Everything quiet—no signs
of the enemy and I do not think they will make an attempt against Yorktown
unless with a much larger force than they have at Fortress Monroe. Several
small schooners have run the blockade and arrived at this port.
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 102
Our guns are on the field somewhere, they are Enfield rifles, and report says they are good ones; they have been distributed to the guard, but it is said owing to the lack of racks in our barracks it will be several days before we get them. It is reported that our arms are a lot captured from a blockade runner, and intended for the rebels. We don't care much where they come from or for whom they were intended, if they are made so they won't kill at both ends.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 8
Clear and pleasant.
Cannon heard down the river.
Mr. E. A. Pollard,
taken by the Federals in an attempt to run the blockade last spring, has
returned, and reports that Gen. Butler has been relieved of his command—probably
for his failure to capture Wilmington. Mr. Pollard says that during his
captivity he was permitted, on parole, to visit the Northern cities, and he
thinks the Northern conscription will ruin the war party.
But, alas! the lax
policy inaugurated by Mr. Benjamin, and continued by every succeeding Secretary
of War, enables the enemy to obtain information of all our troubles and all our
vulnerable points. The United States can get recruits under the conviction that
there will be little or no more fighting.
Some $40,000 worth
of provisions, belonging to speculators, but marked for a naval bureau and the
Mining and Niter Bureau, have been seized at Danville. This is well-if it be
not too late.
A letter from Mr.
Trenholm, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Wagner, Charleston, S. C. (sent
over for approval), appoints him agent to proceed to Augusta, etc., with
authority to buy all the cotton for the government, at $1 to $1.25 per pound;
and then sell it for sterling bills of exchange to certain parties, giving them
permission to remove it within the enemy's lines; or "better still,"
to have it shipped abroad on government account by reliable parties. This
indicates a purpose to die "full-handed," if the government must die,
and to defeat the plans of the enemy to get the cotton. Is the Federal
Government a party to this arrangement? Gold was $60 for one yesterday. I
suppose there is no change to-day.
Judge Campbell,
Assistant Secretary, returned to his room today, mine not suiting him.
Col. Sale, Gen.
Bragg's military secretary, told me to-day that the general would probably
return from Wilmington soon. His plan for filling the ranks by renovating the
whole conscription system, will, he fears, slumber until it is too late, when
ruin will overtake us! If the President would only put Bragg at the head of the
conscription business—and in time—we might be saved.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 382-3
Clear and frosty.
We learn vaguely
that the attack on the defenses of Wilmington has been progressing since
Friday, and that the enemy's land forces have effected a lodgment between Fort
Fisher and the town.
Another
"peace" visitor has arrived—Hon. Mr. Singleton, of the United States
Congress. It is said that the President (Confederate States) has pledged
himself to appoint commissioners to fix terms of peace. This is but a
forlorn-hope. No terms of peace are contemplated by any of these visitors but
on the basis of reconstruction; and their utmost liberality could reach no
further than a permission for the Southern States to decide, in convention, the
question of emancipation. The President having suggested, however, the
propriety of putting the negroes into the service, and emancipating them
afterward, has aroused the fears and suspicions of many of the people; and but
few have confidence in the integrity of the Secretary of State. Hence the
universal gloom and despondency of the croakers. There may be difficulty in
replenishing the Federal armies, and they may be depleted by spring; and if so,
Gen. Lee may be able to make another grand campaign with the men and material
now at his command. The issue of the next campaign may inaugurate real
negotiations. Wilmington may be taken, blockade-running may cease; but we have
ammunition and other stores for another campaign.
At last we have a
dispatch from Gen. Lee, announcing the fall of Fort Fisher. Most of the garrison,
supposed to be 1500, were taken.
Gold was $70 for $1
on Saturday: what will it be to-day or tomorrow?
A voluminous
correspondence is going on between Mr. Conrad (secret agent to arrest disloyal
men endeavoring to cross the Potomac) and Mr. Secretary Seddon. Mr. Foote,
arrested by their great skill, has applied, indignantly, for a writ of habeas
corpus. Thus the time of our great dignitaries is consumed removing molehills,
while mountains are looming up everywhere.
