HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT
OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, Port
Royal; S.C., April 3, 1862.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival here on the 30th
ultimo. I address you by the first opportunity since my arrival.
I find about 17,000 troops scattered along the coast from
Saint Augustine, Fla., to North Edisto Inlet, South Carolina, distributed as
follows:
At Saint Augustine, Fla.
|
200
|
At Jacksonville, Fla.
|
1,400
|
At mouth of Saint John's River, Fla.
|
70
|
At Fernandina, Fla.
|
900
|
At Tybee Island, Ga.
|
2,200
|
At Daufuskie Island, S. C.
|
1,600
|
At Bird Island, S. C.
|
300
|
At Jones Island, S. C.
|
300
|
At Hilton Head, S. C.
|
4,500
|
At Bay Point, S. C.
|
80
|
At Beaufort, S. C.
|
3,600
|
At Otter Island, S. C.
|
450
|
At North Edisto River, S. C.
|
1,400
|
17,000
|
It is my opinion that this force is entirely too much
scattered and is subject to be cut off in detail.
I shall order an abandonment of Jacksonville, Fla., and the
re-enforcement of Forts Marion and Clinch. From later accounts I may add the
Union feeling in Florida is not so strong as we were first induced to believe.
The batteries for opening on Fort Pulaski have been retarded
by the non-arrival of the necessary guns, ammunition, &c. But Captain Gillmore,
who deserves great credit for his untiring and scientific exertions, is now
nearly ready, and by the next steamer I hope to be able to announce to you the
fall of Pulaski. We then shall be able to hold the Savannah River with a small
force and to concentrate on Charleston.
General Sherman made a requisition in December for five
steamers drawing not more than 6 feet each. He informs me that they were
purchased for him and sent from New York, but put into Hatteras in a storm, and
are there detained by General Burnside. We are still very much in want of these
light-draught boats, and, as we have but three wagons to a regiment, they are
absolutely essential.
On my leaving Washington you had the kindness to promise me
whatever force I might ask. We shall do all that men can do with the small
force we have; but it distresses me to be in such a beautiful situation for
striking strong blows without the arms to strike. I beg that you will send us
at once as many men as you think we can use to advantage, as all the officers
in command report the re-enforcement of the enemy on their respective fronts.
I most earnestly request that 50,000 muskets, with all the
necessary accouterments, and 200 rounds for each piece, may be sent to me at
once, with authority to arm such loyal men as I can find in the country,
whenever, in my opinion, they can be used advantageously against the enemy.
It is important that I should be able to know and
distinguish these men at once, and for this purpose I respectfully request that
50,000 pairs of scarlet pantaloons may be sent me; and this is all the clothing
I shall require for these people.
I believe the rebel regiments as they retreat from the Army
of the Potomac come directly to their respective States and that in this way
the force opposed to us here is becoming considerably augmented.
I have the honor to
be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D.
HUNTER,
Major-General, Commanding.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series III, Volume
2 (Serial No. 123), p. 27-8
