SPECIAL ORDERS,
No. 166.
HDQRS. Department of the South,
Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C., March 26, 1863.
I. Colonel Putnam, with five companies of his regiment, will proceed immediately to
these headquarters. Saint Augustine will for the present be left in command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Abbott with the remaining five companies.
II. Colonel Hawley will proceed immediately to these headquarters with five companies
of his regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Gardinier will be left in command of Fernandina
with the remaining five companies for the present.
III. All the troops at Jacksonville will immediately be withdrawn.
By command of Maj. Gen. D. Hunter:
ED. W. SMITH
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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BEAUFORT, S.C., April 4, 1863
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War:
SIR: I have the honor to report the return of the First and Second Regiments of South
Carolina Volunteers from Florida. The expedition was in every way successful, and had
it not been withdrawn would in a short time have cleared the State of Florida of the rebel
troops and secured large amounts of cotton and other valuables to the Government. We
had complete and undisputed possession of Jacksonville and Palatka, and Colonel
Montgomery was moving into the interior when the recall from general Hunter was
received. This was deemed necessary by him in view of his operations in the vicinity of
Charleston.
As might be expected, the moral effect of the presence of these colored soldiers under
arms was very great, and caused a perfect panic among the rebels throughout the State.
The colored soldiers behaved bravely in all their various actions with the enemy, and in
no case did they display any inferiority in point of courage to other soldiers.
I am glad to report that the hostility which at one time existed among the white troops in
this department against the employment of colored troops has passed away, and they are
nor perfectly willing to go into action with them.
I shall urge upon the commanding officer of this department the importance of
reoccupying Florida as soon as the Charleston expedition is over. It may require a
somewhat larger force at first to regain that we have abandoned. Should the Charleston
expedition be successful such force can be recruited there. With the St. John’s River for
a base of operations the entire State can be readily occupied by our forces and restored to
the Union. Had the expedition been allowed to remain in Florida I am confident that its
success would have fully equaled your expectations.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
R. SAXTON,
Brigadier-General.
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FINNEGAN’S CAMP, February 9, 1864.
Major-General Gillmore:
SIR: I arrived here last night about 9 o’clock. About sundown a train came to the depot
and hurried off all that could be got away before we could reach it. The Forty-seventh,
Forty-eighth, and One hundred and fifteenth [New York] are here; the Seventh
Connecticut, Third United States, and Eighth United States – Henry’s command – I sent
on last night to Baldwin. It is probably there before this time. I shall move on that far today unless you think it proper to order differently. The subject of provisions will be one
of great difficulty. Unless a train is put on the road you cannot subsist any force beyond
Baldwin with wagons. I hope, therefore, all haste will be made to get up the Fernandina
train; we are not likely to take any other. Colonel Henry announces the capture of a
battery of five guns last night two miles in advance of this. I send back for the train to
bring up whatever is now in the wagons to this camp, and then will order it to return for
hard bread, coffee, sugar, and salt, or hard bread and salt alone. We can find cattle in the
country, but the train should have been up last night. The Second South Carolina I
propose to leave at Jacksonville to work; the Fifty-fourth to come out here with ten days’
hard bread, &c., to this camp. All troops that come out must come very light, but with
plenty of hard bread.
Respectfully,
T. SEYMOUR.
If you want to see what Florida is good for come out to Baldwin.
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JACKSONVILLE, February 12, 1864.
Colonel Tilghman,
Baldwin:
Send scouts to the fords of the Saint Mary’s River, and send any important information
you get to General Seymour and myself. Report by telegraph when they start. The
dispatch just sent to General Seymour through you shows the object in view.
GILLMORE,
General.
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BALDWIN, February 12, 1864.
General Gillmore:
I have sent a scout toward Saint Mary’s River. They are not willing to go farther than six
or seven miles to-night. At daylight they will push on to the fords, said to be eleven
miles distant. Will report results to you and General Seymour instantly.
TILGHMAN,
Colonel.