The following
dispatch was received here at 11 A.M. to-day from Gen. Bragg's A. D. C.:
"January
15th, 1865.—Official information from Gen. Whiting, at Fort Fisher, up to 8
o'clock this evening, reports enemy's attack on fort unsuccessful. Fresh troops
are being sent to him."
This does not agree
with the dispatch from Gen. Lee. It must have been taken last night, and after
the hour indicated. Gen. Lee certainly says it has fallen. It is gone, and I
fear the "reinforcements" also—with Gen. Whiting "to boot."
Alas for Bragg the
unfortunate! He seems to be another BOABDIL the Unlucky.
Dr. Woodbridge
announced in the Monumental Church, yesterday, that only five ladies had
responded to the call to knit socks for the soldiers! A rich congregation, too.
My daughters (poor) were among the five, and handed him several pairs. They
sent one pair to their cousin S. Custis, Clingman's brigade, Hoke's North
Carolina division.
Mr. Lewis,
disbursing clerk of Post-Office Department, has sent in a communication asking
an investigation of the conduct of Mr. Peck, agent to buy supplies for clerks.
What will Mr. Seddon do now?
The
Commissary-General says 100,000 bushels corn for Lee's army may be got in
Southwest Virginia.
Cloudy and cool.
Cannon heard down the river.
No war news. But
blockade-running at Wilmington has ceased; and common calico, now at $25 per
yard, will soon be $50.
The stupor in
official circles continues, and seems likely to continue.
A secret detective
told the Assistant Secretary, yesterday, that a certain member of Congress was
uttering treasonable language; and, for his pains, was told that matters of
that sort (pertaining to members of Congress) did not fall within his
(detective's) jurisdiction. It is the policy now not to agitate the matter of disloyalty,
but rather to wink at it, and let it die out—if it will; if it won't, I suppose
the government must take its chances, whatever they may be.
Breckinridge, it is
now said, will not be Secretary of War: the position which Mr. Seddon is
willing to abandon, cannot be desirable. And Northrop, Commissary-General, is
still held by the President, contrary to the wishes of the whole Confederacy.
Flour is $1250 per
barrel, to-day.
A detective reports
that one of the committee (Mr. Mc-?) selected by Mr. Secretary Seddon to hunt
up flour for Gen. Lee's army, has a large number of barrels secreted in his own
dwelling! But they must not be touched.
Gen. Lee writes that
he thinks the crisis (starvation in the army) past. Good.
In South Carolina we
hear of public meetings of submission, etc.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 390-1
Notwithstanding the
alleged ceaseless vigilance of the Yankee navy in watching blockade-runners on
the Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the Confederate States, their close attention
has amounted to comparatively little. Setting aside all that has been imported
on State and individual account, the proceeds of the blockade have been very
great. The restrictions imposed upon foreign commerce by the act of Congress of
last session prohibiting, absolutely, during the pending war, the importation
of any articles not necessary for the defense of the country— namely: wines, spirits,
jewelry, cigars, and all the finer fabrics of cotton, flax, wool, or silk, as
well as all other merchandise serving only for the indulgence of luxurious
habits,—has not had the effect to reduce the number of vessels engaged in
blockade-running; but, on the contrary, the number has steadily increased
within the last year, and many are understood to be now on the way to engage in
the business.
The President, in a
communication to Congress on the subject, says that the number of vessels
arriving at two ports only from the 1st of November to the 6th of December was
forty-three, and but a very small proportion of those outward bound were
captured. Out of 11,796 bales of cotton shipped since the 1st of July last, but
1272 were lost-not quite 11 per cent.
The special report
of the Secretary of the Treasury in relation to the matter shows that there
have been imported into the Confederacy at the ports of Wilmington and
Charleston since October 26th, 1864, 8,632,000 pounds of meat, 1,507,000 pounds
of lead, 1,933,000 pounds of saltpeter, 546,000 pairs of shoes, 316,000 pairs
of blankets, 520,000 pounds of coffee, 69,000 rifles, 97 packages of revolvers,
2639 packages of medicine, 43 cannon, with a large quantity of other articles
of which we need make no mention. Besides these, many valuable stores and
supplies are brought, by way of the Northern lines, into Florida; by the port
of Galveston and through Mexico, across the Rio Grande.
