W. S. Dilworth to JosEPH E. BROWN, November 12, 1861

Fort Olinch, Amelia Island, Fla., November 12, 1861.

Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War, O. S. A., Richmond, Va. :

SIR: I had the honor to receive yours of the 26th ultimo by the hands of Captain Buckman, and strictly adhered to the instructions therein contained until the present emergency arose, which has thrown on me a heavy responsibility, as unexpected as it has been onerous and disagreeable. A full report of my acts and doings I ask to submit to you, and which I trust, under the cireumstances, you will indorse and sanction. Let me premise by stating that General Trapier has not yet assumed command of this department, and consequently I am in command of this department. I cannot now state when General Trapier will be here, as I cannot calculate how the disaster at Port Royal may influence the movements of our Government. But tothe point. In my last communication I addressed you on the subject of the battalion of artillery, Lieu. tenant-Colonel Holland in command and Major Hopkins second in command. They were presented in this shape by Governor Perry, and received by Brigadier-General Grayson, deceased, then in command of this department.

On the 28th day of September, A. D. 1861 (see copy of order of Brigadier-General Grayson), Brigadier-General Grayson also ordered them supplied by the quartermaster and commissary departments at this place. Four companies were received in this way, and, stating that the mustering officers would soon muster them into theservice formally, under

this order they havecontinued inserviee. Last week, however, an order arrived from Governor Milton to disband them, they—the battalion— regarding that they were not in the State service but in the Confederate service. In the mean time the Port Royal affair oceurred on Thursday last. The United States war vessels are in sight every day, though not more than one at a time, evidently reconnoitering our coast and condition. This battalion of four companies on Saturday offered to go in the service in any shape I might name, but if not mustered at once they would leave the island or accept a proposition which had been made by an officer in Georgia to receive them there into service in Georgia. It is only one mile and a quarter from this (Amelia Island) to Cumberland, in Georgia. The four companies composing this battalion—Captain Buckman’s, Richards’, Brink’s, and Kendrick’s—are well drilled. They are armed with muskets, and I supplied them with five field pieces, and since have received from our Government two beautiful 6-pounders, rifledbore field pieces, carrying some 12 or 14 pounds elongated shot and shell. Placed in this situation, in imminent peril, with only, in the aggregate of the Third Regiment at this post, 659 men, no soldiers that I could eall from other posts, I have mustered these companies into the Confederate States service as light infantry, and will accept two companies more, making in allsix companies in the battalion for twelve months from the 28th day of September last, the day on which four of the companies were received by General Grayson.

I have also notified proper parties that horses will be received on the same terms as in the cavalry service for the purpose of working the field artillery. Iam fully aware that it is irregular to use infantry as field artillery; still, the regiments which I have the honor to command were mustered into the service as light infantry, and now they are converted into heavy artillery in part. I would ask that this battalion be increased into a regiment. We want them; we really need them. This island is 20 miles long on the sea-shore. I have, exclusive of the battalion, only 659 soldiers to defend it. When in surf-boats a landing can be effected anywhere, and small gunboats can come in in the rear from Georgia or from the south end, there should be here at least 2,000 troops, stationed here permanently. Allow me also to state that I do not believe it possible to raise ten men in this State who will enlist for the term of three years or during the war. This was a strong reason why I ordered this battalion to be mustered into the service. I find, sir, that it will not do to rely on State troops to defend our country. There should be but one system of defense, and that should be originated and organized and systematized by the Confederate States Army. I hope, sir, that my course will receive the sanction of the Government which I have the honor to serve, aud I assure you nothing was ever more painful to me in my life than this of being so situated when I felt compelled to act without having the proper authority; and I beg leave to refer you to Messrs. Ward, Morton, and Owens—our Delegates in Congress—who know my character, and that it is not my disposition or nature to assume unauthorized and undelegated power. Should the Government sustain my acts in this matter it will be a source of pleasure and gratification, but if condemned, then my mortification will be most acute. Still, I will have the consolation of knowing that I was actuated by the purest and most patriotic motives. Ex-Senator Yulee and every man with whom I have had any conversation say that my course was dictated by necessity ; still I hope soon to have your approval.

