Gustavus V. Fox to Montgomery Blair, Sunday, March 31, 1861, p.m.

Sunday, P.M.

31 Mch. '61

D^r Judge.

I am writing this at Mr. Aspinwall's house. He has just had an interview with Capt. Marshall who declines to have anything to do with the matter. This is serious as he was expected to obtain all the provisions in what is called the desiccated form. These would occupy only half the space of others, could all be carried in bags, in the boats, facilitating the landing and giving the garrison, always, fresh provisions. Ships out of N. Y. now use them. Mr. Aspinwall says we can have the Baltic but he is evidently very averse to the movement. He is now writing and will send on a special messenger who takes this. I also wrote you by mail this morning. Mr. A. and Capt. M. say the loan would not be taken if this news leaked out which it will not here. Verbal orders having been given to me, which cannot be carried out, now Marshall declines, without placing me in immediate prominence. I give you the earliest information, that the War Dept. may give the necessary orders, which they can give Tuesday noon after the loan bids are received. All the desiccated meats &c are put into a size that will allow them to be bagged in common gunny bags of 2½  bushel size. We can also put coal into bags as we go down.

The Baltic's ten boats will hold all the men and the Provisions, in this form, — but in the ordinary form, i.e. salt, not one half. No flour should be sent, only bread. So we could use tugs or boats. Perhaps both.

The arguments of opposition to this act of solemn duty are all political. Capt. Marshall has been in Washington for two weeks and wishes to know if Mr. Seward goes for it. His only fear of success is the impossibility of getting their tugs out of the way — not difficult with an efficient naval force. Then the whole thing is child's play. I feel like abandoning my country, moving off somewhere. I am sick down to my heel.

The Baltic can be got ready in three days. Be particular about the provisions — desiccated and to go in bags, which can be done in the Baltic on the way down.

Has Major A. a range for burning wood or coal at the fort. This is important. I expect to hear from you at the earliest moment. Mr. A has written to the Pres^t advising no movement until the loan is taken and sends it with this note.

Very sincerely

G. V. Fox

SOURCES: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright, Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865, Volume 1, p. 13-14