The shipments of
cotton made on government account since March 1st, 1864, amount to $5,296,000
in specie. Of this, cotton, to the value of $1,500,000, has been shipped since
the 1st of July and up to the 1st of December.
It is a matter of
absolute impossibility for the Federals to stop our blockade-running at the
port of Wilmington. If the wind blows off the coast, the blockading fleet is
driven off. If the wind blows landward, they are compelled to haul off to a
great distance to escape the terrible sea which dashes on a rocky coast without
a harbor within three days' sail. The shoals on the North Carolina Coast are
from five to twenty miles wide; and they are, moreover, composed of the most
treacherous and bottomless quicksands. The whole coast is scarcely equaled in
the world for danger and fearful appearance, particularly when a strong
easterly wind meets the ebb tide.
It is an easy matter
for a good pilot to run a vessel directly out to sea or into port; but in the
stormy months, from October to April, no blockading vessel can lie at anchor in
safety off the Carolina Coast. Therefore supplies will be brought in despite
the keenest vigilance.
SOURCE: “Blockade
Running,” Richmond Daily Dispatch,
Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday Morning, January 3, 1865, p. 3
Calm and quiet;
indications of snow.
By a communication
sent to Congress, by the President, it is ascertained that 500,000 pairs shoes,
8,000,000 pounds bacon, 2,000,000 pounds saltpeter, 50 cannon, etc. etc., have
been imported since October 1st, 1864.
When the enemy's
fleet threatened Wilmington, the brokers here (who have bribed the conscript
officers) bought up all the coffee and sugar in the city. They raised the price
of the former from $15 to $45 per pound, and the latter to $15, from $10. An application
has been made to Mr. Secretary Seddon to order the impressment of it all, at
schedule prices, which he will be sure not to do.
Congress paid their
respects to the President yesterday, by waiting upon him in a body.
There is a rumor of
some fighting (12 M.) below, but I have not learned on which side of the river.
It arises from brisk cannonading, heard in the city, I suppose.
I bought an ax (of
Starke) for $15, mine having been stolen. I was asked from $25 to $35 for no
better. Mr. Starke has no garden seeds yet.
The following
article in the Dispatch to-day, seemingly well authenticated, would seem to
indicate that our armies are in no danger of immediately becoming destitute of
supplies; but, alas! the publication itself may cause the immediate fall of
Wilmington.
BLOCKADE
RUNNING.—Notwithstanding the alleged ceaseless vigilance of the Yankee navy in
watching blockade-runners on the Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the Confederate
States, their close attention has amounted to comparatively little. Setting
aside all that has been imported on State and individual account, the proceeds
of the blockade have been very great. The restrictions imposed upon foreign
commerce by the act of Congress of last session prohibiting, absolutely, during
the pending war, the importation of any articles not necessary for the defense
of the country— namely: wines, spirits, jewelry, cigars, and all the finer
fabrics of cotton, flax, wool, or silk, as well as all other merchandise
serving only for the indulgence of luxurious habits,—has not had the effect to
reduce the number of vessels engaged in blockade-running; but, on the contrary,
the number has steadily increased within the last year, and many are understood
to be now on the way to engage in the business.
The
President, in a communication to Congress on the subject, says that the number
of vessels arriving at two ports only from the 1st of November to the 6th of
December was forty-three, and but a very small proportion of those outward
bound were captured. Out of 11,796 bales of cotton shipped since the 1st of
July last, but 1272 were lost-not quite 11 per cent.
The
special report of the Secretary of the Treasury in relation to the matter shows
that there have been imported into the Confederacy at the ports of Wilmington
and Charleston since October 26th, 1864, 8,632,000 pounds of meat, 1,507,000
pounds of lead, 1,933,000 pounds of saltpeter, 546,000 pairs of shoes, 316,000
pairs of blankets, 520,000 pounds of coffee, 69,000 rifles, 97 packages of
revolvers, 2639 packages of medicine, 43 cannon, with a large quantity of other
articles of which we need make no mention. Besides these, many valuable stores
and supplies are brought, by way of the Northern lines, into Florida; by the
port of Galveston and through Mexico, across the Rio Grande.
