Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Commandant Samuel F. Dupont to Gustavus V. Fox, Friday, October 25, 1861

Private
Wabash Friday
25th 61
Hampton Rds.
Dear Sir—

Susquehanna broken down. Pillar Block broken. Have sent off the Alabama at a half hour's notice to keep up the efficiency of the Blockade, but to make the Susquh wait until I get down, my engineer and he can answer for low speed.

Landing a brigade to-day to exercise Ferry boats and Surf boats — reaping immense advantages from the experiment by seeing the defects &c.

Sherman comes on board at 4, with 5 aids and adj. Genls.

No Boutelle yet and we shall sail without him. This is the greatest trial indeed the only one in our preparations which has really disturbed me — and I am at a loss to account for such a thing, by depending upon him we made no provision to supply his place.

If he is not off on the water, the Bienville should bring him to us.

Bad weather reported by arriving vessels and will be worse tomorrow.

Yrs in haste
S. F. DP.

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. 59-60

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