...en much reduced; but whether our force here is strong enough to make an advance is somewhat doubtful. When I returned here, on the twenty-second, from Ossabaw, I found an expedition preparing by General Birney , to ascend a certain stream and sever the railroad. My cooperation being asked, I directed Lieutenant-Commander Stone to take the McDonough, (Lieutenant-Commander Phythian,) and the Hale, Acting ...