Private
Wabash 1. June. 62
My Dear Friend
I must have a slight growl. You ought not to take the 'Flag' from me. I nursed her, planned her repairs, she is important off Charleston to catch all these fellows coming. Keystone and Flambeau are the only steamers that have much of heels—she has both heels and long guns. Do send her. The Merrimac is dead and I don't believe her ghost will rise.
Aff.
S. F. D.P.
Make Goldsboro take care of Wilmington, the four Steamers we caught were all going there if foiled at Charleston.
Please forward the enclosed to Davis. We call him Flag offr. I suppose you will make him one.
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
