Sunday, July 14, 2019

Flag Officer Samuel F. Dupont to Gustavus V. Fox, January 4, 1862 — 8 p.m.

4th Jany. 8 PM.
Dear Sir

A whale boat is up from Tybee where the Andrew had to put in having broken her rudder a second time. I send off for her. We are fortunate in having a most efficient man in this ship the Chief Engineer, who puts these matters quickly to rights.

The contraband mentioned within is 24 h. later from Savannah than the previous one, who had stated that Como Tattnall was considered too old and this one brings the news of his resignation. A General Harrison reviewed 15,000 men near Savannah — troops are arriving every week from Virginia — guns are still going up on Pulaski and 4 rifle cannon came from Richmond yesterday. They look to losing Savannah and this man also says they are to fire it, while they intend to hold Pulaski. Gillis thinks this man may have been sent as a spy. Except in precision of details and numbers I have great reliance in them — though we know also that a few are faithful. This we know by the signals that are occasionally made from the plantations on the approach of the Gunboats or armed launches.

Yrs truly
S. F. Dupont
Mr. Fox

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. 98

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