Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-26
HEADoUARTERs OF THE ARMY
February 90, 1862
MAJOR General %. F.. Butler. Us Armv:

MAJOR General u. r. Butler, L. s Army:
GENERAL: You are assigned to the command
of the land forces destined 70 operate with the
navy in the attack upon New Orleans IOuwill
use every means TO keep the destination pro
found secret, even from your staf officers, with
the exception of your Chief of staff and Lieut..
Weitzel. of the engineers
The force at your disposal will consist Of the
first thirteen regiments named in your memoran-
DUN handed 10 me IN person, the 2lst Indiana,
4lh Wisconsin and 9th Michigan. (od and good
regiments from Baltimore these three regi-
ments will await your orders At Fortress Monroe
Two companies of the DIST Indiana are well
drilled at heavy artillery. The cavalry force al
ready Ell route for Ship Island will be sufficient
for your purposes After full consultation with
officers well acquainted with the country in which
il is proposed to operate, have arrived at the
conclusion that three light batteries fully equip
ped, and one without horses, will be all that will
be necessary.
This will make yonr force about Ia 400 in
fantry, 275 cavalry. $50 artillery; total, Is, 255
men
The Commanding General OF the Department
OF Key West Is authorized To loan YOU tempora.
riiy. TWO regiments; Fort Pickens can probably
give YOU another. which will bring your force TO
nearly $4,000 The object OF your expedition is
one OF vital impor,ance-the capture OF New
River, and the first obstacle 20 be encountered.
perhaps the only one, is in The resistance offered
by Forts st. Phillip aud Jackson. IL is expected
that the navy can reduce the works; ia that case,
you will, after their capture, leave sufficient
garrison in them to render them perfectly secure;
anu it Is recommended that upon the upward
passage a few heavy guns and some troops be
left at the pilot station. at the forks of the river
to cover retreat in the case Of disaster. The
| troops and guns will OF course be removed IA
soon the forts are ptured.
Should the navy fail 10 reduce the works. you
/ will land your forces and siege train, and en-
deavor TO breach the works, silence their fire, aud
carry them bv assault.
| The next resistance will be near the English
! Bend where there are some earthen batteries;
| here it may be necessary for you To land your
! troops. TO cooperate with the naval attack, al
| though il is more than probable that the navy,
unassisted. can accomplish the result. Ii these
works taken the city of New Orleans neces
/ sarlv falls.
Ia that event II will probably be best to occupy
! Algiers with the mass of your troops. also the
eastern bank OF the river above the city-it may
be necessary 10 place some troops ia the CITY TO
preserve order; though, it there appears sufficient
Union sentiment To control the city. il may he
best for purposes of discipline 10 keep your men
out of the city
will necessary to reduce all the works guarding
its approaches from the east. aud particularly TO
gain the Msnchac Pass.
Baton Rouge, Berwick Bay and Fort Liyngs
ton will next claim your attention
A feint on Galveston may facilitate the objects
| we have in view need not call your attention
to the necessity of gaining possession OF all the
| rolling stock YOU can, on the different RAILWAYS,
and of obtaining control of the roads them
al 'ka. IF r. In.
combined naval and land force, should be accom-
plished soon possible after you have gained
New 0rle,ns; then endeavor To open your com
| munication with the northern column of the Mis-
sissippi, always bearing in mind the necessity OF
occupying jackson. Miss. AS soon "a you can
safel, do So either after or before you have
effected the junction. Allow nothing to di-
vert you from obtaining IRON full possession
of all the approaches 10 New Orleans
When the object is accomplished 10 its fullest ex
tent il will be necessary TO make combined
attack on MOBILE. in order to gain possession OF
| the harbor aud works, Hs well as 10 control the
/ railway terminus at the city. In regard 10 this
| | will send you more detailed Instructions, "a the
operations OF the northern column develop them
selves may simply states that the general ob
jectS of the expedition are, first, the reduction
of New Orleans and all its approaches, then
Mobile aud all its deienses. then Pensacola Gal
weston, &c IL is probable that, by the time
New Orleans is reduced, it will be in the power
of the Government TO reinforce the land force:
sufficiently 10 accomplish ali these objects; IL
the meantime YOU will please give all the assist
anee in your power 90 the army and navy com
mtnders in your vicinity, never losing sight Of
the fact that the great object 10 be achieved i,
the capture and firm retention OF New Orleans.
Very respectfully, your obeient servant,
! GEORGE Il McCLELLAx
Major General Commanding. &c. &c.