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s the number and quality of my force permit。
On the 2d I arrived here from Charleston； whither； as I stated in my dispatch of the 29th of December； I had gone in consequence of information from the senior officer there that the rebels contemplated issuing from the harbor； and his request for my presence。 Having placed a force there of seven monitors； sufficient to meet each an emergency； and not perceiving any sign of the expected raid； I returned to Savannah； to keep in communication with General Sherman and be ready to render any assistance that might be desired。 General Sherman has fully informed me of his plans； and； so far as my means permit； they shall not lack assistance by water。
On the 3d the transfer of the right wing to Beaufort was began； and the only suitable vessel I had at hand （the Harvest Moon） was sent to Thunderbolt to receive the first embarkation。 This took place about 3 p。m。； and was witnessed by General Sherman and General Bernard （United States Engineers） and myself。 The Pontiac is ordered around to assist； and the army transports also followed the first move by the Harvest Moon。
I could not help remarking the unbroken silence that prevailed in the large array of troops； not a voice was to be heard； as they gathered in masses on the bluff to look at the vessels。 The notes of a solitary bugle alone came from their midst。
General Barnard made a brief visit to one of the rebel works （Cansten's Bluff） that dominated this water…course…the best approach of the kind to Savannah。
I am collecting data that will fully exhibit to the Department the powerful character of the defenses of the city and its approaches。 General Sherman will not retain the extended limits they embrace。 but will contract the line very much。
General Foster still holds the position near the Tullifinny。 With his concurrence I have detached the fleet brigade； and the men belonging to it have returned to their vessels。 The excellent service performed by this detachment has fully realized my wishes； and exemplified the efficiency of the organizationinfantry and light artillery handled as skirmishers。 The howitzers were always landed as quickly as the men； and were brought into action before the light pieces of the land…serviee could be got ashore。
I regret very much that the reduced complements of the vessels prevent me from maintaining the force in constant organization。 With three hundred more marines and five hundred seamen I could frequently operate to great advantage； at the present time； when the attention of the rebels is so engrossed by General Sherman。
It is said that they have a force at Hardeeville； the pickets of which were retained on the Union Causeway until a few days since； when some of our troops crossed the river and pushed them back。 Concurrently with this； I caused the Sonoma to anchor so as to sweep the ground in the direction of the causeway。
The transfer of the right…wing （thirty thousand men） to Beaufort will so imperil the rebel force at Hardeeville that it will be cut off or dispersed； if not moved in season。
Meanwhile I will send the Dai…Ching to St。 Helena； to meet any want that may arise in that quarter； while the Mingo and Pontiac will be ready to act from Broad River。
The general route of the army will be northward； but the exact direction must be decided more or less by circumstances which it may not be possible to foresee。。。。
My cooperation will be confined to assistance in attacking Charleston； or in establishing communication at Georgetown； in case the army pushes on without attacking Charleston； and time alone will show which of these will eventuate。
The weather of the winter first； and the condition of the ground in spring； would permit little advantage to be derived from the presence of the army at Richmond until the middle of May。 So that General Sherman has no reason to move in haste； but can choose such objects as he prefers； and take as much time as their attainment may demand。 The Department will learn the objects in view of General Sherman more precisely from a letter addressed by him to General Halleck； which he read to me a few days since。
I have the honor to be； very respectfully； your obedient servant；
J。 A。 DAHLGREN； Rear…Admiral； commanding South…Atlantic Blockading；Squadron。
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI； IN THE FIELD； POCOTALIGO； SOUTH CAROLINA； January 29； 1885。
Major…General J。 G。 FOSTER； commanding Department of the South。
GENERAL： I have just received dispatches from General Grant； stating that Schofield's corps （the Twenty…third）； twenty…one thousand strong； is ordered east from Tennessee； and will ‘be sent to Beaufort； North Carolina。 That is well； I want that force to secure a point on the railroad about Goldsboro'； and then to build the railroad out to that point。 If Goldsboro' be too strong to carry by a rapid movement； then a point near the Neuse； south of Goldsboro'； will answer； but the bridge and position about Kinston； should be held and fortified strong。 The movement should be masked by the troops already at Newbern。 Please notify General Palmer that these troops are coming； and to be prepared to receive them。 Major…General Schofield will command in person； and is admirably adapted for the work。 If it is possible； I want him to secure Goldsboro'； with the railroad back to Morehead City and Wilmington。 As soon as General Schofield reaches Fort Macon； have him to meet some one of your staff； to explain in full the details of the situation of affairs with me； and you can give him the chief command of all troops at Cape Fear and in North Carolina。 If he finds the enemy has all turned south against me； he need not follow； but turn his attention against Raleigh； if he can secure Goldsboro' and Wilmington； it will be as much as I expect before I have passed the Santee。 Send him all detachments of men that have come to join my army。 They can be so organized and officered as to be efficient； for they are nearly all old soldiers who have been detached or on furlough。 Until I pass the Santee； you can better use these detachments at Bull's Bay； Georgetown； etc。
I will instruct General McCallum； of the Railroad Department； to take his men up to Beaufort； North Carolina； and employ them on the road out。 I do not know that he can use them on any road here。 I did instruct him； while awaiting information from North Carolina； to have them build a good trestle…bridge across Port Royal ferry； but I now suppose the pontoon…bridge will do。 If you move the pontoons； be sure to make a good road out to Garden's Corners； and mark it with sign…boardsobstructing the old road； so that； should I send back any detachments； they would not be misled。
I prefer that Hatch's force should not be materially weakened until I am near Columbia； when you may be governed by the situation of affairs about Charleston。 If you can break the railroad between this and Charleston； then this force could be reduced。
I am； with respect； etc。；
W。 T。 SHERMAN； Major…General commanding。
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI； IN THE FIELD； POCOTALIGO； SOUTH CAROLINA； January 18； 1865。
Hon。 EDWIN M。 STANT