1863 Order by Gen. John W. Turner to W.W.H. Davis's Brigade Before Fort Wagner

Description

This order was sent to Colonel William W. H. Davis, commander of an infantry brigade in General Alfred Terry’s division at Beaufort, South Carolina. It was written and signed by Colonel (later General) John Wesley Turner, chief-of-staff to the 10th Corps commander Quincy A. Gillmore, and represents the first moves in the action that culminated with the assaults on Fort Wagner. The order calls upon Davis to “immediately proceed with your regiment and the 52 Penn to Folly Island so as to arrive there tomorrow night and report to Brig. Gen. Seymour.” Turner further instructs Davis to leave “your tents and a few men to take care of your baggage and to forward your tents, taking 10 days rations, and receive ammunition of 100 rounds per man.”
As Gillmore’s forces made their move, the order stressed that Port Royal “be so watched that timely notice can be given to the main body at Beaufort.”
Terry’s Division landed on James Island on July 8, and on July 11 Gillmore launched the first attack on Fort Wagner. The Battle of Grimball’s Landing and the second assault on Fort Wagner, both popularized in the film Glory, took place the following week.
The order was written on two pages of a 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” bifolium letter sheet, pre-printed with the header, “Headquarters, Department of the South.” Excellent condition with very light toning. The blank fourth page has some evidence along its edges of a previous album placement. The full transcript follows:
Headquarters, Department of the South,
Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C., July 5 1863.
Col. W. W. H. Davis
Comdg. U.S. Forces
Beaufort S.C.
Colonel
The General Commanding directs that you immediately proceed with your regiment and the 52 Penn to Folly Island so as to arrive there tomorrow night and report to Brig. Gen. Seymour.
You will move in light marching order, leaving your tents and a few men to take care of your baggage and to forward your tents, taking 10 days rations, and receive ammunition of 100 rounds per man.
You will turn over your command at Beaufort to the next in rank. If deemed necessary the 55 Penn now on picket duty may be withdrawn within the defenses, but detachments of troops must patrol daily the line now occupied by this regiment. A few infantry mounted on what spare horses can be picked up would answer this purpose. The object is simply that Port Royal ferry and [illegible] be so watched that timely notice can be given to the main body at Beaufort. Small pickets, if vigilant, can adequately perform this duty. The same holds for the picket duty on Lady Island.
I am, Colonel,
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Jno. W. Turner
Col. & Chief of Staff
[Added later, about Turner] Note - Brigadier General from September 7th 1863 and Chief of Artillery at the siege of Charleston.
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