The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-22
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND ''tuo>kAr

telegaphed to Gen. Seymour not to risk a re-
pulse in advancing on Lake City. but to hold
Sanderson unless there were reasons for falling
back which did not know; and in case his
advance met with serious opposition, to con-
centrate at SandersOn and the south fork of the
81. Mary's, and If necessary to bring back Col.
Henry's command, the mounted force, to the
latter place. G6 sf
On the 18th Gen. Seymour inform ed me from
Sanderson that he should fall back to the south
fork of the st.. Mary's as soon US Col. Henry,
whom he had ordered back from the front, had
returned. On the same day telegraphed to
Gen. Seymour that wanted his command at
and beyond Baldwin concentrated at Baldwin
without delay, for reasons which gave him.
Gen. Seymour joined me at Jacksonville on
the 18th, the main body of his command being
at that time at Baldwin as directed. He had
however, sent Col. Henry towards the left to
capture some railroad trains at Gainesville on
the Fernandina and Cedar Keys Railroad. At
ter arranging with Gen Seymour for the con-
struction OF certain defenses at Jacksonville,
Baldwin and the South Fork of st. Narys,
started for Hilton Head on the 10Th, leaving
behind me Capt Rose of the Engineers to
give the necessary instructions for the defences
referred to- ...
I considered It we'll understood at that time
vance would be made without further instruc.
lions from me, nor until the defenses were all
advanced. On the 18th was greatly surprised
at receiving letter from Gen Seymour dated
the 18th, stating that he intended to advance
without supplies, in order to destroy the rail-
road at Suwanee River, 100 miles from Jack
sonville. / ct once dispatched Gen. Turner,
my Chief of Staff, to jacksonville to stop the
movement. He was the bearer of letter to
Gen. SeymO-r. Upon arriving at Jacksonville
after considerable delay, owing to the inclem-
ency of The weather, helearned that Gen. Sey-
mour was engaged with the enemy in front,
near Olustee, tOrty-eight miles from Jackson
vile by railroad. When / left Jacksonville on
the 10Th, was entirely satisfied with the sue
cess OF our operations up to that time. I
briefly communicated to You my plans with re-
gard to Florida in my letter of Feb Is. from
which extract as follows:
Gov SeymOur's advance has been within
four miles of Lake City. but as his instructions
were not to risk q repulse, or make an attack
when there Was prospect of mourning much
loss he has taken up position at Baldwin.
The junction of the railroad from jacksonville
with the one from Fernandina. He holds also
the crossing of the St. Mary's South Fork
abon7 twelve miles west of Baldwin. 1 intend
to construct several works capable of resisting
a coup de main at Jacksonville, Baldwin, PLAT
ka, and perhaps one or two other important
points, go strengthened that two or three hun
dred men will be sufficient at each point
Twenty five hundred men, in addition to two
regiments that have been permanently station.
ed in the State at st. Augustine, and one at
Fernandina. ought to be ample in Florida
The artillery captured here will be sufficient
for such defensive work as may be deemed ne
cessary. desire to see the lumber and tur-
rentine trade on St. Johns river revived by
loyal men, and for that purpose, and to give
assurance that our occupation of the river is
Intended 10 be permanent. l have wri ten to the
secretary OF the Treasury, recommending that
the port of Jacksonville be declared open.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
Q A. GILMORE.
Maj Gen. Commanding.
tOiiicial Copy.) j. q. KELToN, A. G.
The Committee on the Conduct of the
War made report to-day relative to the
Florida campaign. The main facts embOd-
led in it are contained in Gillmore's report.
The additional ones are, that on the 18th
of December last, Gilmore proposed to
use his troops for either of two operations,
one being t e Florida campaign.
On the 22d of January Halleck wrote
Gilmore that he had sent him the author.
ity of the Secretary of War to operate as
he pleased, taking care not to lose anything
already gained Halleck told him he did
not think such detached expeditions ad-
visable unless he could open an outlet for
cotton, or secure negro recruits.
General Turner, Chief of Staff, testiies
that We lost 1861 killed, wounded and
missing. General Seymour claimed that
the enemy had force of 10000 men, but
Gen Turner thinks they had NO more than
5000, being about 1000 more than our
force. They had the decided advantage
nposition. Our troops fought well, except
the 7th New Hampshire and the 9Th q. S.
negro regiment. The testimony is that
the negro troops did as well as the white
troops. We had six regiments of white
troops and five of negroes. The enemy's
loss not known, but was less than ours.
The Committee say that the President
appears to have had no connection with
the expedition, except as follows:
On the 18th of January, he writes to
Gil more, in substance that, learning some
worthy persons were moving to organize
loyal State Government in Florida, and
as he supposes Gilmore might be on the
ground, he had commissioned Mr.. Hay as
Major and sent him with blanks to aid in
the reconstruction of the State Hay is
to assist in filling the blanks, and explain
the Presidents views. The President
hopes ell will co operate, but in case ire
concilable differences should arise, Gill
more is master. He wants the work done
as speedily as possible, 80 as to bring the
State within the terms OF the Amnesty
Proclamation.