The
shipments of cotton made on government account since March 1st, 1864, amount to
$5,296,000 in specie. Of this, cotton, to the value of $1,500,000, has been
shipped since the 1st of July and up to the 1st of December.
It
is a matter of absolute impossibility for the Federals to stop our
blockade-running at the port of Wilmington. If the wind blows off the coast,
the blockading fleet is driven off. If the wind blows landward, they are
compelled to haul off to a great distance to escape the terrible sea which
dashes on a rocky coast without a harbor within three days' sail. The shoals on
the North Carolina Coast are from five to twenty miles wide; and they are,
moreover, composed of the most treacherous and bottomless quicksands. The whole
coast is scarcely equaled in the world for danger and fearful appearance,
particularly when a strong easterly wind meets the ebb tide.
It
is an easy matter for a good pilot to run a vessel directly out to sea or into
port; but in the stormy months, from October to April, no blockading vessel can
lie at anchor in safety off the Carolina Coast. Therefore supplies will be
brought in despite the keenest vigilance.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 373-5
General James Watson Webb called on me. He has been laid up by the gout at his son-in-law's, Major Benton's, house. He came home from Brazil via Paris, saw Louis Napoleon, dined with him, gave him good advice, wants to get out of Mexico, etc., etc. Has communicated to the President the Emperor's feelings and wishes. No doubt he saw Louis Napoleon, with whom he had a close acquaintance when that dignitary wanted friends and perhaps a dinner. It is creditable to him that he is not ungrateful to Webb.
Colonel Bolles, Solicitor and Judge Advocate, desires to prefer a number of charges against Semmes, and has, I fear, more thought of making a figure than of the point I wish presented; that is, a breach of parole, bad faith, violation of the usages of war in the surrender and escape from the Alabama. That he and a million of others have been guilty of treason there is no doubt; that he ran the blockade, burnt ships after a semi-piratical fashion there is no doubt; so have others been guilty of these things, and I do not care to select and try Semmes on these points, though perhaps the most guilty.
The Freedmen's Bureau wants three boats which are on the Tombigbee. They were blockade-runners which were ordered to be turned over to the Navy, but they are not naval captures. The Freedmen's Bureau has no funds. This is an indirect way of obtaining means, as wrong as the Bureau scheme itself. I think it would be better to go direct to Congress for money. If, however, the President rescinds the order turning over those boats, the Navy Department cannot interfere or object. The boats are strictly abandoned property and fall within the scope of the Treasury. The last three days have been severely cold.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 413
Raining alternate
hours and warm. Had a chill this morning, and afterward several spells of
blindness, from rushes of blood to the head. Came home and bathed my feet and
recovered.
Another disaster!
but no great loss of men. Gen. Early was compelled to retreat again on
Thursday, 22d inst., the enemy flanking him, and getting in his rear. He lost
12 more guns. This intensifies the chagrin and doubts prevalent in a certain
class of the community. However, Lee commands in Virginia, and there may be
better luck next time, which will cause everybody's spirits to rise.
Gen. Lee writes a
long letter to the Secretary of War, deprecating the usage of the port of
Wilmington by the Tallahassee and other cruisers, that go out and ravage the
enemy's commerce, such as the destruction of fishing smacks, etc. Already the
presence of the Tallahassee and the Edith at Wilmington has caused the loss of
one of our blockade-runners, worth more than all the vessels destroyed by the
Tallahassee, and the port is now guarded by such an additional number of
blockaders that it is with difficulty our steamers can get in with supplies. Gen.