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JACKSONVILLE, February 12, 1864 – 1 p.m.
General Seymour:
Your dispatch of 7 o’clock this morning was received. As you have ordered Henry back
to the South Fork of Saint Mary’s, I presume you consider the enemy too strong in your
front. Send me your latest reliable information of the enemy. I shall garrison Palatka
with the Saint Augustine command under Colonel Osborn, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts.
Keep a force well out toward Sanderson if practicable.
GILLMORE,
General.
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SANDERSON, [February] 12, [1864] – 2 p.m.
General Gillmore:
Colonel Henry has just arrived. Both Henry and Elder confirm my views as to holding
only the South Fork of the Saint Mary’s at present. I shall strengthen that point, also
Callahan, and when forage and provisions are right another advance will secure your
object with as much certainty as now. Henry will go to Gainesville to-night to catch the
trains there. I shall stay here at Sanderson a little while. Probably Henry will go from
Gainesville to Barber’s or Baldwin. Will you send two or three companies of the Second
South Carolina to Middleburg, in order to occupy the bridge at that place? Now, if you
choose, concentrate troops at Jacksonville or at any other point where they can be
supplied, and as I want them to advance I will call them up to Barber’s before going
farther on.
Respectfully,
T. SEYMOUR,
Brigadier-General.
Will you send the naval forces at Fernandina to destroy all the ferryboats in Saint Mary’s
River up as high as can be reached? And when an advance is made there should be a
naval demonstration against Savannah at the same moment, or just before, and with as
many transports as can be shown. I shall expect Hamilton and such regiments as have
been ordered to me, and you can send them to Baldwin.
T.S.
Henry wants the saber and revolver badly, and needs them if they can be found.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Jacksonville, February 16, 1864.
Maj. Gen. Q.A. Gillmore,
Commanding Department of the South:
General: The proposed system about being established for movements in Florida consists
essentially of a well-secured base, with a strong movable column to push well in advance
and to be kept constantly active. The command of this advanced force is consequently of
great importance, and it should be in the hands of an officer of approved judgment and
experience. It will be impossible for me to remain with it constantly, and I earnestly
request that a brigadier-general on whom I can rely may be ordered to me for this
purpose. If it be possible that Col. M.R. Morgan, Subsistence Department, can be
appointed to that grade, I should much prefer him to any other available officer. The fact
of his being a Southern man, of unquestionable devotion and loyalty, of a most sound and
prompt judgment, and of excellent habits of discipline – all these indicate him as being a
proper officer. There is but little doubt in my mind but that the people of this State,
kindly treated by us, will soon be ready to return to the Union. They are heartily tired of
the war; and such an officer as Colonel Morgan can assist me very materially in bringing
about this end.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. SEYMOUR,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Jacksonville, February 16, 1864.
Brigadier-General Turner,
Chief of Staff:
GENERAL: The accompanying letter to Major-General Gillmore is intended to secure,
or to assist in securing, Colonel Morgan’s appointment. I need him badly. If that cannot
be, I need General Ames, and should like to have him without delay. The locomotive
will be on the road to-day and running. I want a printing press still more. It caused me
disgust that the past should not have been fully improved, and hope that when I move I
shall be prepared to talk with the people otherwise than personally. Send me a press
therefore; I have written to Colonel Smith about it.
Respectfully,
T. SEYMOUR,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
The necessity of having somebody in front is so great that I trust General Ames will be
sent immediately, if only temporarily.
T. SEYMOUR.
P.S. – Colonel Henry returned to Barber’s this morning, having lost the road to
Gainesville.
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SANDERSON, February 20, 1864.
General TURNER:
Have met the enemy at Olustee and now falling back. Many wounded. Think I may be
compelled to go to Baldwin, but shall go to Barber’s immediately. Fribley, killed;
Sammon, Hamilton, Myrick, wounded; seven guns lost. A devilish hard rub.
