I went early this A.M. to the President on the subject of
procuring a transfer of seamen from the Army to the Navy. After reading the
papers he said he would take the matter in hand, and before I left the room he
rang for his man Edward and told him to go for the Secretary of War, but,
stopping him before he got to the door, directed him to call the Secretary of
State first. In this whole matter of procuring seamen for the Navy there has
been a sorry display of the prejudices of some of the military authorities.
Halleck appears to dislike the Navy more than he loves his country.
Olcott, the detective, is here. Has been called to W. by the
War Department. He, like those of his employment, is full of mystery, discussed
fraud, overwhelming villainy, etc.; but much of it is mere suspicion, or matter
susceptible of explanation. Not but that there is great rascality, — sufficient
without exaggerating or aggravating it. I did not care to see him and cautioned
Fox not to let his judgment be biased by O. The whole of these harsh proceedings
are repugnant to my feelings.
Had a conversation with Admiral Dahlgren concerning
operations at Charleston, ironclads, army matters, etc. Gillmore has high
qualities as an engineer, but very little as a general in command. Lacks
administrative ability, powers of organization, and has not that talent which
relies on itself and keeps its own counsel. From what D. says, I think Gillmore
must have acquiesced at least in the newspaper assaults on D. and the Navy,
which if so, is greatly to his discredit. Dahlgren would never have assented to
or permitted such assaults on Gillmore.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 546-7
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