L. suggests that Charleston or some other port be used by our cruisers; and
that Wilmington be used exclusively for the importation of supplies—
quartermaster's, commissary's ordnance, etc. Gen. L. advises that supplies
enough for two or three years be brought in, so that we shall not be under
apprehension of being destitute hereafter. Such were his ideas. Lieut. Wood,
who commands the Tallahassie, is the President's nephew, and gains eclat by his
chivalric deeds on the ocean; but we cannot afford to lose our chances of
independence to glorify the President's nephew. Gen. Lee but reiterates what
has been written on the same subject by Gen. Whiting at Wilmington.
Rained last night;
clear to-day.
We hear of great
rejoicing in the United States over the fall of Atlanta, and this may be
premature. President Lincoln has issued a proclamation for thanksgiving in the
churches, etc.
Mr. Benjamin informs
the Secretary of War that the President has agreed to facilitate the emigration
of Polish exiles and a few hundred Scotchmen, to come through Mexico, etc. The
former will enter our service.
The "Hope"
has arrived at Wilmington with Sir Wm. Armstrong's present of a fine
12-pounder, all its equipments, ammunition, etc. Also (for sale) two
150-pounder rifled guns, with equipments, etc.
We had calm and
delightful weather. Were amused as persons on shipboard usually are. Off the
entrance to Cape Fear we had some fishing. Saw and signalled a steamer on the
inside near Fort Caswell, which came out to us. Two or three Treasury agents
were on board, and Judge Casey of the Court of Claims, who is here, I surmise,
like many others, for speculation.
During the night we
were serenaded by a fine band, which had come off in a steamer. We ascertained
in the morning that it was General Hawley and staff in an army boat, they
having come down from Wilmington to meet us. By invitation we went on board
with them and proceeded up the Cape Fear to Wilmington. The Santiago was
directed to proceed around Smith's Island opposite to Fort Fisher and await us.
The beach for some distance was strewn with wrecks of blockade-runners, — or,
more modestly and correctly speaking, several were beached. Our jaunt to
Wilmington was pleasant, and our ride through various streets exceedingly warm.
We returned early in order to visit Fort Fisher by daylight. These formidable
defenses, which we finally captured, have given me exceeding annoyance for
several years. The War Department and military, so long as Halleck controlled,
had no comprehension of the importance of capturing this place, and by so doing
cutting off Rebel supplies.
We stopped a few
hours at Fortress Monroe and walked round on the ramparts. Jeff Davis was a
prisoner in one of the casemates, but I did not see him.
Very hot; very dry;
very dusty.
The President has
directed the late Gen. (now Lieut.-Col.) Pemberton to organize a mortar and
cavalry force to dislodge the enemy from Deep Bottom, on this side of the
river, and to select three or four batteries to render the navigation of the
James River difficult and dangerous. Col. P. says he must have some 1500
cavalry, etc.
Letters from Mr.
McRae, our agent abroad, show that our finances and credit are improving
wonderfully, and that the government will soon have a great many fine steamers
running the blockade. Mr. McR. has contracted for eight steel-clad
steamers with a single firm, Frazer, Trenholm & Co.—the latter now our
Secretary of the Treasury.
The President
indorsed a cutting rebuke to both the Secretary of War and a Mr. (now
Lieut.-Col.) Melton, A. A. General's office, to-day. It was on an order for a
quartermaster at Atlanta to report here and settle his accounts. Mr. M. had
written on the order that it was issued “by order of the President.” The
President said he was responsible for all orders issued by the War Department,
but it was a great presumption of any officer in that department to assume to
indorse on any paper that it was by his special order, and that, too, "by
command of the Secretary of War,” the usual form.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 262
The President was some indisposed and in bed, but not seriously ill. The members met in his bedroom. Seward had a paper for excluding blockade-runners and persons in complicity with the Rebels from the country.
John P. Hale's appointment to Spain was brought up. Seward tried to gloss it over. Wanted Hale to call and see me and make friends with Fox. Hale promised he would, and Seward thought he might get a passage out in a government vessel.
