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

The long line of vessels entering St. Andrew's was really a beautiful and impressive sight; to the naval eye, however, there was not much that was really formidable in it. A punster might be pardoned in calling it an imposing force.

Fernandina was garrisoned on the morning of the 4th by the marines of the Pawnee and a company from the Wabash. At 9 A. M. the Isaac Smith arrived, and later in the day the other gunboats that had passed through the Sound. In the afternoon the Mohican came in by the sea entrance with the flag-officer on board.

We will now note the earlier movements of the enemy. General Trapier reports that on February 23d he received General R. E. Lee's order to withdraw from the islands, securing the artillery, etc. This order was sent by special messenger to the officer commanding the post at Amelia and Talbot Islands, and to Colonel McBlair, commanding the batteries, ‘to dismantle the batteries with all possible expedition and caution, and then to withdraw the troops and abandon the post.’

‘The fourth day after the receipt of this order the enemy made his appearance simultaneously in Cumberland Sound, having entered by St. Andrew's, and off the town of Fernandina. At that time the greater number of the guns had been dismounted and removed, and all of the guns that protected the direct entrance to Fernandina. A defence was therefore deemed impracticable, and the order was given to retire from the island. Thirty-three pieces of heavy ordnance were upon these islands, of which eighteen were carried off, as also all of the ammunition. When it is remembered that this was accomplished in four days, no other conclusion can ’