Gideon Welles to Captain John A. Faunce, April 5, 1861

Navy Department, April 5th, 1861.

Capt. Faunce, Commander of

U.S. Revenue Steamer "Harriet Lane"

New York.

Sir:

The revenue steamer "Harriet Lane," having been temporarily placed under the orders of this department, you will proceed with her from New York in time to appear off Charleston bar, ten miles distant from, and due east of, the lighthouse, on the morning of the nth instant, where you will report to Captain Samuel Mercer of the "Powhatan," for special service. Should he not be there, you will await his arrival.

Very resp'y, your obt. servt.

Gideon Welles  

Secy of the Navy.

SOURCE: 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. 23