Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Sir: I desire to learn, as early as practicable, the character of the vessels which it is said the enemy is preparing at Cincinnati. Reports and rumors declare that iron-clad or armored boats are being built, and that vessels are being thus altered; but the testimony of some reliable expert is deemed important. You will, therefore, do a good service by employing a competent man to proceed to that city and procure the desired information, to be communicated through you to this Department. A mechanic who could and would obtain means of accurately reporting the character of the vessels, whether steamers or not; and if steamers, whether propellers, their size and armament, and whether and to what extent they are protected by iron; in what manner it is secured, and its thickness. Such [70] details as these, together with the number of vessels being prepared at Cincinnati or elsewhere on the Ohio, Arkansas, or Mississippi Rivers, are important. Perhaps a mechanic now at work on them could afford this information.

The Department will pay such compensation to your agent as you may deem proper in this matter.

Yours, respectfully,