The capture and destruction of a large amount of tobacco at Fredericksburg has created quite a commotion. It was a matter in which many were implicated. Several have called on me to get permission to pass the blockade or have a gunboat to convoy them. One or more have brought a qualified pass from the President. Colonel Segar, the last of them, was very importunate. I told him, as I have all others, that I should not yield in this matter; that I was opposed on principle to the whole scheme of special permits to trade and had been from the time that Chase commenced it; that I was no believer in the policy of trading with public enemies, carrying on war and peace at the same time. Chase was the first to broach and introduce this corrupting and demoralizing scheme, and I have no doubt he expected to make political capital by it. His course in this matter does much to impair my confidence in him. It was one of many not over scrupulous intrigues. Fessenden followed in the footsteps of Chase, not from any corrupt motives, nor for any political or personal aspirations, but in order to help him in financial matters. He had a superficial idea that cotton would help him get gold, — that he must get cotton to promote trade and equalize exchange.
I called at the Executive Mansion at precisely ten this A.M. The President was not in. Mr. Attorney-General Speed came in soon after, and, while waiting for the President I stated to him the case. He said he had heard something from Mr. Seward concerning it last evening. On the question of giving exemplified copies of public records and trial by court martial he was partly decided that copies should be furnished. The President came in while we were discussing the subject, and said he had not fully determined, but his opinion from the consideration he had given it coincided with that of Mr. Speed, but he proposed to send for Mr. Seward, who shortly came. On hearing that the President had hesitated in signing the paper prepared by him and doubted its correctness, he was very much surprised, not to say chagrined; but when Speed joined in those doubts, Seward was annoyed, indeed quite angry. He denied that the public papers of any Department were to be subjected to private examination, and most emphatically denounced any idea of furnishing copies on the claim or demand of any State court or any court in a private suit. If it was conceded in a single instance, it must be in all. “And,” said he, pointing to the private shelves of the President, which he keeps locked, “they will demand those papers.” “But those,” said the President, “are private and confidential, a very different affair.'' “Call them,” said Seward, “what you please, you cannot retain them from Congress or the court if you concede the principle in this case. You cannot discriminate on their call; they will not admit the rectitude of your judgment and discrimination, if you give up to them the right of the demand now made on the Secretary of the Navy. He must not furnish them copies nor must he testify."
Without being convinced, the President was an attentive listener, and I think his faith was somewhat shaken. “We will look at this matter fully and carefully,” said he. “If the Secretary of State is right, we shall all of us be of his opinion, for this is a big thing, and this question must have been up and passed upon before this day.”
He then decided he would have a legal opinion from the Attorney-General, and framed questions for him to answer. Some modifications were suggested, and the matter closed for the present by the President instructing me not to give my evidence or copies till this question was decided.
Lieutenants-Commander) Preston arrived this P.M. with dispatches from Rear-Admiral Porter off Wilmington. The expedition has proved a failure. The powder-ship was a mere puff of smoke, doing no damage so far as is known. In this I am not disappointed. The Navy silenced the batteries and did, so far as I can learn, all that we had a right to expect. From Lieutenants-Commander] Preston's oral account, as well as from the dispatches, the troops appear to have behaved well. It was a mistake that General Butler, a civilian without military knowledge or experience in matters of this kind, should have been selected for this command. He is not an engineer, or an artillerist. He did not land. General Weitzel is wholly under his influence, and the two did nothing. Had the military been well commanded the results would, in some respects, have been different, and, I think, a success. General Butler has won laurels under the smoke and fire and fight of the Navy, — as at Hatteras or at New Orleans, — and he flattered himself that he should in like manner be favored at Wilmington.
General Grant ought never to have given him this command. It is unfortunate that Butler is associated with Grant, for he has great mental power which gives him undue ascendancy over his official superior. Certainly General Grant must have known that Butler was not the proper officer for such an expedition. Why did he give B. this command?
Fox says Grant occasionally gets drunk. I have never mentioned the fact to any one, not even to my wife, who can be trusted with a secret. There were such rumors of him when in the West.
Went with Fox to the President with Admiral Porter's dispatches. He read them carefully through, and after a very brief conversation I asked what was now to be done. The President said he must refer me to General Grant so far as the military part was concerned. He did not know that we wanted any advice on naval matters.
