Special messenger from Admiral Porter arrived this morning
with dispatches. Left the Admiral and the fleet in Beaufort, coaling,
refitting, taking in supplies, etc. He is not for giving up, but is determined
to have Wilmington. We shall undoubtedly get the place, but I hardly know when.
In the mean time he holds a large part of our naval force locked up. Admirals,
like generals, do not like to part with any portion of their commands. As
things are, I cannot well weaken him by withdrawing his vessels, yet justice to
others requires it. Admiral Porter wrote to General Sherman in his distress,
and he sent me Sherman's reply. It shows great confidence on the part of
General Sherman in the Admiral, and this confidence is mutual. Instead of
sending Porter troops he writes him that he proposes to march through the
Carolinas to Wilmington and in that way capture the place. He does not propose
to stop and trouble himself with Charleston. Says he shall leave on the 10th
inst. if he can get his supplies, and names two or three places on the seaboard
to receive supplies; mentions Bull's Bay, Georgetown, and Masonborough. His
arrangement and plan strike me favorably; but it will be four or five weeks
before he can reach Wilmington, and we cannot keep our vessels there locked up
so long. Besides, General Grant has sent forward a military force from Hampton
Roads to coƶperate with the fleet, a fact unknown to Sherman when his letter
was written. Whether this will interfere with or disarrange Sherman's plan is a
question. I am told General Terry is detailed to command the military. He is a
good man and good officer yet not the one I should have selected unless
attended by a well-trained and experienced artillery or engineer officer.
I am apprehensive that General Grant has not discriminating
powers as regards men and fails in measuring their true character and
adaptability to particular service. He has some weak and improper surroundings;
does not appreciate the strong and particular points of character, but thinks
what one man can do another can also achieve.
The papers are discussing the Wilmington expedition.
Generally they take a correct view. The New York Tribune,
in its devotion to Butler, closes its eyes to all facts. Butler is their latest
idol, and his faults and errors they will not admit, but would sacrifice worth
and truth, good men and the country, for their parasite.
At the Cabinet-meeting no very important matter was taken
up. There was a discussion opened by Attorney General Speed, as to the existing
difficulties in regard to the government of the negro population. They are not
organized nor is any pains taken to organize them and teach them to take care
of themselves or to assist the government in caring for them. He suggests that
the Rebel leaders will bring them into their ranks, and blend and amalgamate
them as fighting men, - will give them commissions and make them officers. The
President said when they had reached that stage the cause of war would cease
and hostilities cease with it. The evil would cure itself. Speed is prompted by
Stanton, who wants power.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the
Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866,
p. 221-2