Valuable Documents Captured On The Rebel Flag Boat Taken At Elizabeth City

Among the many valuable documents captured for publication – is the famous Breckinridge letter, which was written to Mr. Calhoun, of Elizabeth City, in October, before the Presidential election; in which letter he says he loves the Union, but the South he loves better.  His letter found its way into the North Carolina papers, and created great excitement, and, as soon as it became evident to his friends that he would lose the vote of the State, he authorized the editor of The Southron to pronounce it a forgery.  It is an autograph letter, and Mr. B. knew it was no forgery.

From the papers found on the rebel flag ship, we learn that they are building six gun boats at Norfolk; also that a contract was signed in Charleston the day that city was so nearly burned, for building ten gunboats there; the machine shops were all burned, which prevents the boats from being built.  We also learn from the same source that everything is to be got in readiness by the rebels to burn Norfolk the moment it becomes evident to them that they cannot hold it.

The letter from President Davis to the Rebel Flag Officer goes on and urges “the importance of suppressing the Union sentiment existing among the people on these sounds, without a moment’s delay; a growing danger springing up in different sections of the Confederacy, which will soon, if not put down give us more trouble than the Northern foe.”

Letters, I am informed, have also been found from the different members of the Rebel Cabinet, on the rebel flag ship, and the rebel Commodore’s letter book, which disclose a highly interesting state of things, together with many important plans and secrets, which, of course, will not answer to publish.  Rest assured that the “happy family” are in an unusual state of suspense and commotion at the present time, which exercises them nearly, if not quite to a spasmodic degree.  Private letters from prominent and influential person, from all parts of the South, were found, which disclose much valuable news, which we were much in need of.  It is difficult to get hold of these choice documents for publication, owing to the strict manner in which they are held in seclusion by “the powers that be.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 2