A telegram last night informed me of the death of Admiral
Foote. The information of the last few days made it a not unexpected event, yet
there was a shock when it came. Foote and myself were schoolboys together at
Cheshire Academy under good old Dr. Bronson, and, though three or four years
younger than myself, we were pursuing some of the same studies, and there then
sprang up an attachment between us that never was broken. His profession
interrupted our intimacy, but at long intervals we occasionally met, and the
recollection of youthful friendship made these meetings pleasant.
When I was called to take the administration of the Navy
Department, he was Executive Officer at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and wrote me of
the pleasure my appointment gave him. He soon visited Washington, when I
consulted with him and procured in friendly confidence his estimate of various
officers. This was before the affair of Sumter, and, like many others, he
shortly after expressed a sad disappointment in regard to some he had
commended. In fitting out in those early days the expeditions to Fort Sumter
and Fort Pickens he exhibited that energy and activity which more fully
displayed itself the following autumn and winter in creating and fighting the
Mississippi Flotilla. His health became there impaired and his constitution was
probably undermined before he took charge of the Bureau of Equipment and
Recruiting. Our intercourse here was pleasant. His judgment in the main good,
his intentions pure, and his conduct correct, manly, and firm. Towards me he
exhibited a deference that was to me, who wished a revival and continuance of
the friendly and social intimacy of earlier years, often painful. But the
discipline of the sailor would not permit him to do differently, and when I
once or twice spoke of it, he insisted it was proper, and said it was a
sentiment which he felt even in our schoolday intercourse and friendship.
Shortly after the demonstration of Du Pont at Charleston,
when I think Foote's disappointment was greater than my own, he tendered his
services for any duty afloat. Some premonition of the disease which ended his
life was then upon him, and made him believe more active employment than the
Bureau afforded would conduce to his physical benefit. His wife, after he had
once or twice alluded to the subject, which she did not favor, gave her consent
that he should go wherever ordered, except to the Mississippi. Foote expressed
regret that she should have made any exception.
He did not wish to supplant Du Pont, whom he admired, or
take any part against that officer. He was not unaware, however, that the
Department and the public would turn to him as the successor of the hero of
Port Royal, should there be a change of commanders. I was desirous that both he
and Dahlgren should go to that squadron, and it was finally so arranged, but
Providence has ordered differently. I have been disappointed. Foote had a name
and prestige which would have carried him into the place assigned him on the
tide of popular favor, whatever might have been the intrigues and assaults on
one or both of us from any quarter.
General Wool, Governor Morgan, and Mayor Opdyke make a
combined effort to retain the Roanoke at New York, and write me most earnestly on
the subject. The idea that New York is in danger is an absurdity, and, with a
naval force always at the navy yard and in the harbor, and with forts and
military force, is such a remote contingency that the most timid lady need not
be, and is not, alarmed. Morgan and Opdyke, Governor and Mayor, have
responsibilities that are perhaps excusable, but not General Wool, who feeds on
panic and fosters excitement. It is made the duty of the military at all times
to defend New York. The Army is sensitive of Navy interference in this
specialty, but the Navy will render incidental aid, do all that is necessary;
but the Army assumes the guardianship of the ports as the exclusive province of
the military, independent of the Navy.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 345-7
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