[Telegram—Copy]
Brooklyn, April 1st, 1861.
Secretary of the Navy,
The “Powhatan” after landing her stores went out of commission at two
o'clock. Crew on board the “North Carolina,” officers mostly left with their
leaves of absence. I shall agreeably to the last orders refit the “Powhatan”
for sea, with quickest dispatch. As there will be but few men left not wanted
for the “Powhatan,” I shall not send the men to Norfolk in the chartered
steamer, but remain ready to send them in the “Harriet Lane,” if so ordered.
A H foote,
For Commandant.
SOURCES: 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. 17
