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enemy supposed the expedition gotten up early in the fall had been abandoned.
This expedition up the Roanoke was to be a link in the chain of operations, and was to be made in conjunction with the navy.
I sent a despatch to Admiral Porter about the Roanoke expedition.1 On the same day, the 30th of November, I received a telegram from General Grant urging the importance of Weitzel's getting off at once with the expedition.2
I had gone to Fortress Monroe and had a personal consultation with the admiral upon the Roanoke expedition after my consultation with General Grant.
I answered his telegram by repairing to City Point in person to get further instructions from General Grant.
They were that we should move as soon as the navy was ready.
Matters remained in that condition until the 4th of December.
On that day I received a telegram from General Grant urging me to hurry off the expedition either with or without the powder-boat.3 On the same day I telegraphed to Admiral Porter to hasten operations, as news which I had received made time of great importance.4
On the same day, also, I received word from Admiral Porter that the navy was ready for the one hundred and fifty tons of powder, and asking me to have it packed ready for them.5 On the 5th of December I telegraphed to Captain Edson, ordnance officer, to have the powder ready at once,6 and on the same day I received word7 from Admiral Porter that he was all ready and would call on the ordnance officer for the material, which he got. On the 6th of December, hearing nothing further, I telegraphed to Admiral Porter asking him when he could be ready,8 and received an answer informing me that he had got most of his ammunition, meaning the powder with which to fill the powder-boat, and would commence loading the next day, when he could tell me within an hour when he would be ready to start.9
It will thus be seen that Admiral Porter promised to notify me on the morning of the 7th of December.
I had to make all my arrangements by verbal instructions and orders.
On the 6th of December I issued, through my chief of staff, Brigadier-General Turner, the instructions intended for the expedition as follows:--
A. M. Thayer and Co. 1892.
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