^orre&p*^cv^c^,on^^,o\^. VhA u)ec/\ or- STEPHEN Bo WEEKS CUSS OF B86; PHD. THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY OF THE HMVERSfflT OF MMI CATOM K9+ I CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, Ere MAJOR-GENERAL DAVID HUNTER, MAJOR-GENERAL .1. G. FOSTER, BRIGADIER GENERAL HENRY M. NAGLEE, OTH KK.S U IT ! I' & i CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, Etc. BETWEEN MAJOR-GENERAL DAVID HUNTER, MAJOR-GENERAL J. G. FOSTER, BRIGADIER-GENERAL HENRY M. NAGLEE, AND OTHERS. FEBRUAEY AND IVCA-IiCII, 1863. PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., Nos. 715 and 717 Market St. 18 63. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/correspondenceorOOhunt CORRESPONDENCE, Etc. Headquarters 18th Army Corps, Flag Ship "John Farron," Feb. 7th, 1863. General Order \ No. i During the temporary absence of General Foster, the detachment of the 18th Army Corps, in this department, will be under command of Brigadier- General Naglee. As this detachment is only intended to co-operate with the troops of this department, the command will be considered distinct. The troops will be immediately landed on St. Helena Island, and the transports will be thoroughly cleansed and supplied afresh with subsistence stores, coal, and water, for ten (10) days. Requisition will be made on the quartermaster's depart- ment for surf-boats and scows, which will be put in order for the disembarkation of the troops. By command of Maj.-Gen. Foster. (Signed) JOHN F. ANDERSON, Major and A. A. A. Gr. LETTER FROM GEN. NAGLEE TO GEN. HUNTER. Headquarters Detachment 18th Corps, Harbor of Port Royal, Feb. 11th, 1863. Colonel : I would respectfully submit the following state- ment: — General Foster, prior to his departure, ordered "that dur- (3) ing his temporary absence, his detachment should be kept distinct," and detached from those of the tenth department, and stated that he had come to South Carolina for an especial purpose, and that as soon as that was accomplished, if not before, it would return to his department; that his absence, caused by the necessary delay of the navy, would be short, and that it was expressly understood between "General Hun- ter and himself, that the immediate command of the force to operate in the present expedition was to be in his hands in accordance with the wish of the Secretary of War, Mr. Stanton." You are probably aware that the expedition was intended to go to Wilmington, in General Foster's department, and that after it was prepared to move, the Monitor sunk, and it was found the other iron-clad vessels could not cross the bar, and that the Government,* in order not to lose the prepara- tions made, ordered General Foster to co-operate in the con- templated attack upon Charleston. This purpose was unknown to any of the command, until after the sailing of the vessels ; on the contrary, they believed Wilmington to be the object of the movement, and were assured that they would return to North Carolina. General Foster arrived at Hilton Head on the 2d of Feb- ruary, at 9 A.M., and remained until the 10th at 8 a.m., dur- ing which time General Hunter did not, so far as I am able to learn, exercise any command over General Foster or any of his troops. Three hours after the departure of General Foster, an aid-de-camp of General Hunter delivered communications, of which copies are herewith attached, (see Appendix, marked Nos. 1 and 2,) both dated before the departure of General Foster, but addressed to me: the one requesting a return of the forces of General Foster's command as necessary to make up that of the 10th Corps, which request had also been made of General Ferry ; the other indicating General Hunter's intention to review the troops of General Foster at 12 m. on the 11th ; and at the same time there was delivered to me the series of orders from the Headquarters of the Department of the South. At 3 p.m. General Potter, chief of General Foster's staff, and myself, called upon General Hunter and explained the unfortunate position in which we were placed by the discovery that a full understanding did not exist between Generals Hunter and Foster, as supposed by the latter at the time of his departure. At 5*45 p.m. an aid delivered your request, that I should name a colonel of my command to he detailed by General Hunter on a military commission, and was instructed to await the answer. (See Appendix, Nos. 3 and 4.) At 7'40 p.m. a request was received that I should furnish copies of certain orders of General Foster, and at the same time there was transmitted a copy and original communica- tion of General Saxon, with a request that certain criminals should be punished. (See Appendix, Nos.. 5 and 6.) I cannot but express a regret that some one of these re- quests had not been made of General Foster, or some other means adopted, during the eight days of General Foster's stay, by which the subject-matter at issue might have been determined, and thus have saved me the unpleasant duty of upholding, in his temporary absence, the position assumed by General Foster, and expected by the officers and soldiers of the 18 th Army Corps, who may find themselves transferred to another department in direct opposition to the representa- tions made to them by their favorite commander, that the absence from their old comrades in arms would be but a tem- porary one. I inclose herewith the orders, returns, and other informa- tion requested by you. An unqualified compliance with your several requests would be soon considered a direct acknowledgment that I considered the command of General Foster merged into that of General Hunter, which I respectfully decline to do. But on the contrary, in order to sustain the position in which I am placed, disclaiming any disrespect to Major-General Hun- 6 ter, my duty compels me to protest, that the course indicated by General Hunter will cause a direct failure on my part to carry out the orders of my immediate superior officer, indi- cated by him, and of those confidentially made to me, and intended to be used only under contingencies which have not as yet transpired. I protest that we came here with the full assurance of General Foster that he was sent by the Secretary of "War and General Halleck to command the troops brought by him, and that the same assurance has been repeated by him since his conference with General Hunter, and that during his stay I have been informed that no communication has been made to him to show the intention of General Hunter to assume the command. I protest, for the reason that, in going away to procure material of a character which would render the operations intended more complete and certain, General Foster left his Chief of Staff, his Chief of Artillery, his Medical Director, his Quartermaster, his Ordnance Officer, Engineer, and several of his Aids-de-Camp, all of the 18th Army Corps of the De- partment of North Carolina, which it would seem cannot well be merged in another department. I protest that no mere act of mine in responding to the various requests of General Hunter shall be hereafter used as evidence of a surrender of my command to General Hun- ter, in the absence of a direct order from General Hunter assuming the command. I would again respectfully request that General Hunter will relieve me of further responsibility and embarrassment, by formally and clearly announcing his intention to assume the command of the troops brought to South Carolina by General Foster. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brigadier- Gf-eneraL Lieut.-Col. Chas. G. Halpine, A. A. a. 10th Corps. P. S. Since writing the above, General Hunter's Order No. 13, assuming command of the reinforcements recently arrived from North Carolina, has been received. Yielding all obedience to the order, I still consider it mv duty respectfully to file the above protest, that the same may be of record. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brigadier- General. Headquarters Department of the South. Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C, Feb. 11th, 1863. General Order") No. 13. i" The undersigned hereby assumes command of the rein- forcements recently arrived in this department from North Carolina, such troops on the arrival here having become a portion of the 10th Army Corps. Brigadier-Generals Henry M. Naglee and Orris S. Ferry. commanding divisions, will cause the various staff officers of their commands to report and make due reports and returns to these headquarters. They will also cause the chief quar- termasters of their divisions to turn over all marine trans- portation brought down with them, to Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Elwell, Chief Quartermaster of this department. (See Appendix, No. 7.) The divisions commanded by Brigadier-Generals Henry M. Naglee and Orris S. Ferry will remain intact as at pres- ent organized; General Naglee, as senior officer, assuming command of all the U. S. forces on St. Helena Island, with the exception of those stationed at Bay Point, who will con- tinue to report to Post Headquarters, Hilton Head Island, until further orders. (Signed) D. HUNTER, Maj.-Gren. Commanding. GEN. HUNTER TO GEN. NAGLEE. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Feb. 12th, 1863. Brig.-Gen. Henry M. Naglee, Commanding U. S. Forces, St. Selena Island, S. C. General : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your com- munication of yesterday's date, in which you protest against the forces under your command to be considered a portion of the troops of this department and army corps, and in which you further speak of possessing confidential orders, only to be used in a certain contingency, which contingency (you say) has not yet arisen. Your letter further announcing that the troops recently sent under orders of the Government to reinforce this department, has been promised, (you do not specify particularly by whom,) a speedy return to North- Carolina, and that they are specially anxious to serve under a favorite general. It is high time that the imputation against American troops, that they are only willing to serve under particular generals of their own choice, and not those assigned to their command by Government, should be set at rest. In two prominent instances it was clamorously raised, with threats of a general mutiny, etc., etc. by a few interested parties, but on the mat- ters being put to the test of experiment, the prompt unques- tioning and hearty fidelity of the troops showed how little foundation there had been for the charges prejudicial to their loyalty. I am far from wishing to suggest that, in the man- ner of your protest on this point, there has been any spirit of insubordination manifested ; but as the mere statement of the point was utterly irrelevant to the discussion of a technical question of army law T s, usages, and discipline, I have given it this notice. Considering it highly improper and destructive of all military discipline that subordinate officers should be fur- 9 nished with confidential or secret instructions by intermediate commanders, such instructions being withheld from the gen- eral commanding-in-chief, and only to be used by the sub- ordinate general in the event of certain contingencies, I hereby call upon and order you to furnish to these head- quarters a certified copy or report of all the secret instruc- tions, verbal or written, received by you from Major-General Foster, or from any other person, and dwelt upon in your protest. Knowing that General Foster had not originally been ordered to accompany the reinforcements brought down by you, but had come here on my invitation, as an officer well acquainted with Charleston harbor, and therefore likely to be of much service, by his suggestions, and the interest he would feel in the operations, I confess that I regarded him rather as a guest than as a subordinate, and, from a spirit of courtesy, forbore as much as possible from giving any orders that would look like a too hasty assumption of command. I regret exceedingly to find that this courtesy should have been so strangely and wholly misconstrued as to be considered a license for insubordination. All my "requests," on which you appear to lay stress, were regarded by me as orders, to be promptly obeyed. The word "request" being frequently substituted for "order" by army usage in the case of superior officers. Thus when I requested you to land your troops, the first day of your arrival, on St. Helena Island, it was by me regarded as an order, and should most certainly been adhered to and enforced, had you then given me the least reason to infer that you doubted my competency to issue orders to your command. As you did not raise the question, however, but represented merely that General Foster was following you, and might be expected any moment, I waived the request or order for the time being, and consented that the troops should remain on board the transports until further advised. As to the further point made by you, that the "request" to be furnished with a return of your command was not re- 10 ceived by you until three hours after General Foster's de- parture for the North, the context evidently implying your assumption that the question of command was purposely held in abeyance by me during General Foster's presence here, there are three abundant answers, each sufficient to do away with your objections. 