I said we had a large squadron there which we could not retain on that station unless something was to be effected, for it was wasting our naval strength. He said he hoped we had at this time enough vessels to close the ports to blockade-runners, and again said, “I must refer you to General Grant."
We left the President about 3.30 P.M. I had then much of my mail to get off. Did not leave the Department until ten. After dinner, took my usual walk. Fox called at my house, and a dispatch was framed to Grant as the President had directed. I said to Fox that it ought to go through Stanton, or that he should see it. When he was leaving and after he had got the door open, Fox said Stanton might not be at the Department, and would be likely to oppose if he was, and he doubted if it was best to say anything to him. Inconsiderately I assented, or rather did not dissent.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 212-4
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. 125-6
You will see that we have smashing work with the “Joint Stock company” for running the blockade and I hope we shall catch more of them, but I think you will have to look out for Wilmington, for they will go from Charleston there. Prentiss has fixed Georgetown by going inside as I wrote you. You had better write to McKean about Indian River, there is a possible tran-shipment there, for there is a road from that inlet clear up to Volusia. Except this place Indian River inlet one hd miles below Cape Carnavaral and Wilmington I think all else is as tight as it can be, though I have greatly regretted that the Stono operations have taken so many gunboats from Charleston at this momentbut they are likely to be important for I believe the rebels have discovered the egregious blunder they made in letting go the Forts on Coles island and the old Fort higher up and want to reoccupy the latter fortunately I got Drayton up in time with the Pawnee to go in there, adding Huron to his force—but I am waiting to hear the exact state of things with some earnestness.
The army people have no orders on the matter alluded to in the Confidential dispatch to me, but are studying out things and looking to occupying the Stono.
I see with regret the want of success in the James River with the iron boat, showing more invulnerability on the part of the Monitor than power of aggression.
Think coolly and dispassionately on the main object -remember there is no running the gauntlet, night or day—no bombardment of a week to fatigue and demoralize the defences of the Mississippi the merest shams in comparison—for thirteen long months it has been the remark of our blockading officers that the industry of these rebels in their harbour defences is beyond all praise, it has been ceaseless day and night Sumpter has been strengthened by a water battery attached to it—Cummings Point is covered by heavy works—the Middle ground likewise is piled and fortified-Fort Johnston that reduced Sumpter still improved. Castle Pinckney and Moultrie then come, and all this mind ye in a ‘cul de sac’ or bog. I merely allude to all this, that your own intelligent and brave mind may not be carried away by a superficial view of recent events, where the results have been thank God for his mercies, so great that the difficulties have been naturally overrated. I only have to add on this subject, that if the enemy do their duty as we expect to do ours, then it must be a 'do or die work—but this we are ready for and no mistake.
Since writing the above I have a letter from Drayton who has swept the Stono River up to the fort land. We had unpleasant reports yesterday through the Soldiers that the Gun boats had been driven back, though I told the Gen' there was not a word of truth in it.
I avail myself of Drayton Report to write a full account of our occupation there, having only been informed unofficially of the fact-it is a handsome thing and very important. They have no transportation, five transports have been taken from them lately. They have to throw themselves on me, but—they give me no notice until they are in a state of despondency or despair fortunately I have the Alabama and Bienville in, they will give them important aid; but I have to send my tugs to Beaufort 14 miles to get their troops, they have no Pilots, they have nothing. Still as I have cleared James' Island for them they are anxious to possess it.
They are credited with 18,000 men; if they land 9 thousand they will do well. Wright is in Edisto where our people, Rhind's command are doing everything for them-he is to march over to the Stono, also. They are very helpless. They sent a party to cut the R. R. from Port Royal Ferry, but it was not left to Stevens, and the party came back minus a captain and a private, having done nothing. All this only for your own ear.
I send a boy by Bienville with some arms (trophies) for you to dispose of—the sword is for yrself from Pulaski—a note inside to you explains.
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Please order that the Bienville must leave in two weeks,
without fail. Oh that Flag! She left the 9th of March!
Old Sedgwick is good deal of an elephant with his beef, but it is a good thing and we have got along!
Don't fail to read Drayton's report.
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. 121-4
