I wrote,
two or three weeks since, a letter to Admiral Du Pont of affairs at Charleston
and his reports, but have delayed sending it, partly in hopes I should have
something suggestive and encouraging, partly because Fox requested me to wait,
in the belief we should have additional information. Du Pont is morbidly
sensitive, and to vindicate himself wants to publish every defect and weakness
of the ironclads and to disparage them, regardless of its effect in inspiring
the Rebels to resist them, and impairing the confidence of our own men in their
invulnerability. I have tried to be kind and frank in my letter, but shall very
likely give offense.
Had a little conversation to-day with Chase and Bates on two
or three matters, but the principal subject was Earl Russell's speech.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 302
No comments:
Post a Comment