Flag Officer Samuel F. Dupont to Gustavus V. Fox, January 11, 1862

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

Flag Officer Samuel F. Dupont to Gustavus V. Fox, January 8, 1862

Private

Wabash 8" J any 62

Port Royal      

My Dear Sir

One word on a subject which has considerable effect on the morale of officers — viz — the publication or non publication of official reports.

I always intended to have suggested to Mr Welles the publication of my reports or such portions of them as could see the light by way of keeping up consecutive and correct information of our doings here, and thus carry along the antidote to the mistakes made and ignorance of letter writers. Some people are writing yet to know what has become of our people driven away from Tybee. The country believe at this moment that we are shut up in Port Royal and have not advanced a foot—while I am holding seven harbours of refuge in lieu of the two you required me to take. I say seven because South Edisto, and Ossabaw are nullified by North Edisto and St. Helena it being between the two, and Wassaw inlet covering Ossibaw.

Now comes the point. You have lately published some such reports and reconnaissances and not others — so that some officers are chronicled while others in equal operations are not. Drayton's report on N. Edisto I see reported—it is very interesting but his two previous ones on St. Helena much more so, and on the negro condition especially coming from him would have caused a good deal of effect.

So with R. Rodger's reports. You gave his capital one on Wassaw but not the one on Ossibaw. And then of all others, you have not published Davis's on yr favorite stone fleet. Now, different officers go on these Exp. and it is on their acct that I write.

I see more than I want of my own name, and wish to live through my officers.

I am going to lose two Lts. Please let me have Lt. Mackenzie. Excuse great haste.

Yrs most faithfully

S F DP

What are your views about the commanding officers for Dale and Wyandotte?

Upshur has applied for one or the other, on principle he being Senior — the last has filled an immediate emergency. Luce too has to go to the Academy and will go North on R. Island. The young Masters must work up in their places but Luce and Upshur are tiptop men and Rodgers was so sorry to lose them and then Corbin I presume will go soon.

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. 99-100

Commandant Samuel F. DuPont to Gustavus V. Fox, January 4, 1862

Confidential.

Port Royal, Jany. 4, 62.

My Dear Sir

The Vanderbilt played us a scurvy trick yesterday, having gone off without our mail, paid no attention to a gun from this ship, nor to a Tug which followed her out to the bar making signals all the time. Whether it was accident or design for a particular purpose — I cannot say.

The Oriental takes to-day the official reports of a clever joint Expedition, well conducted on both sides, in which the gun boats have been signally successful and drawing as much admiration from the troops engaged, as the whole fleet did on the day of the capture of the Forts.

The getting of them up the Port Royal or Beaufort River and then into the Coosaw (our Potomac) but thoroughly swept now, was a great feat, like the Spaniards over the dykes in Holland. Of course they often grounded, but they care no more for this than putting a mud flat on the beach. With light anchors hanging from the bowsprit and the armed boats from this ship they were even turned in their length — it having been asserted they would not be able to do this in either of the rivers. The truth is, wherever Raymond Rodgers is, things are sure to go right — he possesses more enterprise with care and forethought combined than I have met with before. Gen. Stevens has sent me a handsome letter in reference to the cooperation, semi-official. Our howitzers under Irwin composed their only field artillery. This army code of signals is very superior, Rodgers and Stevens kept up the most perfect communication. The general impression is that the rebels did not come up to the mark, after a great deal of taunting and invitation heretofore for our troops to “dare come” on the fort land, and leave the islands. Our shell did immense execution. A Colonel out with the skirmishers could see them burst among the rebel troops within the line of works—four men literally torn in fragments were killed by the bursting of one. Stevens thinks Evans was in command — the Leesburg man.

