Am troubled by Preble's conduct. There must be a stop put to
the timid, hesitating, and I fear sometimes traitorous course of some of our
officers. Tenderness, remonstrance, reproof do no good. Preble is not a
traitor, but loyal. An educated, gentlemanly officer of a distinguished family
and more than ordinary acquirements, but wants promptitude, energy, decision,
audacity, perhaps courage. I am inclined to believe, however, an excess of
reading, and a fear that he might violate etiquette, some point of
international law, or that he should give offense to Great Britain, whose
insolence the State Department fears and deprecates and submits to with all humility,
had its influence. He paused at a critical moment to reflect on what he had
read and the state of affairs. A man less versed in books would have sunk the
pirate if she did not stop when challenged, regardless of her colors. No
Englishman had a right to approach and pass the sentinel on duty. Preble was
placed there to prevent intercourse, — was a sentinel to watch the Rebels and
all others, — and no Englishman had a right to trespass. A board of officers
would be likely to excuse him, as in the case of —— and ——,1 on
account of his amiable qualities, general intelligence, and good intentions.
The time has arrived when these derelictions must not go unpunished. I should
have preferred that some other man should have been punished. I have had the
subject under consideration with some of the best minds I could consult, and
found no difference of opinion. I then took the dispatches to the President and
submitted them to him. He said promptly: “Dismiss him. If that is your opinion,
it is mine. I will do it.” Secretary Seward and Attorney-General Bates, each of
whom I casually met, advised dismissal. It is painful, but an unavoidable duty.
I am sorry for Preble, but shall be sorry for my country if it is not done. Its
effect upon the Navy will be more salutary than were he and fifty like him to
fall in battle.
Commander Joe Smith,2 who died at his post when
the ill-fated Congress went down from the assault of the Merrimac, perished in
the line of duty. I have never been satisfied with the conduct of the
flag-officer3 in those days, who was absent in the waters of North
Carolina, — purposely and unnecessarily absent, in my apprehension, through
fear of the Merrimac, which he knew was completed, and ready to come out. It
was like dread of the new Merrimac at Richmond, which was nearly ready, that
led him finally to resign his squadron command. He has wordy pretensions, some
capacity, but no hard courage. There is a clan of such men in the Navy, varying
in shade and degree, who in long years of peace have been students and acquired
position, but whose real traits are not generally understood. The Department is
compelled to give them commands, and at the same time is held responsible for
their weakness, errors, and want of fighting qualities.
Nothing conclusive from the army. The Rebels have crossed
the river without being hurt or seriously molested, — much in character with
the general army management of the war. Little is said on the subject. Stanton
makes an occasional sneering remark, Chase now and then a better one, but there
is no general review, inquiry, or discussion. There is no abatement of
hostility to McClellan.
_______________
1 No names in original.
2 Lieutenant Joseph B. Smith.
3 Captain, afterwards Rear-Admiral, Louis M.
Goldsborough.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864,
p. 141-2
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