Annapolis, M'd
April 29 '61
D. V.
We reached Old Point yesterday without incident, and I dined
with the Domicks in the Fort — who soon leave for Fort Hamilton. Com0
Pendergrast in the Cumberland is blockading at Hampton Roads. Fort Monroe is
preparing for the crisis and will permit no batteries to be erected near it. It
is a magnificent work but should have more troops. The communication is open
thanks to the Masstts troops. The famous N. Y. 7th declined a duty
because an overwhelming force were said to be in advance, declined the
order in writing. So the Masstts troops took the rejected duty
FOLLOWED by the 7th. Don't say anything about this because there must be no
quarrels now. Maryland has refused to secede so Washington is safe. We hear of
a truce but it must not be until Richmond and Norfolk are occupied. Then it
will take us until frost to get ready for great movements. There will be no
difficulty about getting our folks from Washington. My old schoolmate Gen.
Butler is in command here and will give me .troops transportation anything for
them and sends off a train for my especial benefit this P.M. The Yankee will
remain here until I return and probably go to Como Pendergrast who
wishes her in Hampton Roads, I shall remain in Washington long enough to get
them out and probably return with them.
It is delightful to find Masstts troops occupying
all prominent points, familiar faces carrying the glorious flag through to the
Capital.
God bless my own dear wife and give her strength and health.
Aff
Gus
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. 41-2