[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Folly Island, S. C., November 18, 1863.

Respectfully forwarded for the consideration of the General-in-Chief.

An advance on Branchville, from the coast, would at once transfer the theater of war into South Carolina. The subject is one which has been discussed, pro and con, ever since this coast was occupied by our forces in November, 1861. There is, perhaps, no point where so much could be gained on so short a line of operations. Two line of railroad would be cut by reaching Branchville. The bull of Bragg's and Lee's army would doubtless have to be encountered. The project is not without its objectionable features, strategically.

Q. A. GILLMORE,

Major-General.

Abstract from return of the Department of the South, Major General Q. A. Gillmore, U. S. Army, commanding, for October, 1863; headquarters Folly Island.

Present for duty.

Station and command. Officers. Men. Aggregate

present.

General headquarters 62 53 115

Morris Island (Seymour) 371 5,504 7,910

Folly Island (Vogdes and 430 9,321 13,259

Schimmeflennig)

Hilton Head Island 79 2,079 2,931

(Strawbridge)

Port Royal Island (Saxton) 113 1,800 3,046

Saint Helena Island 16 402 682

(Hawley)

Fort Pulaski (Ames) 6 191 251

Fernandina (Guss) 27 594 753

Saint Augustine (Osborn) 23 491 715

10th Connecticut 12 285 551

(Greeley), en route

Total 1,139 20,720 30,213

Pieces of artillery.

Station and command. Aggregate Heavy. Field.

present

and

absent.

General headquarters 125 ...... ......

Morris Island (Seymour) 9,073 ...... 16

Folly Island (Vogdes and 18,007 ...... 18

Schimmeflennig)

Hilton Head Island 3,420 ...... ......

(Strawbridge)

Port Royal Island (Saxton) 3,813 23 8

Saint Helena Island 853 ...... ......

(Hawley)

Fort Pulaski (Ames) 261 ...... .......

Fernandina (Guss) 825 ...... ......

Saint Augustine (Osborn) 818 ...... ......

10th Connecticut 644 ...... ......

(Greeley), en route

Total 37,839 23 42

TRANSFERS.

7th Connecticut from Morris Island to Saint Helena Island.

10th Connecticut ordered, October 28,from Morris Island to Saint Augustine.

11th Maine arrived at Morris Island October 8, from Fernandina.

1st New York Engineers (seven companies) from Morris Island to Folly Island, October 3.

47th New York from Morris Island to Folly Island, October 27.

48th New York from Saint Augustine, four companies to Beaufort and four to Hilton Head.

97th Pennsylvania left Morris Island October 2, for Fernandina.

1st South Carolina (colored), Companies A and F, from Hilton Head to Beaufort.

Abstract from "Record of Events" on the several returns of the Department of the South, for October, 1863.

October 11. - Colonel H. M. Plaisted assumed command of First Brigade, Seymour's (Terry's) division, relieving Lieutenant Colonel Gilman E. Sleeper.