[1058]
points to which the different military and naval movements are to be made, and the assistance which the army will give the navy in taking and holding the different positions deemed necessary (which should be named), the number and kind of transports requiring convoy and protection, where to and when.
In a word, to give me such full and perfect information in writing as will enable the Navy Department fully to understand the nature of the service to be performed, to ascertain its ability to furnish the means needed, and to enable me to make timely professional dispositions.
I send this by Fleet-Captain Barnes, my chief of staff, and solicit an early reply.
I have the honor to be, General, respectfully yours,
S. P. Lee, Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'g N. A. Blo'g Squadron. to Maj.-Gen. B. F. Butler, Commanding Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, Fortress Monroe.
[no. 22. see page 638.]
[Confidential.]
flag-Ship North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Hampton Roads, Va., April 27, 1864.
Received 8 P. M.
General:--I received, late on the night of its date, your confidential communication of the 25th inst., referring to our previous interview, and giving me more fully your views respecting the movement you contemplate, and including the Appomattox to Port Walthall as part of the base of your operations.
This plan was, in our interview yesterday with the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, modified in this — that you abandoned the idea of landing troops, or sending your transports, above City Point, on James River.
I have the Onondaga, and I expect also three Monitor iron-clads, and with these I shall be able to co-operate with you as far up James River as their draft and the depth of water will allow them to go; viz: to Trent's Reach, in which there are but eight and one half feet of water.
Our iron-clads cannot enter or operate in the Appomattox, but I can co-operate with you in small wooden vessels to Broadway, and, perhaps, as high as Point Rocks, if there are no obstructions in the river, or riflepits on the banks to drive the men from their guns on these open deck vessels, or batteries with which such vessels cannot contend.
The iron-clads can, barring accidents, average five knots an hour to Harrison's Bar, which is fifty miles above Newport News.
They require high water by day to cross that bar. The river at Harrison's Bar, before City Point, in the Appomattox, and from City Point to Farrar's Island, requires to be examined for torpedoes, and if we meet with no resistance, this can be done by day, and in part of a day.
I thankfully accept the offer of your light-drafts to act under my orders in the performance of this important duty.
The engineering device of defense by obstructions (the means of making which you kindly propose to provide) above the iron-clads in James River, would materially 