1st. That no possibility of any such controversy ever en- tered my mind, and that I was daily in expectation of receiv- ing, without order, the reports and returns prescribed by Army Regulations, and that, with my then view of General Foster's position as an honored visitor of this department and army corps, I much preferred, if possible, that the re- turns should be made, and the acknowledgment of the trans- fer of command be given of his own motion. 2d. That I did not know General Foster was going to leave the department, it being reported to me that he was about to visit Stono Inlet on a reconnoissance, from which he might be expected back in the course of a couple of days. The request or order, moreover, was written on the 9th, and was only not delivered to you on that afternoon or evening, by Captain Thompson, one of my aids, because he could not find you in your division encampment, you not yet having left your headquarters on board the transport. 3d, and lastly. You did not receive this request or order until the 9th inst., partly for the reasons stated in the first of these answering paragraphs, and also because my department return called for by general orders of the War Department was not required to be made up until the 10th inst. Finding on the 9th that your report was necessary, and not forthcom- ing, I then directed Colonel Halpine, my assistant adjutant- general, to address you on the subject, telling him to state, in connection with my request or order, the cause which made it necessary. As to your not receiving any other documents of a nature to suggest that I regarded myself as in command until the 10th inst., no explanation can be seriously asked. For three of the eight days referred to, I was absent at Fort Pulaski, 11 and having no orders or correspondence of any pressing mo- ment to send you, I was unwilling that you should be troubled until your command had been disembarked and put in order. In conclusion, general, let me add that the tone of your letter is so far removed from the tenor of your conversation upon these points, that I cannot but regard it as suggested to you by extraneous influences. You have received a regular military education, and I believe you to be so good a soldier that you cannot but agree with me in the views expressed in this letter. I shall expect, in the operations about to be taken in this department, your hearty and best co-operation ; and have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) D. HUNTER, Major- General . GEN. NAGLEE TO GEN. HUNTER. Headquarters Detachment 10th Corps, St. Helena Island, S. C, Feb. 13th. Colonel: I would respectfully acknowledge the receipt of the communication of General Hunter of the 12th inst. I regret very much that General Hunter indicates an im- propriety of expression not warranted by my communication. I did not assert " that the troops were specially anxious to serve under a favorite general," but that they had been pro- mised, from representations made to them by their favorite commander, that the absence from their old comrades in arms would be but a temporary one. I am surprised that General Hunter should consider it a great impropriety in American troops, that they should have favor and affection for a brave and gallant officer with whom they have long served; and am yet to learn that it is any indication of insubordination, or that they would fight the less for their country when led by one that was their favorite, 12 and in whom they had great confidence. On the contrary, as you admit in the instances referred to by you, it was fully demonstrated that it did not indicate any insubordination. The just discrimination and intelligence of the American citizen has always been admitted, and I cannot admit that they lose this character by becoming "American troops." There is no difference between General Hunter and myself in regard to the form of an order, or to his authority to as- sume the command ; but in the manner in which he made known his intentions to assume the command of General Foster's forces : and, with due respect, I still believe that the requests or orders referred to, should have been preceded by a notification to the whole command of over ten thousand persons, that a change of so important a character had been determined upon. I regret that General Hunter had not suspended his opin- ion in regard to certain confidential, not "secret instructions," until he should have had an opportunity to read them ; at all events, the impropriety of conduct charged against Gen- eral Foster in this regard, is a subject for which he alone is responsible. In reviewing the whole subject, I can find no just grounds for the intimations of insubordination made by General Hunter, and feel that my position, in the absence of General Foster, required a respectful and formal protest. In order that there shall be no misapprehension, I would here insert that Generals Hunter and Foster went together to Pulaski ; that General Foster made a reconnoissance to Stono; that we returned, and were at General Hunter's head- quarters during his absence on the P.M. of the 9th inst., and that General Foster left between 8 and 11 a.m. of the 10th of February, stating, in written orders, and in the communica- tion hereunto attached, that he should return in a short time. On the 10th General Hunter assumed command of the forces brought by General Foster to South Carolina, and ordered that his marine transportation should be turned over to his (General Hunter's) department. I might answer many if not all the points raised by Gen- 13 eral Hunter, but I am reminded that in a controversy be- tween a superior and his junior officer, the advantages are all on one side ; besides, such a controversy could lead to no better understanding between us. Our country requires our best, most harmonious, united efforts, and in the common cause to sink all personal considerations. Yery respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig.-G-en. Commanding. Lieut.-Col. Chas. G. Halpine, A. A. a. lUth Corps. CONFIDENTIAL LETTER OF GEN. FOSTER TO GEN. NAGLEE. Hilton Head, South Carolina, Feb. 9th, 1863. General Naglee, Present. General : In the orders that I gave you on the 7th inst., (expecting to sail on the following day,) I mentioned the cir- cumstance of keeping the command distinct. This is important, because it may be necessary, in the emer- gency of an attact on Newbern, N. C, to recall the whole force to North Carolina, at the shortest notice. I now write this note to inform you, in confidence, that it is understood by General Hunter and myself, that the immediate command of the whole force to operate in the present expedition is to be in my hands. This is also the wish of the Secretary of War, Mr. Stanton. Of course, in my absence, after the opening of the operations, you will be second in command only to myself of the operating force. In haste, very respectfully and truly, (Signed) J. G. FOSTER, Maj. -G-en. Comman ding. 14 P. S. If the navy happen to be ready to move before I re- turn, you will have all the necessary preparations made, and the troops of the corps embarked. And if the navy moves, move your command in conjunction with them, and operate as agreed upon verbally. Yours, etc., (Signed) J. G. FOSTER, Major- General. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Port Rotal, S. C, Feb. 16th, 1863. Special Orders") No. 87. ) In view of future operations, Brigadier-General Henry M. Naglee, commanding U. S. forces, St. Helena Island, S. C, will cause the division commanded by Brigadier- General 0. S. Ferry to be immediately embarked and transported to Danfuskie Island, where they will establish a camp; General 0. S. Ferry becoming Post Commander of Danfuskie Island, and hereafter reporting direct to these headquarters. II. The chief quartermaster, Department of the South, will see that the necessary transportation for the execution of this order is supplied without delay. By command of Maj.-Gen. Hunter. CHAS. G. HALPINE, Asst. Adj. -Gen. 10th Army Corps. Brig.-Gen. Naglee, C. C. St. Helena Island, S. C. GEN. NAGLEE TO GEN. HUNTER. Headquarters Detachment 10th Corps, St. Helena Island, S. C, Feb. 18th, 1863. Colonel : I believe I have complied with all of the calls for information you have been pleased to make; if there is 1-5 anything overlooked, please suggest it at once, that there may he no misunderstanding. Please say to the general that my division may he reviewed hy him at any hour; that of General Ferry may require some preparation. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig. -Gen. Commanding. Lieut.-Col. Chas. G. Halpine, A. A. General. Note. — The above was delivered by me to Colonel Halpine, who re- quested me to inform General Naglee, that all of the information that General Hunter had desired, had been most promptly furnished, and in the most satisfactory manner by General Naglee. GEORGE H. JOHNSTON, St. Helena Island, Feb. 19th, 1863. A. A. Gen. GEN. HALLECK TO GEN. HUNTER. Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D.C., Feb. 15th, 1863. Major-General Hunter, Commanding Department of the South. General: Major-General J. G. Foster has just received Brigadier-General Naglee's protest to you on the 11th instant, against the consolidation of the detachment of the 18th Army Corps, in your department, with the 10th Corps ; which pro- test and accompanying papers have been submitted to the Secretary of War. There seems to be a misunderstanding in this matter on both sides. General Foster and his command, while serving in your department, was to be subject to your general orders and direction; but that command was to form no part of the 10th Army Corps. It was organized as the 18th Army Corps by the President, and no subordinate authority could change its 16 organization. You will therefore rescind so much of your orders as consolidates it with the 10th Corps. But while this command remains as a distinct organization, with its own offi- cers, as assigned by its proper chief, the command itself, so long as it remains in your department, will be subject to your orders. The transportation which belongs to the 18th Army Corps will so continue. It will, of course, be used for any temporary purposes you may direct; but will afterward be restored to the North Carolina forces, to which it properly belongs. In fine, general, these forces are merely assigned for temporary duty under your orders, and their organiza- tion, both in men and material, will be retained, so that the corps can at any time be returned entire (except casualties) to its proper department. General Foster will, as you requested, return immediately to South Carolina, to take the direct charge of the expedition, (under your direction,) and will remain so long as he may deem it safe to be absent from his own department. This letter has been submitted to the Secretary of War and to the President, and is approved by them. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) H. W. HALLECK, Cfeneral-in- Chief. (Official Copy.) (Signed) J. C. Keehon, Asst. Adj.-G-eneral. For General Foster. GEN. HALLECK TO GEN. HUNTER. Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C, Feb. 16th, 1863. Maj.-Gen. Hunter. Your letter of the 11th, with inclosures, are just received. I received yesterday a copy of your order, merging the de- 17 tachment of the 18th Army Corps with the 10th, and also a copy of General Naglee's protest. These papers were im- mediately submitted to the Secretary of War and the Presi- dent, and I wrote to you as directed by them. Your letters of the 11th are also submitted, and no reason is seen for changing the instructions then given, nor is anything per- ceived in General Foster's orders that conflict with those instructions, or with the verbal understanding with you, in the office of the Secretary of War, before you left for your present command. If General Foster, or any part of the 18th Army Corps, while in your department, shall attempt to act independently of your authority, and in violation of proper orders from you, they will be liable to censure and punishment. But it is not understood that General Foster makes any such claim; on the contrary, on being furnished with a copy of my letter to you of yesterday, he expressed himself entirely satisfied, as he considered himself and his corps, while in your department, subject to your order. It is to be regretted, general, that on the eve of important movements, when the most cordial co-operation of all the offi- cers of the Government is imperatively required, anything should be permitted to occur which is calculated to distract the harmony of the service. If the plans of the Government should fail to be carried out, for want of this harmony, those who have engendered and fostered animosities and jealousies will incur a very serious responsibility. General Naglee's protest to you being disapproved, the Secretary of War has directed that he be relieved from duty in your department. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) H. W. HALLECK, Greneral-in- Chief. 2 18 GEN. HALLECK TO GEN. FOSTER. Headquarters op the Army, Washington, D. C, Feb. 16th, 1863. Ma j.- Gen. J. G. Foster, Commanding, etc. General: Colonel Townsend, of the Adjutant- General's Department, will furnish you with a copy, or show you the original of my letter, of this date, to Major-General Hunter. This, with my letter of yesterday, to General Hunter, of which you have a copy, will furnish you with the view of the Government in regard to the relation between yourself and General Hunter, in regard to your command in South Caro- lina. While your command will remain a distinct corps organization, not to be merged into the 10th Army Corps, both you and it will be subject to General Hunter's orders, so long as you are on duty in his department. As the course pursued by General Naglee in objecting to furnish his superior officer with proper returns, and the spirit of his protest are disapproved, the Secretary of War directs that you relieve him from further duty in the Department of the South ; Colonel Townsend has instructions from the War Department, to relieve, under certain contingencies, other officers. Harmony of action, and a cordial co-operation of all officers in the contemplated expedition, are absolutely essential to its success. Those who in any way interfere with this harmony will be dealt with as they deserve. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) H. W. HALLECK, G-eneral-in- Chief. 19 GEN. FOSTEK TO GEN. NAGLEE. Beaufort, North Carolina, February 20th, 1863. General Naglee, ComoVg Detachment 18iA Army Corps, Port Royal, South Carolina. General: I received jour dispatches by the hands of Col- onel Darr; and upon their presentation to General Halleck, obtained the letter to General Hunter of the 15th. (See copy.) This was approved by the President and Secretary of War ; I then left to start from Baltimore the following evening. At the time of starting, Colonel Townsend joined me, with the letter to me of the 16th, General Hunter's dispatches having arrived since I left Washington. This letter was not of such a character as would enable me, with proper self-respect, to return to South Carolina, inas- much as it required me to relieve you. I therefore telegraphed this in substance to General Hal- leck, and he left it optional with me to return or not. I choose not to return. He now leaves it optional with Hunter to relieve you or not. General Hunter, as you see by the letters, is required' to rescind his Order No. 13, and the detachment of the 18th Corps is to remain distinct. My staff will return with Colonel Townsend, also the "Spaulding" and "John Farron." I shall operate in North Carolina in two weeks, from this time, with my remaining force. In haste, very respectfully and truly yours, (Signed) * J. G. FOSTER, Maj.-Gren.. Commanding 18th Corps. 20 GEN. NAGLEE TO LIEUT.-COL. HALPINE, A. A. G. Headquarters Detachment 10th Corps, St. Helena Island, Feb. 25th, 1863. Colonel: Colonel Townsend, A. A. G. U. S. A., delivered to me on the 22d February inst., copies of the letters from General Halleck to General Hunter, dated the 15th and 16th inst., of which General Hunter was kind enough to show me the originals last evening. In that of the 16th, General Halleck says, "General Naglee's protest being disapproved, the Secretary of War has directed that he be relieved from duty in your (General Hunter's) department." I would there- fore respectfully request that General Hunter will notify me officially, in writing, as he did last evening verbally, of his determination in regard to the above ; and at the same time furnish me with a copy of the telegram to Colonel Townsend, that I may have a full record of the communications in the premises, so far as I am connected with them. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig. -Gen. Commanding. Lieut.-Col. Halpine, A. A. a. 10th Corps. GEN. HALLECK TO GEN. HUNTER, BY TELEGRAPH. Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Va., February 18th, 1863. Major-General D. Hunter, U. S. Vols., Com. Dept. of S. Carolina, Hilton Head, S. C. Sir : I have received at this place the following dispatches from Major-General Halleck : — 21 " Headquarters of the Army, "Washington, February 18th, 1863. "Colonel Townsend. "Communicate the following to Major-General Hunter: — "Major-General Foster having determined not to return to South Carolina, it is left to your discretion to relieve General Naglee, or to retain him in command of the detachment of the 18th Army Corps in your department. "(Signed) H. W. Halleck, " General-in-Chief." Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adjt.-G-en, (A true copy.) (Signed) Chas. G. Halpine, A. A.-Gren. 10th Army Corps. GEN. HUNTER TO GEN. NAGLEE. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C, Feb. 27th, 1863. General Henry M. Naglee, Commanding U. S. Forces, St. Selena Island, S. C. General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, dated the 25th instant, in which you recite, from a copy furnished to you on the 22d instant, the following extract from a letter written by Major-General Hal- leck to Major-General Hunter, on the 16th instant: — "General Naglee's protest being disapproved, the Secretary of War has directed that he be relieved from duty in your (General Hunter's) department." And in reply to your letter, I am instructed by the major- general commanding to transmit herewith, a certified copy of a 22 telegram, dated the 18th instant, sent by Major-General Hal- leck, General-in-Chief U. S. A., through Colonel E. D. Towns- end, A. A. G. U. S. A., from which you will perceive that the matter of relieving you or retaining you in command of the reinforcements, is left to General Hunter's discretion. This telegram was undoubtedly based on General Hunter's emphatic statement, made and repeated to General Halleck, in every letter to which the controversy regarding the status and command of the reinforcements from North Carolina has given rise, to the effect that your conduct in the matter had been blameless, in General Hunter's judgment, and that you had only done your duty in bringing before these headquarters, on General Hunter's assumption of command, instructions from your former commanding officer, which set up, on his behalf, a claim to retain independent command of the rein- forcements ordered by Government to General Hunter's de- partment. Such being the facts of the case, it must be unnecessary to add that General Hunter uses the discretion given him by Major-Gen eral Halleck, to retain your services in this depart- ment ; and that fully appreciating your many excellent quali- ties as a brave, experienced, and efficient officer, it is his hope that you will have no cause to regret your service in this department. I have the honor to be, general, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, Ass. Adjt.-Cf-en. iOth Army Corps. GEN. NAGLEE TO CAPT. JOHNSTON, A. A. G. Headquarters Detachment 18th Army Corps, St. Helena Island, S. C, Feb. 26th, 1863. Captain: I would respectfully request you to furnish a statement which shall state all of the facts in regard to the 23 call made by General Hunter for returns, and other informa- tion, on the 10th and 11th of February, or at any and all other times since we have been in South Carolina, so far as any question may be raised charging any "objection on my part to furnish proper returns, or to comply with any order of General Hunter." And also, whether within your knowledge, officially, con- fidentially, socially, or in any manner whatever, you have ever heard or seen any act or word from me that " indicated or could in any manner be meant or construed to indicate a want of 'harmony of action or cordial co-operation in the con- templated expedition,'" or in any other movement against the enemy. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig.-G-eneral. Capt. George H. Johnston, Ass. Adjt-Gfen. CAPT. JOHNSTON TO GEN. NAGLEE. Headquarters Detachment 18th Army CoRrs, St. Helena Island, S. C, Feb. 27th, 1863. General : In answer to your inquiry of yesterday, I would respectfully state that, on the 10th, upon your opening the request made by General Hunter, for a return of your division, you immediately ordered me not only to prepare that of your division, but that of the entire detachment from North Caro- lina, and the request was refused, made by you of General Hunter's aid, to permit you to consolidate the returns of your command. Although in the midst of confusion, arising from the dis- embarkation of troops, as soon as General Hunter's order for a review was received, it was immediately promulgated to all of the troops on shore. 24 That requiring the names of some officers to be detailed, upon a commission, was answered within fifteen minutes after it was received. I know of no order received since we have been in this de- partment that was not immediately considered and promptly disposed of after its receipt at the office. In regard to your second inquiry, I would respectfully state, that since we arrived in South Carolina our official duties have brought us constantly together, and that your greatest desire was to bring about some adjustment of the differences between Generals Hunter and Foster ; frequently asserting that you was indifferent who you served under, so long as you served the country to the best advantage. I am, general, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) GEORGE H. JOHNSTON, Captain and A. D. C. Brig.-Gen. H. M. Naglee, Commanding Detachment 18th Corps. ORDER TRANSFERRING AMBULANCES OF THE 18th CORPS TO THE lOtk CORPS. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C, Feb. 25th, 1863. Special Orders ") No. 111. I II. First Lieut. Samuel G. Sewall, 11th Mo. Vols., is hereby relieved from duty as division ambulance officer, and will turn over his ambulances, horses, and other property to Captain Chas. Garretson, A. Q. M., Depot Q. M., Hilton Head, S. C, and report to his regimental commander for duty. By command of Major-Gen. D. Hunter. ISRAEL R. SEELY, First Lieut. 41th K Y. V., A. A. G. Brig.-Gen. Naglee. 25 Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C, Feb. 25th, 1863. Special Orders V No. 109. ) I. Two regiments of infantry will be selected by Brig.-Gen. Naglee, commanding U. S. Forces, St. Helena Island, from bis command, who will proceed immediately to Beaufort, S. C, and report for duty to tbe commanding officer of tbat post. Tbe cbief quartermaster of department will furnisb the necessary transportation for tbe prompt execution of tbis order. II. Tbe detacbment from Company C, 1st U. S. Artillery, will also proceed to Beaufort, S. C, where it will be attached to the battalion, 1st Artillery, there stationed. A commissioned officer will be sent with it, who will return to St. Helena after the detachment shall have reported to Captain Langdon, 1st U. S. Artillery, at Beaufort. By command of Major-Gen. Hunter. (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, Asst. Adjt.- General lQth Army Corps. REPORT OF SURGEON DERBY TO GEN. NAGLEE. St. Helena Island, March 3d, 1863. General : In compliance with your order, I have tbe honor to make the following statement relative to the want of fresh provisions at St. Helena Island: — On the 21st ultimo, in conversation with Dr. Crane, Medical Director, 10th Army Corps, I asked if anything could be done by him to obtain fresh beef and bread for the troops at St. Helena. He expressed surprise that they had not been furnished, and suggested that I should write him a letter on the subject. I did so at once. After reading the letter, he said, "I will submit this to General Hunter to-day." It was as follows: — . 26 "St. Helena Island, February 21, 1863. " Sir : It seems to be my duty to inform you that the troops now quartered on this island are exposed to disease from the •want of fresh provisions. It is now four weeks since they were put on shipboard, and during that period fresh beef and bread have been issued but once. " The quartermasters inform me that they can obtain none. Although no serious disease exists at present, I think you will agree with me that this fortunate exemption cannot be ex- pected to continue under the circumstances to which I have the honor to call your attention. "Very respectfully yours, "GEORGE DERBY, "Surgeon 23d Mass. Vols. " Surgeon C. H. Crane, "Medical Director.'" One ration of fresh beef was furnished to the troops at St. Helena, February 27th, 1863, a second ration of beef was furnished yesterday. No fresh bread has been issued. I will also state, that previous to February 27th no fresh provisions could be purchased from the post commissary at Hilton Head by commissioned officers from St. Helena, the answer being, "We have positive orders to sell nothing to you." Very respectfully yours, (Signed) GEORGE DERBY, Surgeon 23d Mass. Vols. Brig. -Gen. Naglee, Comd'g Detachment 18fA Army Corps. SECOND REPORT OF SURGEON DERBY TO GEN. NAGLEE. St. Helena Island, March 3d, 18C3. General: On the 27th ultimo I received the following order: — 27 (Copy.) Headquarters Detachment 18th Corps, St. Helena Island, S. C, February 27th, 1863. Special Orders *) No. 19. > In the absence of Surgeon Snelling, Surgeon Geo. Derby, 23d Mass. Vols., is hereby detailed as acting medical director of the detachment of the 18th Army Corps, now in South Carolina. By command of Brig. -Gen. Naglee, ComoVg Detachment l%th Army Corps. (Signed) GEORGE N. JOHNSTON, Captain and A. A. Cr. Having been previously appointed by Dr. Crane, Medical Director, 10th Army Corps, to act as chief medical officer of all the troops on St. Helena Island, with the exception of General Ferris's division, I called on Dr. Crane next morning, by your consent, to explain, unofficially, our new relations, and arrange with him the division of duties implied in the above order, which I understood from you to be based on instructions re- ceived from Washington, relative to the separation of men and materials, and the organization of detachment 18th Army Corps, as distinct from the 10th Army Corps, in which it had been previously merged. Dr. Crane expressed himself much surprised at such an order, said that there could be but one medical director in this department, and refused my request that he would turn over the medical sup- plies brought from Newbern, which were then and still are in possession of the medical purveyor at Hilton Head. Dr. Crane desired me to put in writing the instructions received from yourself relative to these supplies, and the necessity of keeping the affairs of the two departments entirely distinct. This I declined to do ; saying that our interview was unofficial, but that no secret was made of my instructions, and that I was perfectly willing to state them in that manner to any one who might be interested in the matter. He requested me to 28 do so to the assistant adjutant-general. I consented, and went with him to headquarters, and there showed the order to General Seymour, and explained to him, unofficially, what I had previously done to Dr. Crane. Very respectfully yours, (Signed) GEORGE DERBY, Surgeon 23d flfass. Vols. Brig.-Gen. Naglee, ComoVg Detachment V&th Army Corps. ORDER OF GEN. HUNTER REVOKING THE ABOVE ORDER, NO. 19, OF GEN. NAGLEE. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C, Feb. 28th, 1863. Brig.-Gen. Henry M. Naglee, Commanding U. S. Forces, St. Helena Island. General: Your Special Order No. 19 having been officially referred to these headquarters, by Surgeon C. H. Crane, IT. S. A. Medical Director, it is deemed proper to inform you that no corps organization is contemplated with respect to the detachment of the 18th Army Corps now in this department, and that after the removal of the detachment from St. Helena Island, you will, under present orders, only command your division, except in so far as military operations may cause present instructions to be modified by orders from these head- quarters. For these reasons the organization of the staif for such separate corps organization is unnecessary and will be revoked; and the organization of the troops on St. Helena Island will be as prescribed in Special Orders No. 11G of these headquarters, current series. By command of Maj.-Gen. Hunter. CHARLES G. HALPINE, A. A. G-. 10th Army Corps. 29 ORDER OF GEN. HUNTER LIMITING THE COMMAND OF GEN. NAGLEE. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C, Feb. 28th, 1863. Special Order) No. 116. > I. The infantry of the detachment of the 18th Army Corps, serving in this department, will be divided into two divisions, commanded by Generals Henry M. Naglee and Orris S. Ferry. Brigadier- General Thos. G. Stevenson is assigned to the command of a brigade in one of these divisions, which brigade will include the two regiments recently commanded by him, if they have not been otherwise disposed of; and Brigadier- General Naglee is charged with this assignment. II. All returns and reports hereafter will be by divisions, and will be forwarded through Brigadier- General Naglee, as commanding officer on St. Helena. The artillery detach- ments and companies will send their returns consolidated, through the senior officer of the 3d N. Y. Artillery, present on duty, and Brigadier-General Naglee, as a separate regi- mental organization, and that regiment will not be attached to any division. By command of Maj.-Gen. Hunter. CHAS. G. HALPINE, A. A. General. GEN. NAGLEE TO GEN. HUNTER. Headquarters Detachment 18th Corps, St. Helena Island, S. C, March 1st, 1863. Colonel: I would respectfully acknowledge the receipt of Special Order No. 116, and your communication, without date, which accompanied it. It is with profound regret that I find a determination to open the unfortunate difficulties that I had sincerely hoped 30 were settled by the Secretary of War; a contrary course diverts the necessary attention of all from the important prep- arations absolutely necessary for our success, and may cause delay, which, at this season of the year, may be most fatal. I had hoped that "with its own officers as assigned by its proper chief" the organization of the command from North Carolina would not have been disturbed, and that while cheer- fully responding to the "general orders and directions" of General Hunter, the management of my command in all other regards would have been left as indicated by General Fos- ter, General Hunter holding me only responsible for the full and faithful performance of every duty. To assist in the complicated and hazardous undertaking against Charleston, the most important of the war, General Foster brought an efficient staff, who had prepared all the material necessary with the greatest possible care, and who would have gladly assisted in its expenditure, but by Special Orders No. 97 this entire organization was broken up, and the gentlemen have all returned to North Carolina.* In my attempt to provide for their absence, and to appoint the necessary officers to carry out the purposes for which the troops were brought into this department, I am met with your especial instructions, which require me to revoke an order appointing a surgeon to act in the absence of the Medical Director brought here by General Foster, and advised "that no corps organization is contemplated with respect to the detachment of the 18th Army Corps, now in this department," in which we entirely agree; at the same time, you certainly will admit that I cannot conduct the business of the detach- ment which I command of 12,000 men, ("the organization of which, made by the President, General Halleck directs ' cannot be changed,'") without proper staff assistance, and this is the only object for which this and other similar ap- pointments were made. In regard to your directions, expressed in Special Orders No. 116, and to your instructions, without date, received at the same time, both depriving me of the command left by * See Appendix, No. 12. 31 General Foster, and limiting it hereafter to that of one divi- sion ; again referring to the directions of General Halleck, I will add nothing more than simply to assure you that no .trial to which I may now be subjected will drive me from the pur- pose of serving my country, for which I have come a long dis- tance, with great personal inconvenience and sacrifice. Considering it my duty, as required by the orders of Gen- eral Foster, who left me in charge of all that he brought from North Carolina, I hereby respectfully refer you to the directions of General Halleck to General Hunter, indicated in the letters of the loth and 16th ultimo, which require that the "distinct organization, both in men and material, will be retained, so that the corps can at any time be returned entire to its proper department, and that Greneral Hunter xoill re- scind so much of his order as consolidates it with the 10th Corps;" and I would respectfully request that you will ad- vise me of the intentions of General Hunter in regard to the above instructions, so far as they refer to the material, that I may report to General Foster in the premises, and that I may know whether the material brought by General Foster is sub- ject to his authority, represented by me. As now situated, I am compelled to report to him that — By the orders within referred to, the organization of the detachment of the 18th Army Corps is destroyed ; that — The Quartermaster of General Hunter's department holds all the transportation of the 18th Corps, and none of it is under my orders or control, (except the steamer "Secor;") that — The Medical Director of General Hunter's department holds all the medical stores, and refuses to turn them over to the Acting Medical Director of the detachment, and you ordered me to revoke his appointment; that — The ^ ommissary stores sent from North Carolina, expressly for the detachment of the 18th Corps, are afloat, and I am ordered not to appoint a commissary of the detachment to receive them; all of which is in direct collision with my orders from General Foster, and do not harmonize with the directions of the President, that u the organization, men and material, " should not be disturbed. 