My adjutant, Lieut. J. O. A. Gerry, will inform you particularly as to our defenses, ammunition, &c. We have at this point, the northeast

Cuar. XV.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—CONFEDERATE. 311

end of Amelia Island, at and near Fort Clinch, eight 32-pounders; two 24 and one 32 pounder rifle, mounted ; one 10-inch rifle and three 8-inch columbiads, nearly mounted. We are hard at work placing these last in position, and we hope by the end of this week to have them in fighting trim. We have about 100 rounds for each gun. So soon us these guns are up I have little fear that the enemy can come in through the main channel; at least I shall not believe it until I have a practical demonstration of the fact. With proper batteries at the south end of the island—say one 8-irch columbiad and four 32 or 24 pounders, and infantry enough, say 2,000 in all—I do not think the enemy could even land, or if they did land, we could make them embark. We need particularly field artillery, which could be carried with great rapidity from point to point over the island or along the beach; and nature has done much in making breastworks all along the beach in the shapeof sand hills, behind which not only field artillery could be maneuvered to great advantage, but also musketry, though in this respect our muskets are the old United States musket, and not an efficient weapon by any means.

For the port of Saint Augustine I need everything in the way of defense except the guns. However, I shall write you or the proper officer fully on this topie in the event General Trapier should not arrive soon. We heard distinctly the firing at Port Royal at this place on last Thursday for about five hours, and the news of its occupancy has saddened us, but at the same time determined us to stand more firmly at our post, as we regard an attack here as imminent. On Friday a war steamer appeared in the offing, three-masted. On Saturday another, and on Sunday and Monday a sloop of war. To-day none have come in sight. They come near the west end, run south, and usually go as near the shore as 3 miles at the south end, showing that they are reeonnoitering and making a critical examination of our defenses, &c. They have now cut off all water communication with Charleston, and their next object, I apprehend, will be to break up the inland navigation between this and Savannah, the benefits of which to us are incalculable. I hope our Government will adopt some more speedy means of raising troops for the Confederate States. I could raise all the troops necessary for our defense in one week from this time if they could go immediately into the Confederate States service for twelve months; but when raised by the State the whole military body has been attempted to be painted with the political hues of the poor politicians, and our citizens are very averse to going through the chrysalis condition of State service, and after being pulled, hauled, and packed, as a gambler would his cards, for two or three months, then turned over to the Confederacy, unarmed, undisciplined, and undrilled, their time wasted and their country unbenefited. There has been in Florida East too much politics mixed with the military in organizing the regiments.

Again expressing my most sincere and deep regret that cireumstances have compelled me to act without the proper authority, and which necessity alone could or should justify, and hoping soon to have the sanction of my country to the course I have pursued, I leave the matter in your hands. I fear I havealready tried your patience, but your name is so familiar, though not acquainted personally with you, I feel that I am addressing a friend to every man who is true to his country, and I ask you to mete out to mein this matter that same measure you would have meted to you under similar cireumstances. God knows I have worked harder here than I ever did in my life, and that my only motive has been to serve my country. I volunteered and was a private in the ranks until this (the Third) regiment was formed, when I was elected a colonel,

and to-day would have been a private, had I not been elected to the eolonelcy of the regiment. . Trusting that our country may soon be delivered from its present troubles, I subscribe myself,

your obedient servant,

Colonel, Commanding Department.
RICHMOND, November 12, 1861.
Gov. JosEPH E. BROWN,
Milledgeville, Ga. :
There are reasons of public policy which would make it suicidal to
comply with your request to withdraw Georgia troops from the enemy’s
front at this moment. This Government will co-operate with all its