New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-22

Loyalty disposed citizens of Florida back tol
their Allegiance. Tho latter object Of the expe-
dition was committed TO Major Hays and, 1t is
apparent, required no action on bis part until
after permanent and somewhat extensive re-
possession of The country was effected.
At the time when the expedition landed. what
little force tho enemy had in East Florida was
greatly scattered. The expedition started on
the 5th of February; effected landing at
Jacksonville, captured Camp Fiunegan by a.
coup de main, and took all the artillery the
Rebels had in East Florida. Taking advantage
of this success. cur troops wero at once pushed
forward and we took possession of Baldwin;
an important point, twenty miles from Jackson
Vile, snd the junction Of the railroads from
Jacksonville and Fcrnandina. Telegraphic COM
muncation was established, and portion OF
our troops sent forward to Sanderson. Gen.
Gilmore gave orders to Gen. Seymour not 10
, RISK ishk ropulso by any further advance out to
hold Sanderson, unless some contingency should
arise that would make it advisable to iSii oaes,
In which case ho would concentrate at Baldwin
and the south fork of the ST. Mary's. On the
18th of February, Con. Seymour determined to
fall hack to the south fork OF the st. Marys,
and then Gen. Gilmore ordered him to concen-
tratc all his command at Baldwin. Gen. Gill
more, having given orders for the immediate
construction of defensive works at the south
fork of the st. Mary's, at Jacksonville, and at
Baldwin, and having a clear understanding with
Gen. Seymour that no Advance vas to be made
,eithost further Instructions, and not until those
defensive works were constructed; and having
again satisfied himself that the expedition thus
fsr was entirely successful. returned TO head
quarters at Hilton Head. leaving Gen. Seymour
in command in Florida.
On the 18th. Gen. Seymour determined to
make an advance to a point 100 miles from
Jacksonville near the Suwsnec, for the purpose
of destroying the railroad there. He had no in
structiOns from Gen. Gilmore. and acted upon
his own judgment. He advanced without sup
plies for his army. Intelligence of his intended
movement was received by Gen. Gilmore on
the 18th; and, surprised at the want Of fore
sight and the assumption Of such authority on the
part of Gen. Seymour in ordering and hazard
ing such an advance, he instantly dispatched,
in special transport, Gen. John ". Turner,
his Chief of Staff with orders to stop peremp-
torily the purposed advance. The weather
grew stormy, protrscting the voyage of the
transport to an unusual length, and seeming to
conspire with the insubordinstion Of Gen. sey'
mour In frustrating the attempt of Gen. Gill
more to stay the advance Of our forces, and to-
save them from the consequences Of this unau-
thori,ed raid toward the Suwanee. When Gen.
Turner arrived OF Jacksonville, 1t was too late
to effect the object of his mission, because Gen.
Seymour was then actually engaged with the
enemy near Olustee, which Is on the railroad,
and about AZ miles from Jacksonville.
II is needless to rccite again the details or
issue of that fight. That our men fought well,
all know. But we repeat that the battle was
fought by Gen. Seymour, unadvisedly and with
out authority; that Gen. Gilmore had done all
that commander can do to provide against
such an occurrence during his necessary absence
from the scene Of operations; that, when be
heard of the rash enterprise, he instantly took
all means in his power to stop the movement;
and that the Florida expedition was entirely
successful up to the time that he had temporarily
to leave the command in the hands of another.
We cannot see that any blame, therefore, can
justly attach TO Gen. Gilmore; but that his
conduct has been characterized by that habitual
diligence and circumspection which he has so
cminently shown on all occasions.
Nor do We see that any blame can be prop |
erly imputed to the President for an attempt
judcious, SO far as his participation in it is con-
cerned-to redeem Florida from Rebel rule
and to protect its loyal citizens in a return to
their proper allegiance.