T. SEYMOUR.
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BALDWIN, February 21, 1864
General TURNER:
Colonels Sammon, Hamilton, Myrick, McCrea, and Captain Dunbar are wounded. It is
very doubtful whether we can get the wounded in.
T. SEYMOUR.
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SPECIAL ORDERS,
No. 70.
HDQRS. Department of the South,
Hilton Head, S.C., February 23, 1864.
I. Upon the arrival of the brigades of Generals Ames and Foster at Jacksonville, Fla., the
Fourth New Hampshire Volunteers will return without delay to Beaufort, S.C.
By command of Maj. Gen. Q.A. Gillmore:
ED. W. SMITH,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
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Report of Capt. John Hamilton, Battery E, Third U.S. Artillery, of engagement at
Olustee, or Ocean Pond, February 20.
HILTON HEAD, S.C., February 24, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the commanding general, such
operations as fell under my observation in the battle of the 20th, near Olustee, Fla.:
Upon the general engagement of the pickets along the line, Colonel Henry went forward
on our left flank to reconnoiter the enemy’s position. Coming back he informed me, in
General Seymour’s presence, that by planting, say two sections of artillery at a point he
would designate, he thought I might enfilade their line, and that we might worst them in a
short time. The sections were advanced, but received, on coming into battery, a fire from
a more extended line of infantry, while an oblique line of cavalry bore off to their right of
infantry, while an oblique line of cavalry bore off to their right and nearly, as far as I
could see, into the woods. The Eighth U.S. Colored, Colonel Fribley, then deployed, but
its left wing filled all the intervals of my pieces, and prevented their working to any
advantage. As soon as I saw this position I felt that all hopes of withdrawing my guns to
a more favorable position were gone, for the reason that the Eighth U.S. Colored were
green troops, and should I have limbered to the rear I was sure they would run, before the
second line could come up to our support. As this line – Colonel Barton’s brigade – was
about deploying, I knew that the running of troops through or over them would subject us
to an immediate defeat from the enemy’s cavalry turning our flank. I should judge the
enemy’s flanking line of cavalry to have been a bout 500 strong. I was soon struck on the
left hip, but not disabled. Then Lieutenant Eddy was badly wounded; then my horse. I
could pay almost no attention to my battery, which was being mowed down as grass
without the power to reply with any effect. My whole attention was involved in holding
the Eighth on their ground. My heart bled for them; they fell as tenpins in a bowling
alley; but everything depended on their sacrifice and that of my battery until we could be
relieved or the new line formed. In about twenty-five minutes, out of 82 men and 4
officers, 44 men and 3 officers were disabled, and 39 horses were hit so as to be left
behind. Langdon’s battery then took position to my left, and bleeding heavily, and sick, I
directed Lieutenant Myrick to get off the pieces, and I reported to General Seymour, who
sent me off the field. Colonel Fribley had fallen, mortally wounded, some time before,
and had been placed on the footboard of one of my limbers. I saw him dead, and directed
one of his officers to take him off, as I had to use the limber to get off one of my guns.
He was placed about twenty-five feet to the right and rear of my right piece, where I think
he was left. I do not think that we, on the left, did much hurt to the enemy. Our time was
occupied in filling gaps; my pieces were marred by the infantry commingling with my
own men. The left wing of the U.S. Colored Infantry could have done little injury to the
enemy; they fired very wildly and without purpose. It was not from cowardice as much
as ignorance. Their officers appeared to do their duty as brave men, but without selfreliance, and I did not see any of the regiment run, yet they only served the purpose of
keeping the enemy in check from charging. They should not be condemned, for I saw
nothing wrong that could not be accounted for by want of experience and ignorance of
object, apparently. My own men behaved well, devotedly, and individually so. My
attached “Enfaus Perdu” did not. They clustered and gabbled in all languages; some
were punished.
