Flag Officer Samuel F. Dupont to Gustavus V. Fox, March 14, 1862

Off St. Augustine

14 March 62

My Dear Sir

All these reports are interesting. Do have them published, they encourage the officers more than anything else.

The great want of the Govt. is an official Organ for National effect, if not for Political. The Nat, Intell^g will publish everything. I think the Ass. Press concern a curse.

I hope to catch the Casslin—but I have nothing to cross that Mosquitoe Inlet bar, but this ship's launches and they are away up at Jacksonville—and lucky they are there. I am sending to Wright to hurry troops there—he thought it ought not to be occupied—but it must be to secure loyal people.

I rec^d the Dept's mail—will take an early opp^y. to write about the blockade. None of those vessels reported from London and Liverpool ever dare approach the coast, showing what they think of the blockade— but transship at Nassau N.P. aided and abetted by those English hypercritical scoundrels—into vessels about the size of our launches.

The Fingal was the last foreign vessel that got into Savannah, after the gale of the 24, but has never got out and is sold to the rebels.

The Isabel and Nashville, with local Pilots of extraordinary skill, fogs and accident, and Steam have eluded us—but how many have been kept out? Skiddy run through Lord Cochrane's whole fleet blockading one port. Steam has quadrupled the advantage to those who run the blockade, over those who cover the ports.

But the game is up with them now, I promise you. The merchants ought to be glad the Nashville is in. This place Smyrna which I knew nothing about, has let in good many arms I am now satisfied.

Much disappointed about the Vermont, but expected nothing less. A clever old Port Captain would have taken that place.

Now my friend for the last time let me implore you to send coal. I have begged in vain. Two weeks more and this whole fleet will be laid up. Lardner writes only one vessel has arrived and this gulf people swallow that up.

The coming Equinoxial gales, will upset half the ships I have—all their Paddle wheels are nearly out of the water.

I can't tell you how I feel about it. I have written and begged Lenthall and you—but it produces nothing —two miserable schooners on the way, which will not both of them fill up the Bienville.

Yrs faithfully

S. F. DUPONT

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. 112-4

Gustavus V. Fox to Flag Officer Samuel F. Dupont, February 28, 1862

Navy Department

March 6” 1862.

My dear Commodore:

I had a long talk with McClellan to-day to see if he had any objections to giving Sherman orders to go ahead with the first programme. I was rather surprised to find that he did not know why it had not been carried out, and upon comparing notes more freely, we both found that we were entirely ignorant of what was going on or intended. Meigs was with us, and he had a letter from Sherman one month old, which seemed to intimate that the other expedition was about to move. Under these circumstances, an order will be given by both Departments, suggesting that the matter go forward at once, unless incompatible with some operation now on hand. I do not think, as I have several times written you, that the Government place much importance upon the acquisition of Savannah, beyond the possession of Pulaski, but the recovery of a whole state is a moral victory that cannot be too highly estimated. The people expected Sherman to march at once upon Savannah or Charleston, which was ridiculous, and impossible, though I think he could have cut the railroad. He and his compeers, expected the gun boats to go directly into the Savannah river, and dash up to the city, which was impossible, so that a month ago he seemed to be waiting for the Navy to go South. In the meantime there is an immense force and the sickly season almost upon us. I look forward to it with dire apprehension. The Nashville has got into Wilmington, Southern accounts say by hoisting the American flag and going through our ships. A regular trade seems to be carried on from Nassau and Havana to some parts of our Southern coasts in small vessels. I suppose it cannot be entirely prevented, of course, but I do not believe they use Charleston and Fernandina as they pretend. There are eight steamers fitting out in England for the Southern coast, and the blockade would give us very serious trouble were it not for the desperate condition of the rebels, owing to their sudden reverses in the west. I think Europe will now withdraw their material aid. The Vermont, having met with serious losses, the extent of which are yet unknown, the Relief is now loading for Port Royal. I hope Lenthall and Harwood keep you well up in ammunition and coal. The resolution for you went through unanimously and I trust we shall obtain for you higher honors yet. The Maratanza “double Ender” is nearly ready at Boston and we will send her down for Rodgers. The Miami steered badly but it was the fault of the constructor at Philadelphia. The Octorara is a gem. We shall get off the Vermont again at the earliest possible moment, but she is not yet saved, and I hear has lost her masts. Any little trophies from your district would be most gratefully received by the members of Congress, and as they constantly ask me for such, I have ventured to ask you to make up a box of the most trifling things. One word more, and good night. Don't write confidential letters upon a former flag officer to your short friend.

