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Tue May 20 1862 LT Nicholson, USS Marblehead, writes to CDR Murray, SOPA "I went on board the Currituck on the night of Sunday last and proceeded to the Mattapony and ascended it some 40 miles, when I met
with a natural bar, or bulkhead, with 3 feet of water, which obstructed farther navigation." Above this only boats will be able to go.
CDR W Smith, USS Wachusett writes to FO Goldsborough, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron that he and his officers and men had visited City Point several times and never had an indication of trouble. He was visiting some of the townsfolk when in one house a woman was sick and wanted medical advice, which he offered to send his assistant surgeon. "Assistant Surgeon George D. Slocum, accompanied by Paymaster Stockwell, Chief Engineer Charles II. Baker, and Lieutenant DeFord, army signal officer, went on shore." They took with them 6 men, leaving 5 with the boat. Later a woman came up to the boat crew and told them to leave and few minutes later the boat crew was fired at several times. The enemy captured Slocum and his party and sent them to Richmond. "When near there some of the rebels, on foot and on horseback, were seen moving up from the river and were fired on from the vessels, with what effect we do not know. 1 hurried on board and sent all our boats with field howitzers to assist our cutter (which was pulling out from the shore), and to land, but the rebels were gone, having remained only a few minutes to pick up the officers and men with them." "At 6 o'clock this morning a train came down from Petersburg with a flag of truce from General Huger, informing me that he had four of our officers and five of our men, and that he had given them an opportunity of sending to the ship for such articles of clothing, etc., as they needed.
The captured officers write a letter to SECNAV requesting that he intervene and obtain parole for them soonest as their particular mission was one of mercy and charity and not in combat.
SECNAV writes to FO Goldsborough that the paper are claiming that gunboats were of great assistance at West Point, but he has received anything official about.
SECNAV writes to FO Goldsborough: "You are directed to allow Mr. Loring Rates, of Massachusctts, to examine with his submarine apparatus the sunken frigate Cumberland, with a view of ascertaining her exact condition and reporting the same to the Department." In another letter he says that if MGEN McClellan is not not going to need his ships, his primary duty is keeping the rivers open. He will soon be getting some ships from the south, and that he is to "Have the pipes of the Monitor lengthened to enable her to go down the coast." SECNAV is sending 200 Marines to take possession of the Norfolk Navy Yard. He is to contract " to dismount the Dahlgren guns from the abandoned works of the enemy, and send them to this yard or to New York."
CDR Rogers, USS Wabash, writes to FO Du Pont, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, that BGEN Benham wants 2 gunboats. Rogers says that the general did not specify for what, and in any case should have contacted Du Pont, and he told him to. He did offer the Western World for one operation if they could get her free of the bottom, which did not happen. " Benham told Mr. Pearson that he was very sorry that you had gone, as he had a plan to lay before you, and said something about my going on shore to-day to meet him in relation to it. This of course, I have carefully avoided doing, nor shall I meet him if I can help it during your absence."
CDR Marchand, USS James Adger, writes to FO Du Pont that the Unadilla, Penbena, and Ottawa are over the bar in Stono Sound. "On our approach the enemy destroyed the large barracks by fire at the battery on the opposite side of the river, showing that the battery or fort is abandoned. Half a mile above us piles have been driven across the river, which,
when the tide changes to ebb, we will endeavor to draw."
BGEN Gist, CSA writes that two enemy gunboats entered the Stono and have been shelling. He has withdrawn his troops. All property safe.
LCOL Capers, CSA, writes that there is a buoy tender placing buoys. At least one buoy has disappeared.
CDR David Dixon Porter writes to SECNAV, that he has placed his unused mortar boats 10 miles out from Mobile in a line 10 miles apart to attempt to capture the several vessels loading in Havana "as they have no other place to go". Two of ships gave chase to 2 runners and captured the New Eagle (US) and Sarah (British). "These are some of those numerous vessels which the rebels claim to be continually running the blockade, not much larger than a frigates launch, and quite unseaworthy. He would not put his own men in such craft, and burned them. "I do not think anything can pass the line of mortar vessels without being seen. They are fast sailers, and can overhaul anything on the coast." He has 3 mortar boats closing the Mississippi sound and will send 6 more to Mobile.
LT Stephen Trenchard, USS Rhode Island, of his supply run to the blockading squadrons. In Hampton roads he picked up a propeller for the Mercedita, a crosshead for the Mississippi, and a large quantity of munitions. He delivered his goods to FO Farragut on the 1st, but upon leaving got caught in an eddy and ended up aground. Two tugs could not free her, so he lightened ship, got off, and reloaded the ship, leaving on the 8th. FO Farragut sent the Kensington west, and he delivered ice and goods to the Naval Hospital at Pilot Town. He then went to Ship Island and from there to Pensacola where the naval station had been re-captured the day before. He waited a day to get the Army's dispatches. He says the people are of Union disposition and want troops to defend them. He supplied 118 ships on his trip.
MGEN Butler, USA writes to CAPT Morris, SOPA New Orleans, that he wants Master George Wiggin transferred to him as he is in need of men for his boats on the lake.
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