It was impossible at the time of removing to a second line to bring off two pieces and two
caissons for want of horses or cannoneers. I regret to say they were left to the enemy
with nearly full ammunition chests. All my officers were hit, four of us severely
wounded, and the charge of the battery fell into the hands of Lieut. D. Irwin, Third Rhode
Island Artillery, serving with the battery. As chief of artillery I can make no report that
can be so called. I had to act on the line of infantry as a general staff officer. This is to
be the most regretted, for could I have had the directing of Langdon’s battery it would
not have taken the position it did. I had not even the time to communicate with the
general. But personally I have nothing to regret. By the sacrifice of five pieces of
artillery I saved the whole of our left flank from breaking and its disastrous
consequences. We thus changed a rout into a simple defeat or beating back. For the
dead, a very large majority died honorably; the wounded have all the sympathy a
wounded man can extend. My thanks are due to Lieutenant Irwin for his labors. My
officers discharged their duties unflinchingly, and only left when their presence would
have been a drawback. To Lieut. J.R. Myrick is due the credit of withdrawing the two
pieces saved. Messrs. Eddy and Dodge, Third Rhode Island Artillery, have my thanks for
their coolness and steadiness in managing their sections. There is an officer, unknown to
me, whom I wish to pay a tribute of praise. I hear that he had been mustered out of
service from the New York Independent Battalion. I handed him my pistol when I was
wounded and he sent it to me afterwards. All I can say is that it is a brave man who
would come where it was simply to give encouragement to troops by his example. He is
worth seeking out. I shall ask Lieutenant Myrick to add his report to this.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HAMILTON
Capt., Third Artillery, Comdg. Light Co. E, and Chief of Artillery.
Captain CHADWICK,
Assistant Adjutant General.
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SPECIAL ORDERS,
No. 79.
HDQRS. Department of the South,
Hilton Head, S.C., February 28, 1864.
I. Major Sanford, Seventh Connecticut Volunteers, will proceed without delay to
Jacksonville, Fla., with the officers and men of the Seventh Connecticut Volunteers,
Seventh New Hampshire, and Eighth U.S. Colored Regiment, and the camp and garrison
equipage pertaining thereto, reporting on his arrival to Col. J.R. Hawley, commanding
brigade.
By command of Maj. Gen. Q.A. Gillmore:
ISRAEL R. SEALY,
Captain, Forty-seventh New York Vols., Actg. Asst. Adj. Gen.
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SPECIAL ORDERS,
No. 104.
HDQRS. Department of the South,
Hilton Head, S.C., March 12, 1864.
III. Brig. Gen. William Birney, U.S. Volunteers, will proceed to Beaufort, S.C., with one
regiment of his command, reporting to Brigadier-General sexton, commanding post.
By command of Maj. Gen. Q.A. Gillmore:
ED. W. SMITH,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
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SPECIAL ORDERS,
No. 105
HDQRS. Department of the South,
Hilton Head, S.C., March 12, 1864.
III. The Seventh U.S. Colored Troops will proceed without delay to Jacksonville, Fla.,
and report to Brigadier-General Seymour, commanding District of Florida.
By command of Maj. Gen. Q.A. Gillmore:
ED. W. SMITH,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
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HDQRS. DIST. OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Jacksonville, Fla., April 3, 1864.
Brig. Gen. J.W. TURNER,
Chief of Staff and of Artillery, Department of the South:
GENERAL: If it is the intention of the Government to occupy the State of Florida I
would urge upon the general commanding the granting me authority to raise a Florida
regiment of white men, to serve only in this state. I am more than ever convinced that
such a regiment would very soon be filled, and would be of great service in bringing the
State back to its allegiance.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. P. HATCH
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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HDQRS. DIST. OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Jacksonville, Fla., April 12, 1864.
