Private
Navy Department
June 3d 1862
My Dear Flag Officer
I have yours of the 25th May. I noticed in the papers the
approach into Sv'n'h. I also notice your remarks about the Harbor of
Charleston. It may be impossible, but the crowning act of this war ought to be
by the navy. I feel that my duties are two fold; first, to beat our southern
friends; second, to beat the Army. We have done it so far and the people
acknowledge and give us the credit.
Look at the New Orleans affair. It was like the Port Royal
fight, the soldiers looked on and saw their forts knocked over. I know
if it be possible, you will go on, and we will send you the “Monitor” and
“Galena” and some double end boats to rendezvous at Bulls Bay so soon as we
finish here. Goldsborough has had nothing to do except to watch and protect the
Army, and consequently has lost in public estimation, therefore I am
exceedingly anxious that he shall have the opportunity to take Fort Caswell
with ships, which he is confident of doing, when they are at your service. I
feel this is due to Goldsborough because Congress has not yet acted on his vote
of thanks. Halleck never mentioned gun boats in his dispatches, but Beauregard
renders them full justice—so do the people. The army never do us
justice, not even when we win it, and I could convince you of this in all your operations
if it did not make this letter too long. Farragut is nearly to Memphis and the
Mississippi is ours. Mobile will then fall, which finishes the Gulf.
Goldsborough will certainly take Caswell which leaves Charleston for the
closing act, so far as the navy is concerned. As I know your feelings are the
same as my own, I can add nothing, except that the “Monitor” can go all over
the harbor and return with impunity. She is absolutely impregnable.
Davis has relieved Foote, and Lardner, McKean. Farragut having
gone up the river with his feet and left a very small force off Mobile, where
the rebels have quite a naval force, we were forced to send the Susquehanna
there under Hitchcock.
I knew you would feel her loss but there was no help for it.
You shall however have the Powhatan or her equal. We have
about twenty iron clad vessels under weigh, fit to meet on the ocean that power
that has attempted our humiliation. If I can live to help administer the navy
against that power, my highest ambition would be gratified. The capture of
prizes by your Squadron, leaves little to be desired. The escape from
Charleston of the Economist, troubled Mr. Seward a good deal, but the late
successes of yourself and McKean are very satisfactory. What you say about
Rodgers is true. The Secretary seemed some time since, a little inclined to give
the Academy to Foote, but he has not made up his mind yet—besides Foote has
nearly killed himself by devotion to his country. I pray you give us Charleston
if possible, but in any event, the Dept relies upon your judgment. We should be
inclined to skip Fort Caswell if you consider it imperative, for the Fall of
Charleston is the fall of Satan's Kingdom.
Very truly Yours &c.
G. V. 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. 126-8
