S.P. Lee's Instructions for Blockaders

SEPTEMBER 1ST, 1863:

Rear Admiral S.P. Lee issues instructions to Union blockade ships saying they must not waste fuel by unnecessarily moving around during daylight. They are not to be too close together and to have assigned ay and night anchorages and positions.

"Vessels should weigh anchor before sunset and be in their night positions by dark, as when the draft of vessels or stage of tide permits, escapes are made out at or near to evening twilight, without showing black smoke and inward in the morning at daylight.

The distance to be kept from the bar, the batteries, and the beach must be regulated by the state of the weather and atmosphere and the light. When vessels anchor at night, they must be underway one hour before dawn of day, so as not to expose their position, and to be ready to chase."

--Old B-R'er