[122]
to think that his (the President's) letter censured him. Abe was in good humor, and at leaving said, ‘Well, I will go home; I had no business here; but as the lawyer said, I had none anywhere else.’
May 28th.—Dupont is to be relieved, and three are spoken of in his place—Gregory, Foote, and myself.
There is evidently an idea of two commanders, one for the fleet generally, and one for the attack, intended I think, to include Foote and myself (Dahlgren's Memoirs, p. 390).
Admiral Foote was taken suddenly ill, and that gallant officer died in New York on the 26th of June.
Admiral Dahlgren was ordered to relieve
Admiral Dupont, and left with the least possible delay; he arrived at
Port Royal on the 4th of July.
He says:
General Gillmore wished to act, and had called for assistance.
Dupont had no specific instructions, but would assist.
He preferred to await my arrival.
A very loose state of things; no shape or connection.
After Rodgers got to the Wabash a note was sent me from Dupont, saying he was “rejoiced” and would send for me at 10.. Dupont was very pleasant.
The cabins full of officers.
In the afternoon I went over to Hilton Head to see General Gillmore.
He said that his project must now be tried, or it would be too late in a few days.
So I had no alternative but to grant the aid asked (Dahlgren's Memoirs, p. 396).
On the 5th
Admiral Dahlgren met
General Gillmore on board of the
Wabash, and they ‘put the matter in a definite shape.’
The admiral ‘would send in five ironclads to clear the ground on
Morris Island, and he would attempt an assault the night before.
If it failed, then he would open the batteries.
The thing is rather complicated, and, to make it worse, I am new to the squadron and the locality, and my staff likewise. . . . Besides, three of the turrets are being altered, and this work has to be stopped for the occasion’
1 (
Dahlgren's Memoirs, p. 397-8).
