| Headquarters Military District of Florida |
| Camp Milton |
| April 13, 1864 |
| |
| Colonel Tabb |
| Commanding, &c. |
| Waldo |
| |
| Colonel, |
| The movements of the enemy
at Jacksonville
indicate a purpose on his part to make a raid upon some of our
communications or depots of supply. It is believed that his designs
are upon the Florida Railroad and the depots in Marion, Sumter, and
Alachua
Counties, which he supposes to contain a considerable amount of stores. It
will be your province to defeat him in this object in every manner
possible with the means at your control. For this purpose, in
addition to the regiment and battalion of infantry and the section
of artillery with the Fourth Georgia Cavalry, now with you, the
major-general commanding has ordered to you another section of
Gamble's artillery, 250 cavalry, and two battalions of infantry. The
artillery and cavalry are now en route for your headquarters,
and the infantry will be sent by rail to Waldo {on
the Florida RR}, as soon as the
transportation for that purpose can be obtained. With this force it
is believed you cannot only foil the enemy in his purposes, but by
activity, energy, and skill, can punish him severely for his
temerity, if not capture or destroy the most of his party. His plans
and purposes not having been fully developed it is not deemed
advisable to give you specific instructions as to your movements and
disposition of forces. It is supposed that you will keep yourself
fully advised of the enemy's movements in your front and on your
flanks. To do this your vedettes, pickets, and scouts must be
vigilant and active. Your good judgment will enable you to act
intelligently upon information thus obtained, keeping constantly in
view the main object, viz, to defeat the raid and punish as severely
as possible its projectors. It is possible that the force at Palatka
may move out in your front with a view of holding your forces in
position, while the raiders do their work on your flanks and rear.
Should this opportunity present itself, and you feel yourself able
to accomplish it by a vigorous attack of this main force with all
your strength, you may defeat it completely and then the raiders
will be at your mercy. |
| The raiding party which
left Jacksonville
is believed to consist of about 400 or 500 mounted infantry, under
Col. Guy V. Henry; he perhaps has a light battery also with him.
Some of the men are provided with picks, crowbars, &c., for the
purpose of destroying the railroad. The major-general commanding has
entire confidence in your skill, energy, and courage in this
important work intrusted to you, and believes that your success will
be equal to his hopes. |
| I am, colonel, very respectfully, your
obedient servant, |
| Wm. G. Barth |
| Assistant Adjutant-General |
|