.jpg?w=1)
Details
PORTER, David Dixon (1813-1891), Commander, Union Navy. Letter signed ("David D. Porter") to Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs, "U.S. Steamship Powhatan, S.W. Pass, Mississippi River," July 1861. 11 full pages, folio, on lined paper. Very fine condition.
PORTER DISMISSES THE CONFEDERACY'S "MISERABLE ATTEMPT AT A NAVY," AND VOWS "NEW ORLEANS WILL BE OURS WITHOUT A STRUGGLE"
"THIS IS THE TURNING POINT OF OUR FATE." An exceptional letter, reporting in considerable detail on the Union's blockade of Fort Pickens, Florida, and the Mississippi, commenting on national affairs, and recommending the taking of New Orleans. He asks about Fort Pickens, his former station: "I am not afraid of its falling into Bragg's hands....I don't like waiting on folks who take so long to get ready. I am afraid they have lost the opportunity of giving [Confederate commander Braxton] Bragg a good thrashing for he won't fire at Pickens till Pickens fires at him." Blockade duty is tedious, he confesses, and he is scornful of the Confederacy's "miserable attempt at a Navy...They have brought their ships in sight of us, get up steam and make a great fuss, knowing that I cannot cross the bar..."
He is convinced New Orleans can be taken: "Where will you find a more vulnerable point to assail these fellows than through New Orleans? They are in a desperate condition there now, and it could be made to fall in a month. The people are dissatisfied, they have been deceived by their leaders--every man was led to believe he was to live on Sugar Candy, and be supplied by Jeff. Davis with a private letter of marque of his own, which would bring large Northern Ships right to his door. That dream is over...they don't want to fight, and if the Government will send the right kind of force here, New Orleans will be ours without a struggle...." He goes on to outline a strategy for that assualt; some nine months later, Porter was to play an important role in the planning and execution of Admiral Farragut's successful New Orleans expedition.
"...I long to see this war brought to a close, but...in a manner that will reflect credit upon the Government, give future traitors a holy horror of encountering the wrath of an outraged people, and elevate us in the opinion of European nations, who would like to side with our opponents if they saw any want of strength in the Administration. I feel...this is the turning point of our fate, and that we are either going to be a great nation or we will dwindle down..." He complains that his vessel is "no longer fit to cruise" and will probably need to be towed to port: "I hope then to get hold of something with which I can do more service, this inactive life is killing me." One of the most extensive and important of Porter's extant letters.
PORTER DISMISSES THE CONFEDERACY'S "MISERABLE ATTEMPT AT A NAVY," AND VOWS "NEW ORLEANS WILL BE OURS WITHOUT A STRUGGLE"
"THIS IS THE TURNING POINT OF OUR FATE." An exceptional letter, reporting in considerable detail on the Union's blockade of Fort Pickens, Florida, and the Mississippi, commenting on national affairs, and recommending the taking of New Orleans. He asks about Fort Pickens, his former station: "I am not afraid of its falling into Bragg's hands....I don't like waiting on folks who take so long to get ready. I am afraid they have lost the opportunity of giving [Confederate commander Braxton] Bragg a good thrashing for he won't fire at Pickens till Pickens fires at him." Blockade duty is tedious, he confesses, and he is scornful of the Confederacy's "miserable attempt at a Navy...They have brought their ships in sight of us, get up steam and make a great fuss, knowing that I cannot cross the bar..."
He is convinced New Orleans can be taken: "Where will you find a more vulnerable point to assail these fellows than through New Orleans? They are in a desperate condition there now, and it could be made to fall in a month. The people are dissatisfied, they have been deceived by their leaders--every man was led to believe he was to live on Sugar Candy, and be supplied by Jeff. Davis with a private letter of marque of his own, which would bring large Northern Ships right to his door. That dream is over...they don't want to fight, and if the Government will send the right kind of force here, New Orleans will be ours without a struggle...." He goes on to outline a strategy for that assualt; some nine months later, Porter was to play an important role in the planning and execution of Admiral Farragut's successful New Orleans expedition.
"...I long to see this war brought to a close, but...in a manner that will reflect credit upon the Government, give future traitors a holy horror of encountering the wrath of an outraged people, and elevate us in the opinion of European nations, who would like to side with our opponents if they saw any want of strength in the Administration. I feel...this is the turning point of our fate, and that we are either going to be a great nation or we will dwindle down..." He complains that his vessel is "no longer fit to cruise" and will probably need to be towed to port: "I hope then to get hold of something with which I can do more service, this inactive life is killing me." One of the most extensive and important of Porter's extant letters.