In planning the attack, the Federals placed great importance on capturing the trestle bridge of the Florida Railroad that crossed the Amelia River. Secretary Welles gave the go ahead and Brig. Our reliance is on the squadron for boats for landing the troops and for cover in landing. It is of the highest importance to the full success of our operations that the wharves at Fernandina, which the enemy will no doubt attempt to destroy, should be preserved. The South was not ignorant of the Union's intentions.
Nothing human can prevent it.
There are not 4,000 pounds of powder at every post combined. The batteries are incorrectly put up and not finished. The enemy can land where they please. One advantage the Confederates had was the existance of Fort Clinch, built in 1842 to cover the entrance to Fernandina's harbor in the interior. Even with the fort, conditions at Fernandina were deplorable.