Received a telegram from Admiral Lee this P.M., confirming a
rumor that was whispered yesterday of the death of young Dahlgren. He was
surrounded, it seems, by superior forces near King and Queen Court-House, and
fell attempting to cut his way through. Most of his command was captured. A few
escaped and got on board of the gunboat which had been sent for their relief.
A more gallant and brave-hearted fellow was not to be found
in the service. His death will be a terrible blow to his father, who doted upon
him and not without reason. I apprehend this raid was not a wise and
well-planned scheme. Tested by results, it was not. Whether the War Department
advised it I do not know. I heard it spoken of indefinitely and vaguely, but
with no certainty till the expedition had started.
Fox is full of zeal to get hold of the fraudulent
contractors and all that belongs to them, and the whole subject is committed to
him. I exceedingly dislike these irregular proceedings. There should be proper
law officers to whom these matters should be committed, and not impose them upon
the heads of Departments. I must try to have Congress take the matter in hand,
and pass the necessary laws, or devise some proper action. I do not like
matters as they now are.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 537-8
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