On arriving at Hilton Head yesterday afternoon I found that
Gen. Gilmore’s Headquarters were now at Hilton Head. I went on shore, met Col.
Smith, and made an appointment to be presented to Gen. G. later. Took tea at
the Port Royal House and was told by the gentlemanly proprietor that I had
better forage on my friends for a bed. Was presented to the General and
delivered my letter to Gen. G. He seemed perplexed rather, and evidently
thought he was expected to undertake some immediate military operation to
effect the occupation and reconstruction. He dwelt on the deficiency of
transportation in the Department and the immobility of his force for the
purposes of land attack. He has only now after great efforts succeeded in
mounting a regiment of infantry for cavalry service, etc., etc. I told him it
was not the President's intention to do anything to embarrass his military
operations; that all I wished from him was an order directing me to go to
Florida and open my books of record for the oaths; as preliminary to future
proceedings.
He said we would speak farther of it. Meanwhile I will wait
for my papers delayed at New York.
SOURCES: Clara B. Hay, Letters of John Hay and
Extracts from Diary, Volume 1, p. 156-7; for the entire diary entry
see Tyler Dennett, Editor, Lincoln and the Civil War in the
Diaries and Letter of John Hay, p. 155-6.
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