Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 4.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

---

[578] detachment, while several vessels, ascending the St. John's River, took possession of the small towns of Picolata and Palatka, situated on an arm of the sea. The co-operation of the fleet rendered the victualling and defence of these places an easy matter. Having thus assumed the occupation of the country which he proposed to guard, Gillmore embarked on the 13th for Hilton Head, after having directed Seymour to complete the occupation without any thought of extending it.

But as soon as the chief was gone, Seymour, forgetting his wise instructions, determined to resume the campaign. Although his means of transportation were still as insufficient as ever, he suddenly gave an order on February 18th to the troops assembled at Jackson to start in the direction of Lake City. It is difficult to divine the motives which determined Seymour upon an open violation of Gillmore's orders: the only one he alleged was the desire to stop the enemy from taking and carrying off the rails of the Florida Central Railroad. It was his duty, however, to know that Finegan had received reinforcements, mustered all the militia, and would dispute with him determinedly the road to Lake City. He foresaw so well the danger to which he was exposing his troops that in announcing his resolution to Gillmore he asked him to see that naval and military demonstrations on the coast of Georgia were made, so as to divert the enemy's attention. It was rather late to be asking for this diversion on the day he was taking the field.

The preparations for this expedition and the manner in which the march was conducted bear the marks of the precipitation with which Seymour made up his mind. The trains could not carry stores for more than ten days beyond the depot formed at Baldwin; victualling became impossible. The medical department was not organized; instruments, medicines, conveyances were wanting. From the very start Seymour imposed too long marches upon his soldiers. In two days he made them accomplish thirty-seven miles over roads often swampy, and made them bivouac the evening of the 19th at Barber's Station. Instead of granting them a short rest after two such fatiguing days, he gave them again the order to march on the morning of the 20th. He entertained the hope, no doubt, thanks to his rapidity, of surprising Finegan