5 June 1864: “I have your private note stating that Colonel Jourdan proposes to attack Wilmington.”

Item description: A letter from acting Rear Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee to Commander A. G. Clary of the U.S.S. Dacotah transmitting a copy of a confidential letter (previously sent to Captain Benjamin F. Sands) concerning a proposed attack upon Fort Fisher, near Wilmington, North Carolina.

18640605_NCC_001

Item transcription:

Correspondence relative to a proposed joint attack upon Fort Fisher, N. C.

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Commander Clary, U. S. Navy, transmitting
copy of confidential letter to the senior officer off Wilmington, N. C.

FLAGSHIP AGAWAM,
James River, June 5, 1864.
SIR: I transmit enclosed a copy of a confidential letter addressed by me to Captain Sands, or the senior officer present off Wilmington, on the 31st ultimo, which probably was not received by him before he went on the outside blockade. I desire that you proceed to carry out the directions contained therein immediately by putting yourself in communication with General Palmer. In the absence of Lieutenant Cushing, give a prominent part in the enterprise to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Breck, and such other capable officers as you may select. I understand from General Butler that the army has light-draft boats, the use of which will greatly facilitate the undertaking.
Respectfully, yours,

S. P. LEE,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Commander A. G. CLARY,
U. S. S. Dacotah.

[Enclosure.]

FLAGSHIP AGAWAM,
James River, May 30, 1864.
SIR: I have your private note stating that Colonel Jourdan proposes to attack Wilmington. Lieutenant Cushing some time since advanced the same idea. Other occurrences have hitherto delayed the attempt, which the full occupation of the enemy here and his probable depletion there encourages.
Inform Colonel Jourdan that I have desired you to give the army every aid and encouragement in your power to cooperate against Wilmington, and do so. Lieutenant Cushing should have a prominent post.
Respectfully, yours,

S. P. LEE,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Captain B. F. SANDS
(Or Senior Officer Present), of Wilmington.

Item citation: Official records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion.. Series I, Volume 10. Washington : G.P.O., 1900. C970.75 U58no Ser. I, Vol. 10. North Carolina Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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