[#3Fan]

Three hundred men who weren't there, about whom Joe Schmoe apparently knew nothing.

Regardless of where they were, he expected 300 fighting sailors. So if fighting sailors were an impossibility, this captain was not aware of that impossibility. lol

[Gianni]

Regardless of where they were, he expected 300 fighting sailors.

What he expected has nothing to do with what Lincoln ordered, which was not to fit out Powhatan with 300 sailors.

this captain was not aware of that impossibility. lol

You will fit out the Powhatan without delay. Lieutenant Porter will relieve Captain Mercer in command of her. She is bound on secret service; and you will under no circumstances communicate to the Navy Department the fact that she is fitting out

I'm sure Lincoln and Seward LOL'd thinking that they were sending Anderson's men and the expedition on a suicide mission.