32 Being second in command only to General Hunter, and the senior officer commanding the forces from North Carolina, acting always under the general orders and directions of General Hunter, I had hoped that I would have been per- mitted, without unnecessary restraint, to so command the forces left under my command as the more effectually to in- sure the great objects of the Government for which we have been brought together. In conclusion, colonel, assure the general for me that on again entering my protest, I mean no disrespect, but am guided only by a solemn duty, which my position as the senior officer commanding the detachment of the 18th Corps, and my own self-respect, demand of me. I shall pass over in silence the indications conveyed by the instructions and orders referred to, and in the necessities of our common country smother the feelings that under no other circumstances would I attempt to control. Assure the general that, regardless of all feeling in the movements now contemplated, I will serve in any capacity in which he may place me. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig.-Gren. Commanding. Lieut.-Col. Chas. G. Halpine, A. A. G-en. 10th Corps. See Appendix, Nos. 8 to 31, inclusive. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C, March 5th, 1863. Special Orders \ No. 127. > | Brigadier-General Henry M. Naglee having sent a third insubordinate protest, much more objectionable than the first, to these headquarters, his first having been disapproved by the Honorable Secretary of War, who in consequence directed that he be relieved from jduty in this department, afterward leaving it optional with the commanding general to relieve or 33 retain him, the commanding general, after very mature re- flection, and with a solemn sense of his responsibilities to his country, sincerely believes that the harmony of the depart- ment and the best interests of the service require that Gen- eral Naglee should be relieved from duty. The said Brig- adier-General Henry M. Naglee is therefore hereby relieved from duty in the Department of the South; and Brigadier- General Orris S. Ferry will immediately assume command of all the U. S. forces on St. Helena Island. Brigadier- General Henry M. Naglee will proceed to the City of New York by the first steamer, and report by letter to the Adjutant-General of the army. By command of Maj.-Gen. Hunter. CHARLES G. HALPINE, A. A. Gren. 10th Army Corps. GEN. FOSTER TO GEN. THOMAS. Headquarters 18th Army Corps, Newbern, March 2d, 1863. Brig.-Gen. L. Thomas, Adjt.-Cfen. U. S. A., Washington, D. C. General: In transmitting the correspondence forwarded by General Naglee, at his request, I consider it necessary to add a few statements of facts and explanations, in order that the main points of this correspondence may be more fully understood. 1st. With regard to my presence in South Carolina, at the head of a large force of my command, of which General Hunter, in his letter to General Naglee, dated Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C, February 12th, thus speaks : " Knowing that General Foster had not origin- ally been ordered to accompany the reinforcements brought down by you, but has come here on, my invitation, as an officer well acquainted with Charleston harbor, and therefore likely 3 u to be of much service by his suggestions, and the interest he would feel in the operation, I confess that I regarded him rather as a guest than as a subordinate," etc., I have to say that this understanding of my position is not in accordance with my own, and, if I correctly understand my instructions, not in accordance with the wishes of the Government. It having been decided to use the force that had been ac- cumulated under my command for the purpose of reducing the forts in an important locality in this department ; first, in aiding in an attack upon a fortified city in South Carolina, General Hunter, commanding the Department of South Caro- lina, then serving on a court-martial in Washington, D. C, was sent for, and the instructions for the guidance of General Hunter and myself were given to us verbally by General Hal- leck, in the presence of the President and Secretary of War. If I understood them correctly, they were to this effect : General Hunter to return to South Carolina, and to have command; I to complete the organization of the expedition from North Carolina, in all the necessaries for a siege, and for landing the force on a hostile coast, and to sail with it for Hilton Head, S. C. I was to have immediate command of the operating force, provided my presence was not required to meet any threatened attack from the enemy in North Carolina ; at any rate, while I could be spared from my duties in North Carolina, I was to operate in the expected attack, being in the immediate command of the operating force under General Hunter's general orders, as senior officer. This arrangement was in accordance with General Hunter's expressed wishes, uttered at this time. The Honorable Secre- tary of War also made use of language, expressing his kind and earnest desire that I should be in immediate command of the expedition, as I possessed intimate knowledge of the localities and defenses of Charleston, having been taken prisoner at Fort Sumter, April 14, 1861. With this understanding I sailed from Beaufort, on the 31st January, with the last of the fleet containing the force ar- ranged for the expedition,. and which comprised some of the best troops of the 18th Army Corps. 35 Arriving in Port Royal harbor, I at once reported to Gen- eral Hunter, calling upon him officially for that purpose, with my whole staff, and stated to him that finding that I could leave North Carolina with safety, I had come down to com- mand the force at least until they were landed. I could not make a minute return of my force, inasmuch as it was on shipboard, and not all arrived, but I stated the aggregate of infantry and artillery, with the exact number and calibre of guns, rounds of ammunition, etc. Finding that some delays would occur before the commencement of the attack, I ac- companied General Hunter to Fort Pulaski, and continued my reconnoissance to Warsaw Sound, Ossibarr Sound, and the Ogeeche River, General Hunter preferring to remain at Fort Pulaski, but permitting his chief of staff, Brigadier-General Seymour, to accompany me. Returning to Fort Pulaski, General Hunter came on board, and all returned to Port Royal. Before leaving the boat, the "John Farron," I thought it best to have some definite understanding with Gen- eral Hunter, and therefore asked him if he recollected the circumstances attending the meeting of the President, Secre- tary of War, and General Halleck, at the time we received our instructions. He answered in the affirmative. I then said, do you remember that the Secretary of War was pleased to say that he desired me to have immediate command ? He answered in the affirmative. I then said, you were also pleased to say that you would like to have me come down, and that you would give me the command of the operating force. He assented. I then asked him, do you now wish it ? He replied in the affirmative. I then told him, at once, that I accepted the command and responsibility, and would go ahead and make all the necessary preparations. I added that any order he, General Hunter, chose to give me would be carried out with pleasure. This settled in my own mind all doubt about any miscon- ception, and I immediately proceeded to reconnoiter Charles- ton and its environs, for the purpose of choosing the point of the attack. Upon my return, I went on shore to report progress to 36 General Hunter, but could not find him. As the attack could not be made by the naval forces, with full preparation, before two weeks time, I had arranged to run up to North Carolina for a few days, to see that everything was right, and to bring down more heavy guns and ammunition from Fortress Monroe. Being obliged to leave early next morning, to take advantage of the tide and wind, I directed Generals Naglee and Potter (chief of staff) to go on shore at early dawn, and make for me a full report of progress, etc. Up to the time of leaving South Carolina, General Hunter gave me no sign to indicate that he misconstrued my official position, or that he designed to take any action prejudicial to my command. I had striven with the utmost sincerity to pro- mote good feeling and cordial co-operation, and entered with great zeal into the work of preparation for the proposed attack. My whole force shared my interest and determination, and we were fully prepared to land and commence the attack on the day of the last of the vessels entering the harbor of Port Royal. As soon as I had left the " Spaulding," as above stated, the orders on file, in the accompanying papers, were issued by General Hunter, terminating in the absorption of the detachment of the 18th Army Corps into the 10th Corps, and in an order directing my staff to quit the Department of the South. I submit the above as a simple statement of facts, with no remarks. I remain, general, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) J. G. FOSTER, Major- G-en. Commanding. GEN. NAGLEE'S LETTEE OF TRANSMITTAL OF THE WITHIN TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL. Headquarters, Newbern, N. C, April 30th, 1863. Colonel : I would respectfully file with the adjutant-gen- eral the accompanying document, comprising fifty-eight com- 37 munications, numbered from one (1) to fifty-one (51) inclusive, and referring to matters at issue between Major-Generals Hunter and Foster and myself. I would respectfully request the action of the department, approving or disapproving of my communication to General Hunter,* and also approving or disapproving Special Order No. 127, (see page 32,) and attached hereunto, ordering me to New York. General Halleck, in his letter to General Hunter of 16th of February, a copy of which is hereunto attached, in the closing paragraph, is pleased to order, that " General Naglee's protest to you, (General Hunter,) being disapproved, the Secretary of War has directed that he be relieved from duty in your (General Hunter's) department," and would respectfully refer to General Hunter's letter to General Naglee, attached, in which it will be seen that "General Hunter's emphatic statement, made and repeated to General Halleck in every letter to which the con- troversy regarding the status and command of the reinforce- ments from North Carolina has given rise, to the effect, that your (General Naglee's) conduct in the matter had been blameless, in General Hunter's judgment, and that you (General Naglee) had only done your duty in bringing before these headquarters, on General Hunter's assumption of command, instructions from your former commanding officer, which set up in his be- half a claim to retain independent command of the reinforce- ments ordered by the Government to General Hunter's de- partment. " Such being the facts of the case, it must be unnecessary to add that General Hunter uses the discretion given him by Major-General Halleck to retain your services in this depart- ment." It may not be out of place to call attention to the fact, that the above was written by General Hunter on the 27th of February, five days after his receipt of the orders of the War Department, requiring him " to rescind so much of his order as consolidates the forces of General Foster in the 10th Corps, and assuming command of them." * Page 29, letter from Gen. Naglee to Gen. Hunter. 