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Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 1: organization of the Navy Department.--blockade-runners, etc. (search)
erates had ample time to prepare to meet them with offensive weapons, and keep them out of Southern ports. When Mr. Toucey handed over the Navy Department to Mr. Welles, it was in a rather demoralized condition--Southern officers were resigning right and left, officers of the bureaux, even, were talking of going with their Staton the personnel of the service, which so signally aided the Department in carrying out the measures tending so greatly to cripple the Confederate cause. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, 1861-69. It is only intended, in this narrative, to give a comprehensive history of the naval events of the war, so that the generof the Department; while the Chief Clerk,Mr. Faxon, was placed at the head of the Civil Corps; he was really the representative of the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Gideon Welles. This organization was found necessary, owing to the defective system then existing, which exists now, and which will be found defective again if we shoul
Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 2: bombardment and fall of Fort Sumter.--destruction of the Norfolk Navy Yard by the Federal officers. (search)
expedition which was fitted out in the earlier part of April to go to the relief of Sumter, the history of which will appear further on in this narrative. Secretary Welles, with a decision worthy of the occasion, did fit out an expedition for the relief of Sumter, the last vessel of which sailed from New York on the 9th of Apri but he was now old, and at a time when he should have maintained his self-possession he appears to have completely lost his head. The Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Welles, had not yet made himself familiar with the conditions of affairs in his department. His position was a difficult one for a man advanced in years, for the duties were complicated, and such as only an expert could be expected to fathom in so short a time. Mr. Welles was surrounded with officers and clerks, some of whose loyalty was doubted, and one bureau of the Department in particular, presided over by an officer of Southern birth and of national reputation, was the headquarters of
Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 3: closing of Southern ports.--increase of the Navy.--list of vessels and their stations.--purchased vessels.--vessels constructing, etc. (search)
affairs. Home Squadron of the Union Navy. It is true that the measures adopted by Mr. Secretary Welles in advance of the session, and which had been rendered necessary in consequence of eventscommend a reorganization of the service to increase its efficiency. In December, 1861, Mr. Secretary Welles recommended that the permanent organization of the line officers of the Navy should be as indebted to Mr. G. V. Fox, the Assistant Secretary, whose ideas were promptly adopted by Mr. Secretary Welles. It was the first gleam of sunshine that had illuminated the Navy for half a century, anrage and ability which it manifested at a later period. Yet in his report for that year, Mr. Secretary Welles pays the highest tribute of praise to the officers and men of the service. The Honorab with which he was burdened with entire honesty of purpose, laboring faithfully to the end. Mr. Welles made mistakes during the war, as any man in such a perplexing condition of affairs must have d
Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 7: the Trent affair. (search)
a sufficient apology. But if there were no mistakes made in the world there would be no work done. As soon as Captain Wilkes made his report to the Department, the Hon. Secretary of the Navy wrote him the following letter, which showed that Mr. Welles, if not sound in an international point of view, was sound in his dislike for the Confederates and all that savored of disloyalty. He no doubt touched the national heart, which at that moment did not beat with the most friendly feelings toward vessel which had these public enemies on board, further than to say that the forbearance exercised in this instance must not be permitted to constitute a precedent hereafter for infractions of neutral obligations. I am respectfully yours, Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. Captain Charles Wilkes, Commanding U. S. S. San Jacinto, Boston, Mass. The news of the arrest of Mason and Slidell was received by Congress with great enthusiasm, and that body passed the following resolution by a
Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 10: naval engagement at South-West pass.--the Gulf blockading squadron in November, 1861. (search)
hatan for sea with all dispatch. (signed) Gideon Welles. On April 1st President Lincoln wrote an rder, and that he was not to telegraph to Secretary Welles for instructions in this embarrassing pos no longer, and he at once telegraphed to Secretary Welles that the Powhatan had sailed in command o The moment this telegram was received, Secretary Welles went straight to the President to requestme into the President's presence he found Secretary Welles in as great a state of excitement as his followed the information he received from Secretary Welles, who really believed that what he assertehat time Naval Historian Boynton states that Mr. Welles had taken all the necessary precautions to s that object. I am, respectfully yours, Gideon Welles. Secretary of the Navy. These orders wter. No one can cast any reflection on Secretary Welles or Mr. Fox for the failure (if it may be ng active measures without instructions. Secretary Welles also labored under the disadvantage of ha[13 more...]
Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 13: building a navy on the Western rivers.--battle of Belmont. (search)
them the folly of rebellion. To circumvent the grand schemes of the enemy in the West, it was necessary that we should have a naval force on all the rivers, and Attorney General Bates seems to have been the first person in the government to point out the necessity of such a force to get possession of all the tributaries of the Mississippi, and finally of the great river itself to the sea. Mr. Bates' ideas were not at first considered practicable; even the veteran Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Welles, who is credited with a vast knowledge of naval matters, seemed to doubt, and stated that there was with many great incredulity as to the utility and practicability of the use of gun-boats on the Western waters, where it was believed batteries on the banks could prevent their passage. The Secretary might have observed that the enemy's batteries on the Potomac did not stop even ordinary transports. At first the naval forces on the Western rivers were put under the direction of the War D
Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 14: battle and capture of Fort Henry by the Navy. (search)
rately marked every shot his gun had fired; and his account was corroborated by the gunner in the magazine. This may be considered as a striking example of coolness and bravery in a boy of fourteen, who had never before been under fire. Secretary Welles to Flag-officer Foote. Navy Department, February 13, 1862. Sir: Your letter of the 7th inst., communicating the details of your great success in the capture of Fort Henry, is just received. I had previously informed you of the rece has observed, with no ordinary solicitude, the armament that has so suddenly been called into existence, and which under your well-directed management has been so gloriously effective. I am, respectfully, Your ob't servant, [Signed] Gideon Welles. Flag-officer A. H. Foote, U. S. N., Commanding Gun-boat Flotilla, &c., Cairo, Ill. Official thanks to the Army and Navy. The State of Ohio deemed this battle sufficiently important to merit a vote of thanks, as appears from the followi
Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 16: operations on the Mississippi. (search)
l throw some light on the siege of Island No.10, and give credit where it is justly due: Secretary Welles to Flag-officer Foote. By telegraph from Navy Yard, Washington, April 10, 1862. To Fl command be also extended to the officers and soldiers who co-operated with you. [Signed] Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. The following is the general order issued immediately after the rty thanks to God for His goodness in giving us the victory. A. H. Foote, Flag-officer. Secretary Welles to Flag-officer Foote. Navy Department, April 12, 1862. Sir:--The Department desirnks to all who participated in the achievement. I am respectfully, your obedient servant, Gideon Welles. Flag-officer A. H. Foote, Commanding Gun-boat Flotilla. Forwarded with the order thr to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Signed] A. H. Foote, Flag-officer. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Flag-officer Davis assumed command of the squ
Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 17: evacuation of Fort Pillow and battle of Memphis. (search)
t. The Confederates ought to know which is the correct version. Rear-Admiral Davis, in his report, makes no distinction among his officers. He simply says, the officers and men of the flotilla performed their duty. The proof of the manner in which it was performed was the total annihilation of the enemy's forces. Take the battle, together with its results, it was one of the handsomest achievements of the war, but it did not receive that general notice which it deserved. If Mr. Secretary Welles, who was liberal with his eulogistic letters to those whom he approved of, ever congratulated Rear-Admiral Davis and his officers for their brilliant success, it nowhere appears in the Secretary's Report for 1862. But history will eventually give due credit to all the brave men who served their country faithfully in the time of her greatest need. The prejudices and jealousies of the times will have passed away, and the truthful historian who takes time to examine the records careful
Admiral David D. Porter, The Naval History of the Civil War., Chapter 18: capture of forts Jackson and St. Philip, and the surrender of New Orleans. (search)
ed. explosion of the Louisiana. Miscellaneous incidents. Farragut before New Orleans. congratulatory letters of Hon. Gideon Welles. On the 12th of November. 1861, President Lincoln ordered that a naval expedition should be fitted out for the cn, while in thought he was following up his great victory to the end. The two following letters were issued by the Hon. Gideon Welles on receiving the announcement of the important victory at New Orleans, and he expressed his feelings and those of men, composing your command, deserve well of their country. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, Signed) Gideon Welles. Flag-officer D. G. Farragut, Commanding Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, New Orleans. Navy Department. May 10ul results he has accomplished. To yourself and the officers and seamen of the mortar flotilla the Department extends its congratulations. I am, respectfully, Gideon Welles. Commander David D. Porter, Commanding U. S. Mortar Flotilla, etc., etc.
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