Daniel Ammen, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.2, The Atlantic Coast
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[38] that could be caught had been driven away. Many of them that remained begged to be taken away, as they had neither shelter nor food. They were permitted to go on board of the vessel. Leaving the blockading force, the Pawnee then returned to Port Royal, and Flag-Officer Dupont informed the Navy Department that he would hold Otter Island and Tybee Roads by a naval force until it was convenient for the army to occupy the islands, when several of the vessels could be sent to other points for blockading purposes.

At the same time, Commander C. R. P. Rodgers was making a reconnoissance of Warsaw Sound with the gunboats Ottawa, Seneca, and Pembina. This force left Tybee Roads on December 5th, and approaching the fort on Warsaw Island found it abandoned. It was octagonal in form, with platforms for eight guns on the water faces; the land faces were protected by an abatis. The guns had been removed, the magazine blown up, and the platforms destroyed. Adjoining the work, huts and sheds for a large garrison had not yet been removed.

From the mouth of Wilmington River, another work on the river was sighted, bearing north 60° west, distant about three miles; this was surrounded by a large encampment. Five guns, apparently of large calibre, were mounted on the face of the battery toward the river; only one gun was visible on the other face.

The Henry Andrew was added to the force, and Commander Rodgers crossed Ossabaw Bar and examined the Great Ogeechee and Vernon Rivers. An earthwork of eight guns, not yet completed, was seen on the eastern end of Green Island; seventy-five tents were counted and a derrick was seen for the work in progress. This fort commanded Vernon River, the Little Ogeechee, Hell Gate, and the passage from Vernon River into the Great Ogeechee. From a distance