On November 8th, 1861 Brigadier-General T. W. Sherman writes to Washington on his accounts of the take over of Port Royal and his Proclamation to the citizens of South Carolina. As we all know Sherman becomes one of the most well known Generals serving the U.S. Army during the Civil War. In his first report to Washington Sherman is proud to report that they have taken over the port and key forts. He begins his letter in an explanation of the delay, reporting that the fleet was unable to embark due to weather until the 29th of October. Due to perilous storms and wind, the fleet did not reach Port Royal until November 4th with the ships Union, Belvidere, Osceola, Peerless unaccounted for, of which he states two are known to be lost.
After a reconnaissance of the port Sherman states that a sea assault on the forts of Hilton Head and two on Phillips Island was the best strategy in the take over of the forts and port. However due to the poor condition of the fleet from the previous storms that already once delayed the time schedule of the U.S. Fleet Sherman assessed it be best to postpone the attack until the 7th. Sherman also say's that the strength of the rebels seems strong of which they are in the command of General Drayton. However due to the formidable batteries and assaults of the U.S. Army and there perceive tactics both on land and sea they decimated the confederates forcing them to flee south. On first arrival of Hampton Head and quick assertion of the land acquired he is inclined to state there is a profound amount of ordinances left by the confederates in which he will write back specifics.
General Sherman gives the Proclamation in orders of President Lincoln to the citizens of South Carolina. He states that he has landed on the land with federal troops in no attention to hurt feeling of personal animosity, or to harm the citizens , destroy property, or tamper with lawful rights and institutions. He gives his personal condolences and dictates that after the bloodshed that has occurred within their own state of South Carolina and the U.S. that a stop to the rebels should be made and they will suppress any armed rebellions against the government.
On the 11th of November Sherman writes his report to Washington from the fort of Hampton Head giving an addition and update to the report In which he wrote on the 8th after the initial engagement at Port Royal. After a final count of pieces of weaponry found it amounted to fifty-two. In which the larger portion is of the highest caliber available. This is a profound increase for the U.S. army in the obtainment of more equipment and ammunition. All awhile an inventory of all public property capture is being accounted for and will be reported later by Sherman. A former surgeon of the U.S. Army was found at Hampton Head who was killed was learned to be the prominent surgeon of the fort. Sherman says that the victory of the battle is "startling". He states that after the victory every white inhabitant has fled the islands. He comments on the beauty of there massive plantations and houses which have been left for the pillage of there former black slaves. He goes on to tell that the unloading of the once lost ships has begun of which will be difficult due to the shallow shore's but plans to make this port one of the strongest on the coast and a powerhouse against the rebels.
Source: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 6 (Page 3-6) http://digital.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=moawar;cc=moawar;rgn=full%20text;idno=waro0006;didno=waro0006;view=image;seq=18;node=waro0006%3A3;page=root;size=100
No comments:
Post a Comment