New-York daily tribune., 1864-04-12
THE BATTLE OF 0LUSTEE.
General GilllnCre's Report.
The OBJECT OF THE FLORIDA EXPEDITION.
Gen. SeymOur's Advance Against Orders
HEApovAKTERs, ID. S, HILTON HEAD = c"

s-(es
have the honor to submit herewith copies Of
s,ain letters and teegraphc dispatches which CON-
.,ise the instructions given to Brig.Gon T. Seymour
,elatye 10 operations in Florida prior TO the fight at
O,u,tee on the Goth Mt brief narrative of events
snpeeted with the recent occupation Of Florida, west
n the St. Johns River will not be ont Of place.
Hinder date of the 22d December 1865, was author
,d by you to undertake such operations in my depart
uent as might deem bos suggesting conference with
Admiral Dahlgren, &c.
On Jan. H. 1864. wrote you that unless it would IN
terere with the views OF the War Department should
occupy the west bank Of the St Johns River in Florida
very soop and establish small depo there preparatory
" all advance west at an early day.
On Jan. l5 I wrote to the Secretary Of War that
had in contemplation the occupation of Florida the
west bank Of the ST. Johns River at very early day
Under dase of Jan - YOU informed that in regard
30 my proposed operations in Florida the Secretary re-
pied that the matter had been left entirely to my udg'
ment and discretion with the means at my command
and that The object of the proposed expedition bad
moi been explained il was impossible for you to Juose
Of its advantages OF practicablity.
On Jan. 81, wrote informing you that the otlecs 10
be attained by the operations were:
l. TO procure an outlet for cotton lumber, timber &C.
To cut off one Of the enemy's sources of commits
sary supplies. &c.
/ Toobtan recruits for any colored regiments.
Te inaugurate measures for the speedy restoration
Of Florida 10 her allegiance, in accordance with In
strsctons which had received from the President by
the hands OF Major John Hay, Assistant Adjutant
General.
On February ; directed Gen. Seymour whose com
ynand was already embarked, to go TO Jacksonville.
Florida effect a landing there and push forward bis
mounted force 70 Baldwin twenty miles from Jackson
Vile the junction Of the two railroads from Jackson
vile and Fernandina. A portion of the command
reaehed Baldwin the 9th, at which point joined II
the evening of tbs day At that time the enc
nay had no force in East Florida except the scattered
fragments of Gen. Finnegans command we had taken
all his artillery On the 10TH portion Of our ferces
was sent toward Sanderson and returned to Jackson
Vile. Telegrapht communication was established
between Baldwin and Jacksonville on the llth On
that day teegraphed to Gen. Seymour not to risk
repVlse on advancing on Lake CITY, but TO hold SaI
SON unless there were for falling back which
did not know; and also in case his advance met with
any serious opposition concentrate at Sanderson and
she south fork Of tie ST. Msrys and If necessary to
bring back Col Henry to the latter place.
On the 18th Gen. Seymour informed me from Sander
ron that he should fall back the South Fork Of the
ST Nary's assoOn Col Henry, whom be had ordered
back from the 'front.' had returned On the day
,elegraphed TO Gen. Seymour that wanted bis corn
rnaud at aud beyond Baldwin concentrated at Baldwin
without delay for reasons which gave him. Gen.
Seymour Joined me at Jacksonville on the 18th. tho
main body Of hie command being al that time at Bald
win as directed. lie la however, sent Col. Henry
toward the left 10 capture some railroad traius at
GAINESVILLE the FernaEdina and Cedar Keys Rail
road.
fha ovcfvl
ton Of certain deenses at Jacksonville. Baldwin, and
the South Fork Of the st. Marys started for Hilton
Head the l5th leaving behind Capt Reese Of the
Engineers to give the necessary instructions for the
aefenses referred to- considered il well undeutoOd at
tat time between Gen. Seymour and myself that no
advance should be made without further instructions
from me, nor until the defenses were well advanced
On the lsth greatly surprised at receiving a
ktter fron Gen Seymour, dated the 18th, stating that
he intended advance without supplies in order TO
destroy the railroad the Savanna River 100 miles
from Jacksonville.
i at once dispatehedPen Turner to Jacksonville to
stop the movement. Hd the bearer Of a letter 70
Gen. Seymour. Upon arriving at Jacksonville after
considerable delay dse 10 the inclemency OF the
weather he learned that Gen. Seymour was engaged
with the enemy in ioat, near Olnstee +s miles from
Jacksonville by railroad.
A
srcy satisfied with the Of operations up TO
that time 1 briefly communicated 10 yOu my plans
with regard to Florida Ia my letter Of Feb Is from
which l extract follows:
Gen Seymour's advance has been within four miles
Of Lake City but his instructions not 10 Ilsk
repuse make attack when there prospect Of
incuring much loss he has taken up position at Bald
win tic Junction Of the railroad from Jacksonville with
the one from Fcrnandina. lie holds also the crossing
OF tie ST Marys South Fork. about IL miles west Of
Baldwin.
81 intend 10 construct small works capable Of resist
ing coupde main at Jacksonville Baldwin, Plaikd,
and perhaps two other important points, so strong
sat 200 OF 700 will be sufficient at each point
"Twenty.fre hundred men in addition 10 the two
regiments that have been permanently stationed IN
Ais State Zone 1T st. Augustine and at fernandina)
o0gls 70 be ample in Florida"
Tb, artillery captured here win suffice for such de-
fensiye works as may be deemed necessary
desie to the lumber and turrentine trade on the
H. John sRiyer revived by loyal men, and for that pur'
pose and q give that occupation Of this
nyer is intended TO be permanent have written 10 the
Secretary Of the Treasury. recommending that the port
dJacksonvile be declared open.
Very respectfully, your obt sery't
@ A. GILMORE, Mai Gen. Com.