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The vessel cleared for
Annapolis; but her real destination was
Washington, and she was the first ship that arrived there with troops and supplies of clothing and provisions.
On arriving at
Washington,
Captain Matthews was ordered to report to
General Scott, and, if he needed the steamer for the public service, to obey his commands; if not, to return immediately to
Boston.
His sealed orders were to report
first to the senior Massachusetts officer at Fortress Monroe, and deliver to him such supplies and special packages as shall be designated for that port.
Second, if at Fortress Monroe he should hear from General Butler that the passage up the Potomac was dangerous, he was to wait twenty-four hours for orders from General Scott; and, if he received orders from him not to proceed up the Potomac, he was to proceed forthwith to Annapolis, land Captain Dodd's company, and turn over the stores to the senior Massachusetts officer in command.
He was to bring back “such sick or duly discharged soldiers” as he might be requested to take and could accommodate.
If at any time he should be attacked, he was to resist, and, if possible, to take or sink the attacking vessel.
He was to preserve strict discipline, and to practise, at suitable times, with his guns.
He was to offer to every
Massachusetts command he fell in with to bring home any letters or packages they might wish to send home to friends.
The following is a list of reserved stores sent to
Fortress Monroe, purchased and shipped by
John M. Forbes, under orders from the
Governor:—
| 60 beef barrels mess beef, at $10 per bbl. | $600.00 |
| 30 beef barrels prime pork, at $14 per bbl. | 420.00 |
| 5,000 lbs. hams, about, at 10 cents per lb. | 500.00 |
| 20 kegs lard, about 850 lbs., at 12 cents per lb. | 102.00 |
| 1,000 lbs. butter, about, at 23 cents per lb. | 230.00 |
| 2,000 lbs. cheese, about, at 11 cents per lb. | 220.00 |
| 2,000 lbs. of sugar, about, at 8 cents per lb. | 160.00 |
| 500 lbs. Oolong tea, about, at 35 cents per lb. | 175.00 |
| 1,000 lbs. coffee, about, at 13 cents per lb. | 130.00 |
| 10,000 lbs. pilot bread, about, at 4 cents per lb. | 400.00 |
| 5 beef bbls.
pickles, about, at 1s. per gall. | 33.33 |
| Lot meats in canisters, for officers, valued at | 100.00 |
| $3,070.33 |