Maj. Gen. Q.A. Gillmore,
Commanding Department of the South:
GENERAL: major Brooks arrived this afternoon with your orders. Every effort is being
made to carry them out without loss of time. Five steamers will be employed removing
troops and stores to Picolata. As soon as this is done the troops ordered north will come
to this point and take shipping for Hilton Head. The Spaulding leaves to-morrow
morning with the Seventh Connecticut; the Cosmopolitan will follow her day after tomorrow with the Seventh New Hampshire. We have to-day established communication
by signal with the mouth of the river. The Cossack is telegraphed as off the bar with a
general officer on board. The following disposition will be made of the troops for the
present: Picolata, Montgomery’s Brigade and one battery; Yellow Bluff and Saint John’s
Bluff, one regiment; scouting the country between Saint John’s River and the coast,
Henry’s light brigade, less four companies; remainder of command at Jacksonville.
Henry will draw his supplies from Saint Augustine, near which place he will make his
headquarters. As soon as I learn definitely that the enemy are withdrawing their forces
Henry will be directed to cross the river and make raids into the country of the enemy. I
suspect that part of the enemy’s forces are already leaving the state, but have no positive
information on that subject. I regret having to evacuate Palatka, as a number of the
citizens who have shown Union sentiments will be forced to leave their homes. There is
more Union sentiment among the people than is generally supposed. All that is needed to
develop it is the assurance that the Government will not again abandon the country.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. P. HATCH
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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HDQRS. DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,
Jacksonville, Fla., April 23, 1864.
Captain BAILEY,
Commanding Eighth U. S. Colored Troops, Yellow Bluff, Fla.:
CAPTAIN: You will confer immediately with Captain Lewis, of the gun-boat
Mahaska, for the purpose of making a reconnaissance in force of the country
between Daniel and Trout Creeks.
You will find, if possible, such guides as are acquainted with the country, and
push your reconnaissance, if possible, as far from railroad from Fernandina,
touching it at the nearest or most convenient point for the purpose of destroying a
small portion of it. This may be done by building a large fire of pine logs, and
laying the iron rails across the fire. It is not, however, considered important to
reach the railroad; the main object of the reconnaissance is to get to the rear of
rebel scouts between Trout and Daniel Creeks. You will return to the river,
sweeping, as well as you can, the country lying between the two creeks, taking
care not to allow your command to be separated by Cedar Creek. You will
arrange with Captain Lewis the point at which you shall disembark for the
reconnaissance, and a point at which you shall embark after having made it.
Captain Lewis kindly promises to furnish four boats and the oarsmen, enough to
furnish transportation for 60 men. You can use the oar-boats in your possession
for the transportation of the rest of the party.
By order of Brigadier General William Birney:
P. F. YOUNG,
Captain and Acting Aide-de-Camp.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Jacksonville, June 8, 1864.
Captain W. L. M. BURGER,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
CAPTAIN: The country lying between Trout Creek on the south and Thomas'
Swamp and Creek, Nassau River, and the Saint John's on the north, east, and
southeast, has been scouted under my orders by a detachment from the Eighth U.
S. Colored Troops. All that part of Nassau County is free from rebels. I have not
yet received the detailed report. A second party is to-day scouring the neck of
land lying this side of Doctor's Lake and between McGirt's Creek and the Saint
John's. They are in search of a torpedo party said to have landed there.
Your obedient servant,
WM. BIRNEY,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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HDQRS. DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Jacksonville, Fla., September 25, 1864.
Maj. Gen. E.A. HITCHCOCK,
Commissioner for Exchange of Prisoners:
GENERAL: Soon after the battle of Olustee, in Florida, a list of wounded prisoners in
the hands of the enemy was forwarded to our lines by the commander of the rebel army.
The very small number of colored prisoners attracted immediate attention, as it was well
known that the number left on the field was large.
It is now known that most of the wounded colored men were murdered on the field.
These outrages were perpetrated, so far as I can ascertain, by the Georgia regulars and the
Georgia volunteers in Colquitt’s brigade.
As many of these troops are now in our hands as prisoners, an investigation of
circumstances might easily be made.
All accounts represent the Florida troops as not engaged in the murders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. P. HATCH
Brigadier-General, Commanding.