38 Again, in the letter of General Halleck to General Foster of the 16th February, the former was pleased to order, that "as the course pursued by General Naglee, in objecting to furnish his superior officer with proper returns, and the spirit of his protest, are disapproved, the Secretary of War directs that you relieve him from further duty in the Department of the South." With respect to the first accusation, I would refer to the letter of Captain George H. Johnston, Assistant Adjutant- General ; and also to that to Colonel Halpine, Assistant Ad- jutant-General, by which it will be seen that all returns and information required by General Hunter were immediately furnished, and without objection, by General Naglee. In re- gard to the disapproval of the spirit of my protest, I feel fully satisfied that when the subject can be revised, with all the information herein furnished, the department will be led to a different conclusion. I would respectfully request to be furnished with copies of communications connected with the above, and made by Gen- eral Hunter directly to the War Department, or with the com- mander-in-chief, and which may have influenced the decision of the Secretary of War, that I may be in possession of all the correspondence upon the subject. In conclusion, let me remind the Government, that by con- stant labor, and under the hard trials of the peninsula, my old brigade and myself had become known and identified with each other, and their services and my services would be much more valuable to the Government united than separated. Very respectfully, etc., HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig. -General. Col. E. D. Townsend, A. A. G-en., Washington, D. C. APPENDIX. No. 1. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C., Feb. 9th, 1863. Brig. -Gen. Henry M. Naglee, Commanding Division, St. Helena Island. General : I am instructed by the major-general commanding to inform yon that having to make up our department return to- morrow, it will be necessary for you to send us a return of the forces under your command at your earliest convenience. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) CHARLES G. HALPINE, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. 10th Corps. No. 2. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C, Feb. 10th, 1863. Brig. -Gen. Naglee, Commanding U. S. Forces, St. Helena Island, S. C. General : I am instructed by the major-general commanding to acquaint yoa that, if the weather to-morrow be suitable, he will review your command at 12 w. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. 10th Army Corps. (39) 40 No. 3. Headquarters Department of the South. Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C, Feb. 10th, 1863. Brig. -Gen. Henry M. Naglee, Commanding U. S. Forces, St. Helena Island, S. C. General : The major-general commanding being about to ap- point a board of examination for such officers of volunteers as may be reported incompetent or inefficient, would thank you to name some colonel of your command as a fit member for such a board. As the board will be constituted whenever your reply is received, your earliest attention to the matter is respectfully re- quested. Yery respectfully, general, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. 10th Army Corps. No. 4. Headquarters Detachment 18th Army Corps, Harbor of Beaufort, S. C, 6 o'clock p.m., Feb. 10th, 1863. Colonel : In reply to your request, received some fifteen minutes since, I would respectfully inclose the roster of the names of the colonels of my division, and of others, so far as they are known to me ; at the same time, in the absence of any order from the War Department, transferring the troops of the department of General Foster to that of General Hunter, or of any order of General Hunter assuming the command thereof, I would respect- fully protest against the request of General Hunter, it being in direct violation of the written and verbal orders of General Fos- ter to me, which I am preparing to transmit to you. Yery respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brigadier- General. Lieut. -Col. Chas. G. Halpine, A. A. G. 10th Army Corps. 41 No. 5. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C, Feb. 10th, 1863. Brig. -Gen. Naglee, Commanding U. S. Forces, St. Helena Island, S. C. General : I am instructed by the major-general commanding to request that you furnish for his information a copy of the orders under which you embarked for this department ; together with a copy of General Foster's order turning over the command to you on his leaving here this morning on the steamer " Spalding" for the North. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, general, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) CHARLES G. HALPINE, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. 10th Army Corps. No. 6. Headquarters Detachment 18th Army Corps, "Secor," near St. Helena Island, S. C, 7 a.m., Feb. 11th, 1863. Colonel : I would respectfully inclose a copy of an order of General Foster, commanding the 18th Army Corps, of Feb. 7th. I will send a copy of the order for disembarkation as soon as it can be procured ; mine was destroyed by water when my desk fell overboard at Hatteras Inlet. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig. -Gen. Commanding Detachment. Lieut.-Col. Chas. G. Halpine, A. A. G. 10th Corps. (See page 3.) No. 7. Headquarters Detachment 10th Army Corps, St. Helena Island, Feb. 15th, 1863. Colonel : I would respectfully call your attention to Order No. 13, which would seem not to include the 24th Massachusetts 42 and 10th Connecticut, under General T. G. Stevenson, and being part of his brigade, nor Company " C" of the 1st U. S. Artillery, nor Companies "A," "B," " C," "D," "E," " F," "I," and "K," of the 3d N. Y. Artillery, under the command of Brigadier-Gen- eral Ledlie, chief of artillery. Your order requires the "chief quartermasters of divisions to turn over all marine transportation brought down." The marine transportation was brought clown by the chief quartermaster of the 18th Corps, and not by the chief quartermasters of divisions. The ordnance and ordnance stores were brought down by the ordnance officer of the 18th Corps, and the medical stores by the medical director of that corps. The commissary stores, on the contrary, were placed upon the several vessels and receipted for by regimental commissaries on board, who were to make the issues. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig. -Gen. Commanding. Lieut. -Col. Chas. G. Halpine, A. A. G. 10th Army Corps. Indorsements made by General Seymour. Respectfully returned to Brigadier-General Naglee. — By Gen- eral Orders No. 13, Headquarters Department of the South, Major- General Hunter assumes command of the reinforcements from North Carolina, and no exception is made. By that same order, Brigadier-General Naglee is directed to assume command, as senior officer, of all the TJ. S. forces on St. Helena Island, with a single exception. By letter from these headquarters, of February 14th, you are clearly ordered to "cause the transportation" referred to in this communication to be turned over to Lieutenant-Colonel Elwell, chief quartermaster of this department. You are expected to have this order carried out without delay, and you are further directed to cause the ordnance stores, in charge of the chief ordnance officer, accompanying these reinforce- ments, and the medical stores in charge of the chief medical offi- cer, to be reported to the chief of ordnance, and to the medical director of this department. For this purpose, if you have not 43 so done, you will assume command over the chief officers of the department of staff herein named. By order of Ma j. -Gen. Hunter. • ' (Signed) T. SEYMOUR, Brig. - General, Chief of Staff. No. 8. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C, Feb. 17th, 1863. Brig. -Gen. H. M. Naglee, Commanding U. S. Forces, St. Helena Island. General : I am instructed by the general commanding, to call upon you to report immediately by the bearer of this letter, by whose authority the steamer " Cahawba" left this port for the North last week, said steamer having left clandestinely without my knowledge or consent. If the " Cahawba" left by your own authority, you will please report the fact by bearer; bat if by the authority, or on the order of any other officer whatever, you will immediately place such officer in arrest, and cause him to report to these headquarters in person. I have the honor to be, general, Very respectfully, etc. etc., (Signed) CHARLES G. HALPINE, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. 10th Army Corps. No. 9. Headquarters Detachment 10th Army Corps, St. Helena Island, Feb. 17th, 1863. Colonel : Before General Hunter assumed command of the forces from North Carolina, about the 7th ihst., the captain of the " Cahawba," on which vessel I came from North Carolina, re- ported to me that his vessel required overhauling, which he sug- gested should be done in New York ; at the same time assured me that the vessel should make the trip and return to Hilton Head 44 with Government stores within two weeks, and before she would be required for any service here ; I reported this to General Pot- ter and Captain Slaight, and at the same time I requested them to consider the propriety of discharging the "ship Morton," and thus save to the Government over a thousand dollars per day. Captain Slaight acted at once upon the suggestion, but the "Cahawba" did not get ready to sail until the 10th or 11th inst., and her voyage was so far modified as to require her to touch at Beaufort, North Carolina, with a copy of your order, assuming command, which was sent to General Foster. "Very respectfully, (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig. -Gen. Commanding. Lieut.-Col. Chas. G. Halpine, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. 10th Army Corps. No. 10. Headquarters Detachment 10th Army Corps, St. Helena Island, S. C, Feb. 17th, 1863. Colonel : I would respectfully report that your order in regard to the marine transportation has been complied with, and Cap- tain Slaight went forthwith to turn over the transportation to Colonel Elwell. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig.- Gen. Commanding. Col. Chas. G. Halpine, A. A. G. 10th Army Corps. No. U. Hilton Head, S. C.Feb. 21st, 1863. Lieut. -Col. J. J. Elwell, Chief Quartermaster 10th A. C. Colonel: On the 17th inst., when at Beaufort, S. C, whither I had gone for the purpose of landing my horses, (they having been on my boat over four weeks,) I received a line from you, 45 stating that it was the order of Major- General Hunter that I should come and see him immediately, he wanted a personal in- terview with me; as soon thereupon as I could complete the arrangements for my horses, I came to this place, and was in the act of calling on the general, when I was put under arrest ; I am entirely in the dark as to the cause. I am, however, conscious of doing nothing intentionally that would in any way incur the dis- pleasure of the general, and am well persuaded in my own mind that some misunderstanding exists, which I can easily explain away. It has been my greatest ambition to so deport myself in my official character, that I might earn the favor and good opinion of my superiors in office, and I verily believe if the commanding general will honor me with an interview, I can satisfy him that to do wrong in my office has been farthest to the thought, and that if I have committed any error, I am totally unconscious of it. If I have by any misapprehension done anything censurable, or rendering myself liable to arrest, I am not only sorry, but say anxious to make the amende honorable. I am, Colonel, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) JAMES C. SLAIGHT, Capt. and A. Q. M. No. 12. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Feb. 19th, 1863. Special Order) No. 97. i Two members of General Foster's staff, now sojourning within the limits of this department, having been engaged in sending North a steamer belonging to this command and necessary for the operations about to commence, such steamer being sent away clandestinely, and without the knowledge, consent, or order of the major-general commanding, and it being found that many, if not all the members of General Foster's staff, have indulged in state- ments and remarks of a character tending to create disaffection, insubordination, and mutiny, it is hereby ordered that all the members of the staff of Major- General J. G. Foster, command- ing the Department of North Carolina, now within the limits of 46 the Department of the South, shall quit this department by the first steamer going North. By command of Maj.-Gen. Hunter. (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, A. A. Gen. 10th Army Corps. No. 13. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C, Feb. 16th, 1863. Special Order > No. 86. ) Brigadier-General Thos. G. Stevenson, having stated publicly in the custom-house of Port Royal, Hilton Head Island, that he would rather be beaten than co-operate with a certain class of troops authorized by the Government, he is hereby placed in arrest, and ordered to report immediately in arrest, to the post commander, Hilton Head, where he will remain until the pleasure of the President on his case can be made known. By command of Maj.-Gen. Hunter. (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, A. A. G. 10th Army Corps. No. 14. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C, Feb. 26th, 1863. Special Order No. 112. I. Captain J. C. Slaght, Assistant Quartermaster, is hereby released from arrest, and will return to the Department of North Carolina, in accordance with general instructions already given. By command of Major-Gen. Hunter. (Signed) ISRAEL R. SEELY, 1st Lieut. 41th N. Y. V., A. A. A.-Gen. 47 No. 15. Headqtjarteks Detachment 10th Army Corps, St. Helena Island, Feb. 12th, 1863. Colonel: I would respectfully request that a ferry-boat be established to communicate from Hilton Head to St. Helena Island every hour. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig. -Gen. Commanding. Lieut. -Col. Charles G. Halpine, A. A. G. iOth Corps. No. 16. Headquarters Detachment 18th Corps, St. Helena Island, March 2d, 1863. Colonel: I would respectfully report that three of my regi- ments remained under arms for three hours on Saturday, waiting the inspecting officer, who could not come for want of transporta- tion. I would respectfully report, for three days our business has been thrown into confusion in consequence of the withdrawal of the ferry-boat, for some reason, of which we have had no notice, and that details waited from morning till night expecting the boat to arrive. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE. Lieut. -Col. Halpine, A. A. G. 10th Corps. Indorsements, etc., etc. Respectfully referred to Lieut.-Colonel Ellwell, Chief Quarter- master of the Department, for his information and immediate report. By command of Major-Gen. Hunter. (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, A. A. G. 10th Army Corps. Department of the South, March 2d. 48 Indorsement by Lieut.-Colonel Elwell. Office Chief Quartermaster, March 3d, 1863. I have the honor to report that the steamer "Wyoming" was placed under the orders of Captain Jackson, Inspector, on the 27th inst, in whose possession she still remains. I understand Captain Jackson's arrangements were somewhat interfered with by General Saxton for one day. The ferry-boat has been placed at the service of the general- inspector of steamers, as being more important duty. Very respectfully, etc. (Signed) J. J. ELWELL, Lieut.- Col. and A. Q. M. No. 17. Headquarters Detachment 18th Corps, St. Helena Island, S. C, March 2d, 1863. Colonel: I would respectfully report that Lieutenant Myers, attached by the Ordnance Department to the 18th Corps, and attached by General Foster to his staff, is still here. Am I to understand, under your Special Order No. 116, and the instruc- tions without date received with it, that Lieutenant Myers is no longer subject to my authority, as contemplated by the order of General Foster of February 7th, of which you have a copy ? Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig.- General. Lieut. -Col. Chas. G. Halpine, A. A. G. 10th Army Corps. Indorsement made by Chas. G. Halpine. Headquarters Department of the South, March 2d, 1863. Respectfully returned for General Naglee's report, on the ques- tion within raised. A copy of the order of the Ordnance Department, assigning Lieutenant Myers to duty, should have accompanied this state- 49 ment. If Lieutenant Myers be technically and practicably a mem- ber of General Foster's staff, he is here in violation of orders. If assigned by the Ordnance Department to duty with the reinforce- ments sent by the Government to this department, he will of course remain.. The major-general commanding requests that you will report immediately on this case ; and if, in your judgment, Lieutenant Myers be here in volation of orders, you will cause his immediate arrest, and direct him to report to these headquarters. By command of Major- Gen. Hunter. (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, A. A. G. 10th Army Corps. No. 18. St. Helena Island, S. C, March 4tli, I860. Captain Johnston. Sir: In compliance with the request that I should make a statement of the facts with regard to the circumstances of my re- maining here, I have the honor to submit the following : — 1st. I was ordered by General Ripley, Chief of Ordnance, to report to Major-General Foster, commanding 18th Army Corps, for duty. I was assigned to duty by him as ordnance officer to that corps. 2d. By reference to the inclosed order, dated February 22d, you will perceive that I am ordered to remain with the detach- ment of the 18th Army Corps now at this place. 3d. Captain Todd, of the Ordnance Department, desired that, as I was particularly acquainted with the kind and quantity of ordnance stores brought down, the manner of its storage, and the vessels in which it was placed, I should remain ; stating that he would have an interview with General Seymour, and arrange it to the satisfaction of all parties. I expressed not only a willingness, but a strong desire to render all the assistance possible in organizing the ordnance department of the expedition, and remained. (Signed) JASPER MYERS, Chief of Ordnance 18th Army Corps. Captain Johnston, DetachmH. A. A. G. 18th Army Corps. 4 50 No. 19. Port Royal Harbor, February 22d, 1863. Special Orders ) No. i Lieutenant Myers, Chief Ordnance Officer of the 18th Array- Corps, will remain with the detachment of that corps, now on St. Helena Island, and will report for duty as, chief of ordnance to Brigadier-General Naglee, commanding detachment. By command of Major-Gen. Foster. (Signed) EDWARD E. POTTER, Brig. -Gen., Chief of Staff. No. 20. Headquarters Department of tiie South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C, February 26th, 1863. General: You will please notify Captain Taylor and Lieu- tenant Fricker, signal officers on duty with the commander of St. Helena Island, that they will return to the Department of North Carolina. It is understood that Captain T. is chief signal officer of that department. • This measure is not to indicate the slightest dissatisfaction with these gentlemen, but in order that Lieutenant Taft, now chief of that corps in this department, may continue as senior signal officer, so to be. This by direction of Major-Gen. Hunter. Yery respectfully, Your obedient servant, T. SEYMOUR, Brig. -Gen., Chief of Staff. Brig. -Gen. Naglee, Commanding St. Helena Island. 51 No. 21. St. Helena Island, March 1st, 1863. General : I respectfully submit to you the following statement : On the 27th February, Captain Taylor, Chief Signal Officer, com- manding the detachment, attached to the 18th Army Corps, (De- partment of North Carolina,) aud Lieutenant Fricker, Signal Officer, were ordered out of the Department of the South ; the order stating that the only reason was the fact of their outranking the chief signal officer of the Department of the South. Captain Taylor, on leaving, left me the senior officer in command of the detachment, issued orders assigning the signal officers to the dif- ferent commanders of this detachment, 18th Army Corps, and ordered me to report to Lieutenant Tafft, Chief Signal Officer, Department of the South. On the 28th inst. I reported to Lieu- tenant Tafft, but he refused to receive my report, as I had no written order, and as he himself had received no instructions on the subject. I therefore, general, respectfully report to you for orders. Lieutenant Tafft made the assumption to me, that he had the right to transfer the signal party attached to your command to the Department of the South ; but I would respectfully represent to you that the signal officers of your command constitute part of a corps organized for the Department of North Carolina. They are now serving with a detachment of troops from that depart- ment, and it is their desire and wish, and they deem it their right, to serve with this detachment, and not to be turned over to the Department of the South, unless orders are received to that effect from the chief signal officer of the army. I am, general, very respectfully, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) CHAS. C. T. KEITH, Lieut, and Acting Signal Officer, Com'd'g Signal Party Detachment 18th Army Corps. Brig. -Gen. H. M. Naglee, Commanding Detachment 18th Army Corps. 52 No. 22, Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C., Feb. 25th, 1863. Special Orders | No. 111. i I. Captain H. E. Lord, C. S., is relieved from duty at Beaufort, S. C, and will turn over all subsistence stores and commissary property to First Lieutenant E. H. Brown, 4*1 th N. Y. Vols., A. C. S., Beaufort, S. C, and report to Brigadier-General H. M. Naglee, commanding U. S. Yols., St. Helena Island, S. C, as commissary for his division. By command of Ma j. -Gen. Hunter. (Signed) 1st Lieut. 41th N. Y. Vols., A. A. A. G. No. 23. Office of Chief Commissary, D. S., Hilton Head, S. C, February 28th, 186S. Lieut. -Col. Chas. G. Halpine, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. G. Colonel : I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a letter from Captain H. E. Lord, C. S. , who was directed to report to Brigadier-General H. M. Naglee, as commissary " for his divi- sion," by Special Orders No. Ill, Headquarters Department South, February 25th, 1863. I requested to have Captain Lord sent to General Naglee's, because I considered his services necessary, and because the major- general commanding had expressed his intentions to have all mat- ters for that command conducted by division. I request that Brigadier-General Naglee be instructed to re- ceive Captain Lord in the capacity mentioned in the special order above referred to. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) M. R. MORGAN, Lieut.- Col. and C. S. 10th Army Corps, Chief Com. Department South. 53 Indorsement made by Chas. G. Halpine. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C, Feb. 28th, 1863. Respectfully referred to General Naglee, who will please see that the instructions contained in Special Order No.. Ill, from these headquarters of 25th February, in the case of Captain Lord, are carried out without delay. By command of Maj.-Gen. Hunter. (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, A. A. Gen. 10th Army Corps. Indorsement made by Brig.