Now My Dear friend a little business. In order to carry out the above Expedition which has raised very much the morale of our troops, and in spite of themselves giving them a still higher opinion of us, I had to withdraw Ammen from Edisto, leaving Budd shaking in his boots lest the Charleston Navy come down upon him. The Ottawa had to come up from Tybee leaving Drayton with a lame duck the Wyandotte, and the old Vandalia, with heavy fire rafts building up the river. A three hundred feet one having been cut adrift by a loyal man from under Pulaski, was caught in Tybee and gave us excellent timber. The Pembina had to be taken from old Gillis threatened by the Georgia Navy in Wassaw, the 'Andrew' being disabled in her rudder. The blockading ships are getting out of coal and how I can relieve them I can hardly tell. Now, most important operations are pending between the Comdg General and myself based on naval and army reconnaissances and contraband knowledge, of communications from Wassaw inlet into the Savannah River, also into the latter, through the islands on its northern or left bank, such as Venus and Elba—allowing Pulaski to be cut off from all supplies, a vastly better plan than a regular approach with mortars, which will cost a half million of dollars. I send a report from Captain Gilmore and wish I had John Rodgers' sent up last night from Wassaw (another man worth his weight in Gold) and you would then have some insight into our plans. We can debouche into the Savannah river between Pulaski and Jackson, rather near the latter, and hold the river there against Tattnall while the troops are occupying Elba and fortifying it. On the mainland there is hard ground enough for Sherman to move on the city, but he must have cavalry; he can get there by boats through the inland waters and is now drawing up piles from Wall's Cut, sunk after the fight here and a hulk sunk besides. Now I don't want to press you — but I am spread to my utmost capacity and if you cannot send me more of the regular Gunboats and particularly one or two of the new side wheel ones, (one of them to be given to John Rodgers) why I must wait — because you are the judge and not me where they are most wanted. I won't growl, but you have sent me nothing yet. Another item. Our army friends beat us all to pieces on the means of communicating and transportation, and I have to fall back upon them oftener than is pleasant to them — for example I did not dare remove my force from Wassaw and had to get them to tow down a coal ship for me, and by the way this brought up a question of insurance and further compensation to the Collier, please see to this in future charters. I have already asked the Department for a dispatch vessel. I dare not send the Tugs outside. No Commodores Perry nor Barney yet, and what has become of that Light vessel! Coal, Coal too, please tell Lenthall — fortunately the army has long strings of coal vessels and have given us one to-day. Please also tell Mr. Lenthall three of his carpenters have gone home and we want more, a good boat builder among them, sending none but such as are willing to stay. Please hurry on the Forbes and what has become of Watmough! No machinery yet for Unadilla a painful lame bird and an eye sore in the harbor — if her commander a very worthy man is promoted do send a flash of a fellow out to her.

Steedman has sent me word that the Nassau people are going to try Cedar Keys, afraid of the North East gales on this side and so many of their small craft having been run into the breakers the last by the Gem of the Sea at Georgetown. I am dispatching the Florida there though it is on McKean's ground, for she may catch the Gladiator or her cargo distributed, and she will see to the safety of the Lighthouses &c. The Rail Road from Cedar Keys has caused this diversion from this Coast.

We are getting short of officers. The Vandalia is very short.

We had news from Wassaw last night that the Negroes were to have a stampede from Savannah—the Fingal had gone back and unloaded, and that Tattnall's vessel had been burnt by the slaves — that 17000 men were between S^h & Brunswick, intending to set fire to the former city when overpowered. Some of the contraband who bring news in this way are very superior darkies. “William” who went with the Gun boats especially so. I intend to give him fifty dolls for his pilotage and enter him as a Pilot — he knows every foot of the inland waters. These men risk their lives to serve us without the slightest hesitation, indeed like Governor Pickens they seem insensible to fear — make no bargains about their remuneration, leave all that with entire confidence to us. The batteries at Skiddaway, Thunderbolt, and Green island (on the Ogeechee) are pretty fierce and the water shallow — but what I have told you above will fool them all. The contraband report great gloom in Savannah at what they call the apology to England, every one looking to a war. A thousand cavalry in from Virginia and say the rebels have given up Western Virga.

Best regards to Mr. Welles.

Yours faithfully

S. F. Dupont

Hon. G. V. Fox Ass. Sec

Washington

I have nothing from my home since 10" Dec. I believe our Lyceum mail don't come. Savannah bad with scurvy has come in for wood and water and provisions.

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. 86-90

Commandant Samuel F. DuPont to Gustavus V. Fox, December 25, 1861

Private

Wabash Port Royal

Christmas Day 1861

My Dear Mr. Fox

A Merry Christmas to you and Mr. Welles, and may the prodigious energies and labors of the Secy and yourself be crowned with success and peace for their results during the coming New Year.

