Confidential
Wabash H Roads
Monday, 2 P.M. 28th
Oct.
My Dear Sir
The very rough weather continued until eleven today, the sun
is bright and sea getting down.
Shawsheen nearly lost, has come on disabled, and I sent her
to Balto for repairs. I see Ellen and Whitehall had also to take
refuge.
Calhoun stopped at Barnegat and then Abesecomb.
Vixen just in, our Coast Survey vessel. Her executive off.
Mr. Platt, a most experienced coaster tells me he has never seen a worse sea
running on the coast. I am satisfied now we should have lost our ferry boats
and tugs and some two or three transports would have had to return. The tide
will let us swing so as to go at 5 in the morning.
I have been reminded of the Panic about the safety of city
of Washington — it is repeated here on the water talk. My cabin has been full
all day of army QrMasters, Generals, and Steamer Captains. It is now
ascertained the Ocean Queen can make 15,000 Galls a day, and the Vanderbilt
25,000! So the enemy has retired or is outnumbered for a time anyhow. Vandalia
is off with the coal ships.
Between ourselves old Wool is an old goose and not at all
fit to be here.
I made the Midship here and one on the Vandalia Masters
because their juniors had appointments, and a master's mate was promoted over
the one in the Vandalia. I felt sure you would approve under the circumstances
and they are very grateful.
Long and deep pouring over of charts. I think the Genl feels
anxious at the amount of men the rebels can throw by rail to B. S. is impatient
and frets when his QrMasters have doleful reports to make, but I am more and
more impressed by his evident military knowledge and spirit.
In haste
Faithfully
S. F. Dupont
Hon. G. V. Fox
Ass. Secretary
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. 61-2
