Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-04-14
THE LATE EXPEDITION TO FLORIDA.

The report of the Committee The Conduct of the War,
relative to the origin progress and results Of the late
petition into Florida, with the statement that
on the 9Th of last September Gen. Gilmore addressed to
Gen. Haleck proposition to send force operate in
Florida to its most valuable territory, cut off
rich source of the enemys supplies and increase the
Der of black troops Ga the ED Gen. Halleck replied
authorizing him to undertake such operation he
might deem best, in the time holding securely tho
position already gained before Charleston.
On the l4th of January Gen. Gilmore asked permission
to establish on the west branch of st. Clair river Flo
rida depot preparatory to easy advance and the
following day he wrote to the Secretary of War in rea
ton to coored troops to garrison the forts from which the
troops for the expedition to be drawn On the ed
of the same month Gen. Haleck wrote as follows:
"In regard to your proposed operations il Florida the
Secretary OF War replied that the matter has been lett
entirely to your Judgment aud discretion with the means
at your command As the object Of The exped
son has not been explained it impossible Judge here
Of its advantages or prsctcabity If it is expected
give an outlet for cotton, open favorable field for the
enlistment OF eoored troops the advantages may be suH
Gent justify the expense in money, but, simply mill
expeditions II successful they merely absorb troops
IN gsrrHons to occupy the places captured and have little
or no influence upon the progress Of the war
Gen. Gilmore urged in reply that such occupations
would afford outlet to cotton lumber and other pro-
ducts prevent the rebels from obtaining rich supplies of
Deef, and from establishing railroad communications else
where by the seizure and of the rails of the Fern
dina and st. Marys railroad and would also enable the
Government to obtain colored recruits sand naugurate
measures for the speedy restoration Of Florida her ale
glance.
The only step taken by the President seems to have
been the followingi
Executive MANSION,
Washington January 49,
Major General GILMORE: understand effort is be-
ing made by some worthy gentlemen to reconstruct legal
State Government in Florida Florida is in your depart
ment and it is not unlikely you may be there in person
have given Mr. Hay commission of pr and sent him
to you with blank books aud other blanks to aid in
the construction. He will explain as to the OF
using the banks aud also my general views the SUBJ
Ject 1t is desirable for all to cooperate but if rrecon-
ciabe differences Of opinion shall arise you master
wish the thing done 10 the most speedy way possible
nation the subject The detail labor will of course
have to be done by others, but shall be greatly obliged
II you will give such general supervision you find
consistent with your more strictly military duties
A. LINCOLN.
The expedition, numbering six or seven thousand men,
was placed BY Gen. Glmores order under Gen Seymour
and Rear Admiral DAhlsren furnished three gunboats
The particulars of these operations given which have
been heretofore substantially communicated to the public
After Gen. Gilmore, who had accompanied the expsdi
ton, had returned to Hilton Head he received drspatch
from the commanding General desiring that demonstra-
on might be made against Savannah prevent the send
ing Of relief to the rebel forces in Florida Gen. Gilmore
immediately dispatched Gen Turner his chief of staf with
orders for the forces Florida to fall back terrible
storm prevented this order reaching sonvie until the
battle Of Olusee raging. Gen. Turner n CON-
muDicston with Gen Seymour, but deemed it expedient
10 withhold the order during the engagement.
The remainder Of the report states that were
less than those of the rebels and that they aiysn
tsge of position in improvsed entrenchmens OF logs rifle
pits, &C.