Gustavus V. Fox to Flag Officer Samuel F. Dupont, June 11, 1862

Navy Department         

June 11 1862 

My Dear Flag Officer 

I have your notes, and today the box came, and the distribution shall be made in your name as you request. I notice the very important move you are making in the Stono and send you herewith the Topog. chart of the same. I also obtained an order for the Vanderbilt to proceed immediately with schooners for transportation to Hunter. I also obtained the revocation of an order which was made out withdrawing his cavalry regiment. 

Until Richmond falls it is impossible, of course, to give him men, or you the gunboats. What a pity, when the key of the city is within reach. The 'Flag' sailed Saturday and the South Carolina takes this. We finally gave an order that the Flag should be taken out if her engine would move. 

The Comr's are not satisfied unless these vessels can be turned into regular men of war. I looked into the matter of orders to marine officers and find that it is conformable to "usage.” Davis has wiped out the western rebel navy, and our forces are investing Mobile. 

The Powhatan is promised early in July, which means the last, S.C. Rowan to command her. We will send her to you. Many thanks for the sword. I have a memento of most of the battles, presented by those whose valor gave victory to our cause and therefore doubly valuable to me. I enclose you two notes which explain themselves. I shall esteem it a favor if you will give directions to have this body placed in the coffin and sent to the Father, who is my old and dear Pastor, and whose son received his appointment at my hands, and died in the service of his country under your command. The coffin went out by the Massachusetts, previous to her present trip. 

Very truly yours 

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. 128-9

Diary of Gideon Welles: Thursday, March 24, 1864

Tom and Admiral Dahlgren returned from Fortress Monroe, but without the remains of young Dahlgren.

We are running short of sailors and I have no immediate remedy. The army officers are not disposed to lose good men, and seem indifferent to the country and general welfare if their service can get along. Commodore Rowan writes that the times of the men are running out and no reenlistments; the army is paying enormous bounties. Between thirty and forty vessels are waiting crews.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 545-6

Gideon Welles to Commander Stephen Clegg Rowan, April 5, 1861

Navy Department

April 5th. l861

Commander S. C. Rowan,

Com'dg U.S.S. “Pawnee”

Norfolk, Va.

Sir:

After the “Pawnee” shall have been provisioned at Norfolk, you will proceed with her to sea, and on the morning of the 11th instant, appear off Charleston bar, ten miles distant from and due east of the lighthouse where you will report to Captain Samuel Mercer, of the "Powhatan," for special service. Should he not be there, you will await his arrival.

I am, resp'y, your obt. servt.

Gideon Welles,

Secretary of the Navy.

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. 26

Diary of Gideon Welles: Sunday, April 19, 1863

Several letters from Du Pont on unimportant matters, but no detailed reports of the fight from himself or officers. Advised with Fox and thought best for him to go to New York and see Admiral Gregory and Captain Rowan with a view to more effective action if necessary. Nothing certain when we shall hear from Du Pont. In the mean time it is important to prepare for an emergency.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 276

Official intelligence form the Fleet

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30. – Official dispatches from Com. Goldsborough, dated Jan. 26th, arrived this morning.  Seventeen of the naval vessels were at that time in the Sound over and beyond the bulkhead under immediate command of Commodore Rowan in full readiness for operations.  General Burnside was preparing his forces to move in connection with the fleet.  Commodore Goldsborough says things now look hopeful, and I sincerely trust we shall be soon at the enemy.  Any decided approach now to this quarter on that part of the Rebels with all the force they can muster would certainly result in their speedy capture and destruction.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Latest from Roanoke Island

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.

A special messenger arrived this morning bring the following dispatch:

U. S. FLAG STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,

off Roanoke Island, Feb. 9.

Roanoke Island is ours.  The military authorities struck to us yesterday.  Their means of defence were truly formidable, and they were used with a determination worthy of a better cause.  They consisted of two elaborately constructed works, together mouthing 22 heavy guns, 3 of them being 100-pounders rifled; four other batteries, mounting together 20 guns, and some of them rifled; 8 steamers, mounting 2 guns each and each having a rifled gun with a diameter of a 32-pounder; a prolonged obstruction of sunken vessels and piles to thwart our advance, and altogether a body of men numbering scarcely less than 5,000, of whom 3,000 are now our prisoners.

The fighting commenced on the morning of the 7^th about 11 a. m., and was continued till dark.  It was resumed at an early hour and lasted until late in the afternoon, when by a bold charge by our army the rebel flag was made to succumb and our own was hoisted everywhere on the island in its place.  No attack could have been more completely executed, and it was carried out precisely in accordance with the arrangements made before the expedition left Cape Hatteras Inlet.

(Signed,)

J. [sic] M. GOLDSBOROUGH,

Flag Officer.

SECOND DISPATCH.

Just as I closed my dispatch of yesterday I received reliable information that the rebel steamers which escaped had gone to Elizabeth City, and thereupon I immediately ordered Com. Rowan to take thirteen of our steamers under his command and go in pursuit of them, and also, if practicable, to execute another service, namely: the destruction of the North river – a link of the Albemarle and Chesapeake canal.  The way he has already accomplished the first part of it his own preliminary report – a copy of which I herewith inclose [sic] – will inform you.

I am, &c.,

J. M. GOLDSBOROUGH.

U. S. STEAMER DELAWARE,

Off Elizabeth City, Feb. 10.

Sir:  I have the honor to report that I met the enemy off this place this A. M. at 9 o’clock, and after a very sharp engagement, have succeeded in destroying or capturing his entire naval force, and silencing or destroying his battery on Cobb’s Point.  The only vessel saved from destruction is the Ellis, Capt. J. M. Cook, who was wounded, and is at present on board the ship.  I have other prisoners.  I am happy to say that our casualties are few, considering the warmth of the enemy’s fire – say two or three killed and some wounded.  The conduct of the gallant men I have the honor to command is worthy of all praise.  None of our vessels are severely injured.  I shall leave here a small force, and visit the canals, and have a look into other places before I return.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

J. [sic] C. ROWAN, U. S. N.

No official report, but merely a private letter, up to 1 o’clock to-day, has been received from Gen. Burnside.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, February 15, 1862, p. 1