Unofficial
Flag Ship 'Wabash'
Port Royal Harbor S.C.
January 11 l862
Dear Sir,
I have only a short time to write by the Rhode Island now
here for a few hours on her way north: but I cannot let her go without
answering one part of your letter of the 4th of January. You regret that the
second expedition did not proceed and say that “the original plan ought to have
been carried out because,” (in a former part of your letter in the same
connection,) “the political condition of things renders it imperative that we
should possess all the Southern ports possible.”
Will you permit me to remind you, that the original plan of
the expedition contemplated the seizure and occupation of two ports, as harbors
of refuge; and that I have taken seven ports, and now actually hold five ports,
of which three are in South Carolina, and two in Georgia; and of which five
ports, three are held by me in connection with the army.
I received by this mail of to-day an important letter of
December 10th. This reminds me to renew my earnest desire [previously
expressed] to be in more rapid and regular communication with the Department
than by the Supply Ships; and I would suggest that an understanding should be
had between the Commandant of the Navy Yard, the Army Quartermaster, and the
Post Office, at New York.
But do not suppose from anything above, that I have lost any
portion of my interest in the Florida business. It is only a question of ships;
and it will be prosecuted as soon as it can be done without abandoning other
points. I am perfectly posted up in reference to it; but I ought to have one or
two efficient vessels of moderate draught, like the Richmond or Hartford,
because the large men of war of the squadron are excluded. I should like also
to have four additional regular gun boats, which would be allotting me
eight only out of the twenty three.
The withdrawal of the R. B. Forbes, a most useful vessel,
reduces my squadron. The Wyandotte is almost useless. The withholding of the
mortar fleet makes me still farther unhappy.
But as I said to you in one of my previous letters, it is
for the Department to judge what it can spare and what it cannot; and to this I
cheerfully submit. It is watch my movements, have all been flying about like
moths around a lamp.
5th. Seven Gunboats, including the four regulars, are
trying to get into Savannah River under John Rodgers, guarding the Soldiers who
are putting up a battery on Jones Island, a work I think well of, except for
the delay and the absorption of my force in guarding troops. Worst of
all, I must have my regular gunboats and regular officers, and yet to leave
only volunteer people with “Western Worlds” and “Merry Andrews,” makes me
quake, but I shall be absent a precious short time. The weather is bad and
unsettled yet.
6th. The return of “Savannah” and “St. Lawrence” I think may
give you aid: the crew of the latter would do to send to Foote. You will find
in history, not many Generals or Admirals who have volunteered to part with a
portion of their force; but I really thought these ships were wasted here, and
I brought myself up to the scratch by remembering that I had captured Port
Royal with 134 guns, while I had outside some 163 belonging to my command.
In this connection let me remind you — not to complain, but
to keep myself right — that of the 5 screw frigates I have one — that of the
six first class Sloops I have not one — that of the 4 side wheels I have one — that of the 8 Second Class Sloops (Screws) I
have four but two of these are the smallest and most worthless of the set — the
Pocahontas and the Seminole, — Balch makes up a great deal it is true for the
lameness of the former — he is a fine brave officer — and four regular
gunboats. So you will perceive I have ten built men of war in my squadron, nine
only in fact, for the Pocahontas cannot be called one. Where I am going I
cannot but feel the want of more of the Mohican class, and one ship of the
Brooklyn class at least.
7th. Resignations of young Engineers and Acting Masters come
in occasionally. I dissuade and do the best I can. The Department's orders are
excellent on that head and I listen to no applications for leave of absence.
8th. Despatched “Bienville,” yesterday off St. Augustine in
addition to “Key Stone” to watch “Miramon” with powder, gone to Nassau to renew
Register, letter about her yesterday from Shufeldt.
9". Take care about changing officers, or withdrawing
them. We are very low, it is like changing front before an enemy. These men
should be relieved and not called home.
10". Take care of the Academy — dont call away another
class or you will leave it an A.B.C. School.
11th. Please let me know how Acting Masters should rank,
when they come in contact with Midshipmen Acting Masters. I had to decide a
case on board Flag yesterday. The Midshipman Acting Master (Weidman) is a
superior gunner and drill officer. The Acting Master (Warren) superior as a
seaman and in date. I decided on the merits of the case and the necessity of
the moment, and gave it to the latter, but I go for putting all the regular
officers now in service in advance of the outside appointments, for gunnery is
more than seamanship in a Steam Navy.
12th. My friend, I do not like the looks of things abroad in
spite of the settlement. So soon as your Gunboats and present Steamers are
done, we shall have enough for this rebellion; the Nation should arouse itself
and prepare against Foreign interference ironclad ships &c. Every man
should live on one half of his means for five years, all, except the man who
labors for his daily food, until the country is in a state of defence, and I
would show John Bull and Johnny Crapaud whether I would do what I pleased with
our own harbors, by closing one entrance to New York and rendering the other
impregnable, and so on, along the Coast. Our independence and nationality are
in danger — for God's sake, drop the negro question, it is dying of inanition,
without any necessity to place ourselves legally and constitutionally wrong,
thereby offending our weaker brethren, let us save the Country first from
enemies within and without .
I am much interested in the contraband within our lines — they
tell me there are from eight to ten thousand — they are daily increasing at
Edisto and I have induced the General to send a Regiment to Edisto. I look for
great work there when we get through No. 2.
But the contraband question is a very intricate one — how to
employ them — who is to control — what protection are they to have — what
authority to be given to those who work them. The various so called agents who
come down here, more or less accredited, the collectors of cotton, collectors
of negro statistics, the people of God, the best of the party who want to
establish schools, do not all agree. Then we have the philanthropic newspaper
correspondents, whose special happiness seems to be to abuse a General, who
surrounded with extreme difficulties, is doing his best to overcome them. One
thing is certain, that while the most rabid Abolitionist has not exaggerated
their degraded condition, the transition state has not improved it. In England
(I hate to quote her now for anything) a commission would be appointed by
Parliament of wise unprejudiced disinterested and practical individuals to
examine and report. Gov. Fish and good Bishop Ames had better be sent here than
on a very doubtful mission to Richmond.
Do not mistake from my using the word Contraband the
relatively few who happen to be employed by the Government and the negro
population on the plantations who are without work.
The Hartford called and has passed on!! But Davis will post
you up about her — dont fail to ask him.
My warm regards to Mr. Welles.
Yours faithfully
S. F. DuPONT
G. V. Fox Esq,
Asst. Secy. of 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. 100-5
