I have the honor to withdraw my request for permission to visit Washington at the present time.

Admiral Dahlgren does not expect the new monitors until toward the 1st of January.

The conditions of the problem are entirely different from what they were three months ago, when Sumter was first demolished.

From rumors that have reached my ears, I judge that efforts are being made to get one of my divisions transferred to another army and department.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Q. A. GILLMORE,

Major-General, Commanding.

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

Present for duty.

Station and command. Officers. Men. Aggregate

present.

General headquarters 65 52 120

Morris Island (Terry) 278 6,151 8,741

Folly Island (Vogdes and 453 8,925 12,601

Gordon)

Hilton Head Island and 102 3,250 4,132

Fort Pulaski (Barton)

Port Royal Island 129 2,828 4,166

(Saxton)

Saint Helena Island 21 619 781

(Hawley)

Fernandina (Guss) 32 811 1,021

Saint Augustine (Osborn) 40 906 1,280

Total 1,120 23,542 32,842

Pieces of artillery.

Station and command. Aggregate Heavy. Field.

present

and absent

General headquarters 124 ...... ......

Morris Island (Terry) 9,965 ...... 4

Folly Island (Vogdes and 17,318 ...... 28

Gordon)

Hilton Head Island and 4,813 ...... 4

Fort Pulaski (Barton)

Port Royal Island 4,708 23 4

(Saxton)

Saint Helena Island 961 ...... ......

(Hawley)

Fernandina (Guss) 1,080 ...... ......

Saint Augustine (Osborn) 1,446 ...... ......

Total 40,415 23 40

TRANSFERS.

8th Maine from Hilton Head to Beaufort.

7th New Hampshire assigned to First Brigade, Terry's division.

1st New York Engineers, Company E, from Morris Island to Folly Island.

3rd New York Artillery, Battery C, from Morris Island to Folly Island.

3rd New York Artillery, Battery F, from Morris Island to Folly Island.

47th New York from Folly Island to Hilton Head.

48th New York (four companies) from Beaufort to Hilton Head.

3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, Company A, from Beaufort to Morris Island.

3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, Company B, from Folly Island to Morris Island.

3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, Company C, assigned to Gordon's division.

3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, Company E, from Hilton Head to Morris Island.

1st U. S. Artillery, Battery M, from Beaufort to Hilton Head.

U. S. Veteran Reserve Corps, 63rd and 64th companies, Second Battalion, arrived in the department.

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

November 5. - Camp for the collection of invalids established on Saint Helena Island.

November 9. - Brigadier-General Terry resumes command of the troops on Morris Island; Colonel William B. Barton relieves Colonel D. C.