The Department has kindly omitted heretofore to speak of the entrance of the Fingal into Savannah. My first act after the battle before its reverberations had ceased, was to dispatch the Augusta there, for I could see no ships in the offing the day I entered here. How the Monticello came to leave without orders (for Com^o Goldsboro' had told me to send her to him when I could spare her) I never could learn. But two days after the fight she entered in a dense fog, even our troops on Braddocks point did not see her. This went to my heart I confess and has given me periodical twitches ever since, for she brought the rebels great assistance — to our cost here.

My only comfort is that we have her pretty well sealed up; a contraband informed us she was loading with cotton and going to run out of Wassaw inlet, fearing lest the vessels blockading might be eluded I ordered Seminole and Pembina and Andrews to cross the bar; the former thumped, but they got inside just in time to run Tattnall's barge up a creek ashore¹—the crew escaped, except two who hid themselves and made signals and were taken on board the Andrew. One of them a very intelligent and apparently perfectly reliable person has given us much valuable information — he is from Rochester N. Y. and belonged to Tattnall's ship — the Everglade. He had towed the Fingal round into Wilmington river, and has his other steamers and his hulk with the guns along — but he hitched on the Fingal and towed her back stern foremost, but on the Gunboats moving up after him, he fell back behind the fort at Skiddaway.

I have sent John Rodgers there, for I feel comfortable wherever he is — his boilers are repaired, some men can always overcome difficulties, while others do nothing but call for help, never putting their own shoulders to the wheel — but the Flag is very deep for inlet work and is long in turning owing to some defect in her rudder. If you could give him one of those new side wheel double rudder vessels she could not be in better hands; for there are few such officers in any service. I do not rate him over his cousin, because I have never met such a perfect officer and man as the latter.

Would it not be well in appointing the officers to the new Steamers, to give such men who have made their mark in the inferior vessels a lift, rather than keep down the list and give to some below them?

I have had to withdraw the Savannah from Tybee and send her blockading. She got thumping too hard. Drayton is there now, another prince of an officer, with Stevens in the Ottawa who is also very superior. The Wyandotte is also there, but this force is smaller than it ought to be.

In reference to the latter, I am sorry to tell you that she is no acquisition — her light 32's have no sphere here at all, and her machinery is good for nothing — but for the efficiency of the Chf. Engineer of this ship I should have a hard time with such craft.

But this is not all, her Captain is in a state of mental stupefaction from intemperance. Being one of the “Board victims,” I am moving in the matter with extreme caution and leniency. He was first reported officially through Davis by Parrott, for queer doings off Charleston, carrying Parrott 15 miles off his station and then firing guns, and when brought to an explanation seemed stupid. After getting here one of his Acting Masters reported him for frequent intemperance and bad conduct—then a Pilot I gave him to carry him out to Tybee he abused very much and the former an excellent fellow reported him in writing — then up comes a report from Drayton saying “the Captain of the Wyandotte seems quite stupid and I believe from drinking.” So soon as I can get him up here I will send him all the reports and ask him for his explanations, and will send the papers home. I think it would be well for Congress to authorize Flag Officers to order Courts of Inquiry on the home stations. I believe this poor man, ——, had a blow in his head once and a very small quantity of liquor affects him in a strange way.

The Prisoners taken in Wassaw gave us a good many items — they have 45 guns on Pulaski. The other deserters say the same. The rebels are kept perplexed as to our operations and have placed their forces between Brunswick and Savannah. No intrenchments going up around Savannah. An attack on Tybee just in the manner that Missroon said it would be made and of which he could not persuade our Dutch Col. ashore, was only prevented by Robt Lee telling them the ships would knock them all to pieces if they attempted anything of the kind. Gl. Wright is coming on bravely there and the defences are well through — he has a masked battery of rifled cannon beautifully placed and the support between ships and shore will now be mutual by his very clever engineering.

We still have many stories about my quondam Commodore and friend Tattnall — it seems he landed with his Marines on the day of the fight, (I saw him disappear) to help Fort Walker, but arrived to see only the disastrous flight, and then from excitement, he became senseless and was carried back. Maffitt was drunk when he approached near enough for Ammen to let him have the shell — and Tattnall turned him ashore and that is the last of that gentleman. I communicate through Scull creek with Tybee. Mather (smart fellow) made it the other day in 2½ hours in the Andrew. He went to St. Helena Sound in 5 h. We are waiting anxiously for the ferry boats, anything small to send inland. Please hurry the Forbes and give her to an active officer. Please think of a dispatch vessel. Now I ought to draw off a little from Charleston and increase further South, but I have nothing to send. Please tell Wise I will answer his friendly and sprightly letter very soon. It made me laugh heartily.

