 The USS "Iris" steamed with "Nipsic" to the North Edisto River 8 February 1864 to support a reconnaissance in force undertaken by the Union Army as a diversion to prevent Southern troops in the Charleston area from moving to Florida for action against Brigadier General Truman Seymour.A week later she was back at her old station inside the bar.On 12 December "Iris" moved to the Savannah River to be on hand to support General William Tecumseh Sherman at the end of his march through Georgia to the sea where he was assured of supplies and a secure operating base behind the big guns of the Navy.