-Gen. Naglee. After reading the circular in relation to subsistence issues of February 16th, which required that certain division commissaries should perform certain duties, I met Lieutenant-Colonel Morgan at Hilton Head, and endeavored to convince him that such an officer was entirely unnecessary — that is, was not recognized by authority of law, or by the Regulations of the Army. He re- plied that " the regulations and the constitution were played out, and that on the grounds of expediency any change could be made. " On the 28th of February, after the occurrence referred to him, by Captain Lord, going to Colonel Halpine's office, I was sur- prised at the report that had been made, and immediately went to the office of Colonel Morgan, who, at my request, sent for Cap- tain Lord, and required him to state the whole truth of what had occurred between him and I. Without a word from me, he added the circumstances and additional language used by me, and which, Colonel Morgan admittted, entirely changed the character of the complaint he had made. Nothwithstanding the above, Colonel Morgan took no means to withdraw the false statements made, charging me with dis- obedience of orders. All of which I would respectfully refer to General Hunter, and request that I may be informed of his action in the premises. (Signed) H. M. NAGLEE, March 2d, 1863. Brig. ■ General. Headquarters Detachment 18th Corps. 54 No. 24. Hilton Head, S. C, Feb. 28th, 1863. Colonel: I reported to Brigadier- General Naglee this after- noon, and .showed him my order to report. He replied that he did not wish a division commissary, but one to take the place of Colonel Darr, commissary over all his department. He was going to Hilton Head and would attend to it. I asked him if I should remain at St. Helena; he replied I might remain there or return. I then told him I would return to Hilton Head, and would call at Colonel Morgan's office, after he had seen General Hunter. I am, Colonel, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) HENRY E. LORD, Captain and C. S. V. Lieut. -Col. M. R. Morgan, Chief Commissary of Subsistence, Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C. Indorsement made by Gen. Naglee on the above. Any man who makes a statement, should tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Captain Lord has told the truth ; but in failing to tell the whole truth, is guilty of a willful falsehood. I did say what he asserts within ; but I further ordered him to prepare for his duties, which I desired should be conducted in a certain manner, and told him to go on with his duties as required, unless I procured a change of the order, making it to conform with the request I had made, and as within indicated. (Signed) H. M. NAGLEE, March 2d, 1863. Brig.- General. No. 25. Office Chief Quartermaster Department of the South, Hilton Head, February 24th, 1863. Col. Chas. G. Halpine, Asst. Adjt.-General. That there might be no delay in coaling the steamers of the Foster fleet, I asked a detail of sixty men, in gangs of twenty 55 each, to be made from the command of General Naglee, on the 22d instant. They have not yet reported. The request was sent to you through Lieutenant Seely. We are making large details constantly from our old regiments to coal their (the Foster) ves- sels, as well as for our own, and for other heavy work, both night and day. So hard do I work the details, and so often and large do I require them, that General Terry complains. It is no more than right, I respectfully submit, that General Naglee furnish men to coal his own transports. I am obliged also to complain that our tugs and steamers are constantly detained at the St. Helena dock when employed in transporting the stores of General Naglee's command, for the want of an adequate force to discharge and load the vessels. I am sorry to make this complaint, but I am putting forth every possible effort to coal and water the vessels, and to have every- thing in readiness for the expedition. We are making good progress at every point, except in the cases referred to. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) J. J. ELWELL, Lieut.- Col. and Chief Q. 31. Indorsement on the above. Respectfully referred to Brigadier-General Naglee, who will detail as many men as are required, say one full company, to be kept on fatigue duty at Seabrook, until relieved, coaling and watering the vessels brought down with General Naglee's troops. Colonel Elwell's suggestions as to details for fatigue duty to load and unload vessels on St. Helena River, are respectfully sub- mitted for General Naglee's consideration and action. By command of Maj.-Gen. Hunter. (Signed) CHAS. G. HALPINE, Feb. Uth, 1863. A. A. Gen. 10th Army Corps. Received, Headquarters Detachment 18th Army Corps, Feb. 26th, 1863. Indorsed on the above. Respectfully referred to Quartermaster Bishop, who will report forthwith. (Signed) NAGLEE, Feb. 21th, 1863. Brig.- Gen. 56 No. 26. Headquarters Detachment 18th Corps, St. Helena Island, Feb. 26th, 1863. Special Order > No. 17. j You will detail from your command one company (sixty men) to report immediately at Seabrook, to assist in coaling vessels belonging to this detachment. The company will remain there until further orders. They will report, with a copy of this order, to Lieutenant- Colonel Elwell, Chief Quartermaster, at Hilton Head. By command of Brig. -Gen. Naglee. GEORGE H. JOHNSTON, Capt., A. A. G. Acting Brig. -Gen. Davis, Com'd'g Second Brigade, Naglee's Division. Indorsement on the above. Quartermaster's Office, Feb. 25th, 1863. Captain : The chief quartermaster having referred the within copy of order to me, would respectfully state there must be some error in regard to the detail named. No detail from your com- mand is required at that point. It is evident the detail for coal- ing the steamers of the 18th Army, from schooners which are now in the charge of the quartermasters of the two divisions, has in some way been misunderstood, as meaning from Seabrook. Also allow me, in connection with this explanation, to say that the major-general commanding is very anxious for the coaling of the transports that will carry your corps. The same transports will be given you that brought your corps to this department, and the coaling and watering of which is now in charge of the respective quartermasters of the two divisions, and any impetus, by order or otherwise, given to the quartermasters for accomplishing the labor attending the work, I would thank you to give. Yery respectfully, Your obedient servant, INGHAM CORYELL, Capt. and A. Q. 31. Captain Johnston, A. A. Gen. 57 No. 27. Board Steamer Maple Leaf, Off St. Helena Island, S. C, Feb. 24th, 1863. Captain Gr. H. Johnston, A. A. Gen. Sir: As requested by General Naglee, I have the honor to report that I have procured an order from the Chief C. S. of Hilton Head for beef cattle, fresh bread, potatoes, and onions. They are all ready, (and have been for two days,) to be delivered except the bread, but I have been unable to procure transporta- tion for them from Hilton Head to St. Helena Island. Yery respectfully, sir, Your obedient servant, W. C. FARKINGTEX, Gapt. and C. S. No. 28. Headquarters Detachment 18th Army Corps, St. Helena Island, Feb. 28th, 1863. Captain: In reply to your communication from Lieutenant- Colonel Elwell, dated 23d, 24th, and 26th inst, stating that the required details for vessels had not been furnished, also complain- ing of inefficiency, or at least neglect of duty, in detaining tugs and steamers at St. Helena Island docks, by not unloading them promptly, I have the honor to report that details of men have, been on the dock constantly for days, and in one case a detail re- mained for three days endeavoring to report to Captain Coryell, as ordered. The only detail with which I have had any connec- tion was one of sixty (60) men and two (2) officers, which I found on the dock here, at 5 o'clock p.m., 26th inst., vainly attempting to report to Colonel Elwell, at Hilton Head, according to within orders in possession of the officers. Acting upon these orders, I took the steamer Oriole, and re- ported to Colonel Elwell with the detail, at Hilton Head, and was told that the detail was not ordered by Colonel Elwell, and that the men would not be needed. I am satisfied that all details 58 called for have been made, and that the fault, if fault there be, lies entirely at the door of the complainant. In regard to delay in unloading tugs, etc. at this wharf, I would state that I have repeatedly asked for a tug or boat to transport stores to this point, and that I have never yet been able to obtain the use of a boat for an hour, and I have never brought my stores upon any boat excepting the "Secor." I have brought bread, forage, etc. upon the " Secor," for want of any other transporta- tion, at times when it was very inconvenient for General Naglee to spare the boat for that purpose. As an instance, Captain Holmes, C. S., drew twenty head of beeves, and drove them to the wharf, at Hilton, and although repeated application was made for transportation to this point, it was not furnished, and until within the last three or four days no fresh beef has been issued to this command, simply for want of transportation from Hilton Head ; and the charge that boats have been delayed here, unnecessarily by me, is certainly unfounded ; and as far as I can learn, very few stores have been brought to this point by any boat but the " Secor." Perhaps it may not be improper for me to state that the " May- flower" was placed here as a ferry-boat, at the request of General Naglee, for the accommodation of this command ; running hours were fixed by General Naglee, and were altered by Colonel El- well, thereby creating confusion, and, possibly, the very delay complained of. The " Mayflower" was run as a ferry-boat for a few days very irregularly, and was then taken away altogether, since which time no regular reliable ferry has run to this point. It is of course impossible for details to report to Colonel Elwell promptly under the present existing confused manner of running the ferry-boats. All of which is respectfully submitted. I am, captain, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) E. S. BISHOP, Lieut, and A. A. Q. 31. , Naglee's Division. Captain Geo. H. Johnston, A. A. G. Detachment l§th Army Corps. Indorsement made by Brig.-Gen. Naglee. In answer to communication of Lieutenant-Colonel Elwell, I would respectfully refer to the within, and will add that, more than 59 one week ago, I earnestly requested that the pile-driver should be worked for two or three days longer, which, as the wharf ap- proached deep water, would have been of great advantage ; at the same time I made a request that plank should be furnished to render serviceable the wharf then built. The use of the pile- driver was denied, but it was taken down, and laid upon the wharf for four days before it was removed, and the planks have never been sent. Now, colonel, relying on your excellent judgment and nice dis- crimination, I am most happy to leave you to judge, whether the gross inefficiency, which certainly does exist, is chargeable to Lieutenant-Colonel Elwell or myself. (Signed) H. M. X A GLEE, Brig. -General. No. 29. Headquarters Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C, March 7th, 1863. Special Orders) No. 133. > Brigadier-General James H. Ledlie, Chief of Artillery to Major- General Foster, is included in the operation of Special Order No. 97, current series, from these headquarters, and is relieved from duty in this department. He will proceed to North Carolina by the first opportunity. By command of Major-Gen. Hunter. CHAS. G. HALPINE, A. A. Gen. 10th Corps. No. 30. St. Helena Island, S. C, March 8th, 1863. Colonel : Will you please designate an hour when I may call with my staff upon General Hunter ? Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brig. -General. LlELT.-CoL. HALPINE, A.A.G. 10th Corps. 60 No. 31. Headquarters Department of the South, March 9th, 1863. Brig. -Gen. Henry M. Naglee, St. Helena Island, S. C. I regret to be obliged to inform you that I am instructed by Major-General Hunter to state that, in consequence of previous engagements, not known to me yesterday, he will be unable to re- ceive you and your staff, at 12 m. to-day, as verbally agreed between Captain Johnston, A. A. G., and myself. I have the honor to be, general, Your most obedient servant, CHARLES G. HALPINE, A. A. G. 10th Corps. UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00032727238 FOR USE ONLY IN THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION "■-* * • — r-T ~