Faithfully Yrs

S. F. DuPONT

_______________

¹ They had come to see if the course was clear.

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. 82-6

The Capture of the Skidaway Batteries

U. S. STEAMER SEMINOLE,

WARSAW SOUND, GA., March 25.

ATTACK AND LANDING.

To-day at 12 M., signal was made by the senior captain, John P. Gillis, commanding the Warsaw squadron, for the vessels in the harbor, consisting of the Wyandotte, Norwich and Seminole to get under way.  The Norwich drawing the least water, Captain Gillis boarded her and led the way in the line of battle, and stood up Wilmington river to attack the batteries at Skidaway Island, which have been building for some time.  All hands in the squadron were delighted at the prospect, particularly after having arrived again at Warsaw from our bloodless victory at Cumberland Sound, and the hope of a little work before us animated both officers and crew of these noble ships.

When we arrived within a mile of the batteries, the Norwich fired a shell from her Parrott gun into a body of cavalry that were seen near them.  The horsemen curvetted about in utter confusion and fled.  Proceeding up a quarter of a mile further, the Norwich sent the rebels a couple more shells into their encampment, that was a little back in the woods, which routed them all out.  As they did not seem inclined to return our fire we drew up quietly in front of the battery and let them have a broadside, which cleared them all out, and keeping up a raking fire upon them on their retreat, our boats were manned and formal possession taken of the fort, the flag being planted on the highest rampart by Capt. Gillis in person.

THE STARS AND STIPES HOISTED OVER THE REBEL HEADQUARTERS.

Acting master Steel, with a picket of eight or ten men, then went to the rebel headquarters, tore down the dirty Secession dishcloth flying there, and nailed the glorious old gridiron – the Stars and Stripes – to the staff in its place, never to be removed, amid salvoes of musketry.  The rebels left everything behind them in their haste to get away, even to their dinners, which were still cooking over a hot fire.

Captain Gillis then ordered all the works of the enemy to be destroyed, as we had not troops with us to hold them, and accordingly they were fired.  The sight was beautiful – the flames bursting  forth in every part, utterly destroying everything.  All the flatboats, scows and other means of transport, belonging to the enemy, were also destroyed; but the private property and buildings were humanely spared by order of Captain Gillis, although after we left, the rebels, fearing our occupation, themselves destroyed them. – During the destruction of the works the enemy fired on us from behind the trees in a wood three quarters of a mile distant, but killed no one.  One of our men was slightly wounded by a minie ball passing between his legs and grazing the flesh on the inner side of his thigh.  During the fire of the enemy our men displayed great coolness and bravery.  Captain Duncan should be especially mentioned for his coolness, courage and energy in the destruction of the works amid the fire of the enemy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTERIES.

The works on Skidaway island extend for about half a mile along the Wilmington river, and are built well and very powerfully.  Had the enemy remained and fought, our quadroon would have had much trouble; but hour gunboats seem to strike terror into them at every approach, and their only resource is ignominious flight.  The success of the achievement was great, more on account of its dash and daring, and shows what our noble sailors will do when led by a brave commander.  The channel of Wilmington river, as well as Skidaway island, is now thrown into our hands.  Our glorious cause is still blessed under our arms victorious.

SAVANNAH IN A “BAD WAY.”

After the complete destruction of all their works, that had taken three months for the rebels to put up, the squadron returned to its former anchorage.  Yesterday we took a prisoner, who for some time was sullen and would not answer questions, but he finally came around and told us “Savannah was in a bad way, and was short of provisions.”  By a Savannah paper that he gave us, we learned that they were trying to raise money to build a ram, for the destruction  of Capt. Gillis’ squadron at Warsaw.  This prisoner was taken in a small boat, trying to run the blockade to Fort Pulaski – it is supposed with a mail, but the letters were thrown overboard when he was taken.  From this quarter there is no further military news.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 2