Yours most truly,

G. V. FOX.

Flag Officer S. F. DuPont, G. V. FOX.

Comd’g So Atlantic Blockd’g Squadron

Port Royal

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. 109-11

Commandant Samuel F. DuPont to Gustavus V. Fox, December 16, 1861

Private

Wabash, 16 Dec

Port Royal

My Dear Sir

I have been merged in reports, surveys, sick, broken machinery &c, so this mail by Atlantic our favorite steamer only takes just such things and no general report of my proceedings which Mr. Welles and yrself would like to have. So I will jot down whatever comes up first.

1". Sherman thinks Fernandina wholly secondary now, and it must fall with Savannah. While I want to take it, more because it entered the original programme, and because it is a nice naval operation, though I am much of the same opinion. With this Harb. St. Helena, and Tybee Sound in the very centre of the stations we have as many harbours of refuge as I want — but I think it may help the Union people to hoist the flag there and so soon as Davis closes up Charleston with the Stone vessels I will take the matter up. In the meantime the Genl has unloaded the vessels — for which he was paying exorbitantly I mean those intended for F. and when I can get ready — if he gives me a Regiment with the marines, it may be quite enough to hold the place. The taking it will not be much, with my present knowledge of it.

2. I shall have Charleston closed this week. Davis was to sail this morg — but the Easterly weather makes work impossible on these bars, particularly with the hulks drawing so much water — they have been very troublesome, but will all pay in some way or other. I gave two yesterday unfit to go to sea again to the QrMaster for wharf and breakwater. The same for sheltering a landing on Tybee very necessary. Davis thinks he will succeed in closing main entrance at Charleston and so do I. Boutelle thinks not, but we will see — if it lasts till March or April it will be worth all the trouble.

3. The Sabine came in yesterday in want of water. St. Lawrence already in for the same purpose. Susquehannah out of coal and then the lame ducks in machinery and the easterly wind keeping in Drayton who with a Division is going to North Edisto and Stono. I felt almost sick at seeing so many vessels in port—but there will be a scattering tomorrow.

I cannot water the Sabine from our resources, she wants some repairs and she may as well go North. Ringgold has shown a good spirit and wishes to be fitted up and sent immediately back, but I declare to you in confidence you can keep her if you can find any use for her but do send me a gun boat or two. The St. Lawrence ought to go home too but I may force her into Brunswick and I am going to send R. Rodgers to reconnoitre there.

The Seminole is next to nothing because she can catch nothing. The Forbes goes to-day. I recommend sending her crew to the Recg. Ship and laying her up until the repairs are completed and then recommissioning — in this way we get rid of poor Newcomb without any notification to him — he is wholly incompetent to command such a vessel and she was the most valuable steamer of her size in my squadron. I have given her rifle gun to Missroon — who is anxious in his responsible position but the very man to be there. I am hurrying Sherman to get his guns down there.

4. All well at St. Helena under Nicholson and Truxtun. The Dale is paying for herself there. Henry Andrew just back from there — made the trip over via Beaufort and Coosaw in five hours! Luce went in her — reports highly as every body does of Mather her Capt. I am going to collect the Cotton again around that Sound letting the Andrew go around. There is much to be had and Nicholson and Truxtun want employment. The Gov. here shirks this cotton question, but I do not care for that. I collect it to keep it from being burnt.

5. Many thanks for Vermont. She will be all in all. She should have a condenser and a place fitted for Machine Shop. Sailing vessels are a drug, but steamers have their weak side — the breaking downs break my heart. Unadilla, Forbes, Flag, Florida, Seminole, tinkering all the time, and the three first done — Susquehannah touch and go. If you would like me to break up the inland Rebel Steamers I must have more Gunboats. Where is the Adger — all this time at Balt^o?

The most active vessel I have after the Gunboats is the Pawnee since she is under Drayton. How came his predecessor in command again after giving up so fine a ship, every one is speaking about it here.

Sherman is preparing for his campaign. I think he knows what he is about, and seems confident of doing something. I wish I could feel any degree of confidence in his troops. Some of our officers the other night while up beyond Beaufort, went out to the outer pickets and found every mother's son asleep and that is not all, they were a long time awaking them.

I am asked every day about that detailed report — do have it published. In great haste

Yrs most truly

S. F. Dupont

A Condenser in the Vermont — see King's report.

Tell Bridge no tobacco nor soap in Relief. Much wanted.

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. 78-81

The Vermont Found

BOSTON, March 22. – The steamer Saxon, from search of the Vermont, put into Holmes’ Port.  She found the Vermont on the 15th inst. in lat. 36, log. 65 deg. 30 min. and left her on the 18th in a better condition than before reported.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

The Vermont Safe

BOSTON, March 24. – Lieut. Shean, who went out as the representative of the Navy department on board the steamer Saxon in search of the Vermont, has returned.  He reports that the Vermont will undoubtedly make for Port Royal, and that not the slightest fears need be entertained for her ultimate safety, as she is as light as any vessel, and she has got provisions sufficient for more than a year, with water filters undrawed.  He further reports that all on board are in good spirits.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

The Vermont Crippled

BOSTON, March 11. – The J. W. Chapman arrived from New York last night and reports that on the 2nd inst. she fell in with the frigate Vermont.  She lay by her till 6 P. M. and left her in latitude 39.45, longitude 68.8, drifting southward, her rudder, sails and anchor gone and entirely helpless.  She wanted powerful tugs at once.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

Another Prize Captured

NEW YORK, March 11. – The boat Edmund Dwight, from Trinidad, Cuba, reports that on 28th inst., in lat. 25 and long. 74, she spoke the U. S. gunboat Saxon, having in tow the British schooner British Queen, captured off Wilmington, N. C., while attempting to run the blockade.  The Saxon was in search of the U. S. frigate Vermont.

The brig Isabel, Capt. Cama, arrived at this port to-day from Port-au-Prince, reports that a sever shock of an earthquake was felt at that place on the 19th of February, at 4 o’clock A. M.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

From New York

NEW YORK, March 11.

The bark Edmund Dwight, from Trinidad, Cuba, reports that on the 8^th inst., in lat. 55, lon. 74, she spoke the U. S. gunboat Saxon, having in tow the British schr. British Queen, captured off Wilmington, N. C., while attempting to run the blockade.  The Saxon was in search of the U. S. frigate Vermont.

The brig Isabel Buernan arrived at this port to-day, from Port au Prince.

A sever shock of an earthquake was felt at that place, on the 19^th of February, at 4 o’clock a.m.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 1

Boston, March 11 [1862]

The schr. J. W. Chapman arrived from New York last evening.  She reports that on the 2d inst. she fell in with the frigate Vermont.  She lay by her till the 6^th, and left her in lat. 39.45, long 68:08, drifting southeast, at two knots per hour, rudder, sails and anchors gone, and entirely helpless.  She wants powerful tugs at once.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 1

Boston, March 4 [1862]

The steam tug Boardman, of N. Y., arrived to-day, and reports speaking [to] a fisherman who saw the frigate Vermont on the 1^st inst. at anchor on George’s bank, with her masts cut away.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1