Private
Wabash, 16 Dec
Port Royal
My Dear Sir
I have been merged in reports, surveys, sick, broken
machinery &c, so this mail by Atlantic our favorite steamer only takes just
such things and no general report of my proceedings which Mr. Welles and yrself
would like to have. So I will jot down whatever comes up first.
1". Sherman thinks Fernandina wholly secondary now, and
it must fall with Savannah. While I want to take it, more because it entered
the original programme, and because it is a nice naval operation, though I am
much of the same opinion. With this Harb. St. Helena, and Tybee Sound in the
very centre of the stations we have as many harbours of refuge as I want — but
I think it may help the Union people to hoist the flag there and so soon as
Davis closes up Charleston with the Stone vessels I will take the matter up. In
the meantime the Genl has unloaded the vessels — for which he was paying
exorbitantly I mean those intended for F. and when I can get ready — if he
gives me a Regiment with the marines, it may be quite enough to hold the place.
The taking it will not be much, with my present knowledge of it.
2. I shall have Charleston closed this week. Davis was to
sail this morg — but the Easterly weather makes work impossible on these bars,
particularly with the hulks drawing so much water — they have been very
troublesome, but will all pay in some way or other. I gave two yesterday unfit
to go to sea again to the QrMaster for wharf and breakwater. The same for
sheltering a landing on Tybee very necessary. Davis thinks he will succeed in
closing main entrance at Charleston and so do I. Boutelle thinks not, but we
will see — if it lasts till March or April it will be worth all the trouble.
3. The Sabine came in yesterday in want of water. St.
Lawrence already in for the same purpose. Susquehannah out of coal and then the
lame ducks in machinery and the easterly wind keeping in Drayton who
with a Division is going to North Edisto and Stono. I felt almost sick at
seeing so many vessels in port—but there will be a scattering tomorrow.
I cannot water the Sabine from our resources, she wants some
repairs and she may as well go North. Ringgold has shown a good spirit and
wishes to be fitted up and sent immediately back, but I declare to you in
confidence you can keep her if you can find any use for her but do send me
a gun boat or two. The St. Lawrence ought to go home too but I may force her
into Brunswick and I am going to send R. Rodgers to reconnoitre there.
The Seminole is next to nothing because she can catch
nothing. The Forbes goes to-day. I recommend sending her crew to the Recg. Ship
and laying her up until the repairs are completed and then recommissioning — in
this way we get rid of poor Newcomb without any notification to him — he is
wholly incompetent to command such a vessel and she was the most valuable
steamer of her size in my squadron. I have given her rifle gun to Missroon — who
is anxious in his responsible position but the very man to be there. I
am hurrying Sherman to get his guns down there.
4. All well at St. Helena under Nicholson and Truxtun. The
Dale is paying for herself there. Henry Andrew just back from there — made the
trip over via Beaufort and Coosaw in five hours! Luce went in her — reports
highly as every body does of Mather her Capt. I am going to collect the Cotton
again around that Sound letting the Andrew go around. There is much to be had
and Nicholson and Truxtun want employment. The Gov. here shirks this cotton
question, but I do not care for that. I collect it to keep it from being burnt.
5. Many thanks for Vermont. She will be all in all. She
should have a condenser and a place fitted for Machine Shop. Sailing vessels
are a drug, but steamers have their weak side — the breaking downs break my
heart. Unadilla, Forbes, Flag, Florida, Seminole, tinkering all the time, and
the three first done — Susquehannah touch and go. If you would like me
to break up the inland Rebel Steamers I must have more Gunboats. Where is the
Adger — all this time at Balto?
The most active vessel I have after the Gunboats is the
Pawnee since she is under Drayton. How came his predecessor in command again
after giving up so fine a ship, every one is speaking about it here.
Sherman is preparing for his campaign. I think he knows what
he is about, and seems confident of doing something. I wish I could feel any
degree of confidence in his troops. Some of our officers the other night while
up beyond Beaufort, went out to the outer pickets and found every mother's son
asleep and that is not all, they were a long time awaking them.
I am asked every day about that detailed report — do have it
published. In great haste
Yrs most truly
S. F. Dupont
A Condenser in the Vermont — see King's report.
Tell Bridge no tobacco nor soap in Relief. Much
wanted.
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. 78-81
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