the fleet.

I. X. The senior officer of the troops on board each transport will arrange with the master for voluntary helps of this kind which may be needed and can be given, and will make a special report to these headquarters as early as practicable of the assistance thus rendered.

X. As soon as the landing shall have been effected the surf and other em boats will revert to the chief quartermaster for immediate supplies.

X. I. The sick and non-effective men will remain on board the several transports until provision ean be made for them on shore. The noneffectives will be specially charged with the care of the sick, under directions to be left by the respective medical officers.

XII. Medical officers, excepting one from each brigade, to be designated by the respective brigade commanders, will land with the troops. The three medical officers left afloat will, under the directions of the medical director, divide the duty of visiting all the sick on board, including those of the Third Rhode Island Regiment and the Battalion of Volunteer Engineers.

By order of Brig. Gen. T. W. Sherman: