Next morning (18th) the rascals were found to be off, and we broke in from all directions, by land and water.

The main bodies had left at eight or nine in the evening, leaving detachments to keep up a fire from the batteries.

I steamed round quickly, and soon got into the city, threading the streets with a large group of naval captains who had joined me.

All was silent as the grave.

No one to be seen but a few firemen.
No one can question the excellence of your judgment in taking the track you did, and I never had any misgivings, but it was natural to desire to go into the place with a strong hand, for, if any one spot in the land was foremost in the trouble, it was Charleston.
Your campaign was the final blow, grand in conception, complete in execution; and now it is yours to secure the last army which rebeldom possesses.