My sons Edgar and John got home this morning from a visit to Connecticut. Have word that the Pontoosuc arrived at Halifax about four hours after the Tallahassee had sailed, having been ordered off by the authorities. This warning was not, however, until she had got more than half the coal she wanted, and, I am suspicious, after a knowledge of the fact that the Pontoosuc was on its way to Halifax, for the order of the Department to the Pontoosuc was sent to Bangor by open telegraph, not in cipher.
I yesterday wrote a rebuke to Paulding in relation to the neglect in sending forward the San Jacinto, also for omitting to send me a copy of instructions, and also for not advising me of the return of the Grand Gulf and the Eolus, by telegraph. All was lazily sent by mail. On sending to him to at once send out the Grand Gulf again, I am informed her engines are taken to pieces and it will require two days to get her ready. Among the commanders there has been, as I apprehended, an indifference that is discreditable. Several of them were on the track of the pirate, fell in with the wrecks and floating cargoes of his victims, and, with an eye to salvage, then turned about and returned. These fellows will never wear an admiral's flag on the active list, or command a squadron in time of war.
As I expected, the papers - particularly the Administration papers in New York - are very abusive of me because the Tallahassee is not captured. The blame is thrown entirely on the Department, no censure on the officers who were negligent in obeying orders. On the other hand, not one word of commendation is given by these journals to the Department for the success at Mobile. Such is the justice and intelligence of miserable partisans and an unscrupulous partisan press.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 113-4
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