12,'*" MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, April 18, 1862. Hon. Thos. S. Bocock, Speaker of the House of Representatives : Sir : I transmit, herewith, Lieutenant-Commanding Robt. B. Pegram's report of the cruise of the Nashville, and cer- tain official correspondence called for by the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 15th inst. JEFFERSON DAVIS. LETTER OF SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, Navy Department, Ric/wiond, April 17th, 1862. The President: Sir : In compliance with the following resolution of the House of Representatives, adopted on the 15th instant, ''Resolved, That the President be requested to communi- cate to this House the report of the cruise of the Nashville, together with the official correspondence of its commander with the British Admiralty officer, and other parties in Eng- land," 1 have the honor to transmit the report of Lieut. Command- ing Robert B. Pegram, commanding the steamer Nashville, and the correspondence accompanying the same. With much respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant, S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy, Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Duke University Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/letterofsecretar05conf REPORT OF CRUISE OF THE NASHVILLE. Confederate States Steamer Nashville, Beaufort, N. C, March 10, 1862. To the Hon. S. R. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy, Richmond, Va. : Sir : I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your instructions, dated September 27th, 1861, I assumed the command of the steamer Nashville, then lying at Charles- ton, S. C. From the time that I arrived at Charleston, I informed myself, by frequent reconnoissances, of the exact position of the enemy's blockading squadron, and when Messrs. Ma- son and Slidell declined to proceed to England in the Nash- ville, I being directed to carry out the remainder of my in- structions, awaited a favorable opportunity for running the blockade. This opportunity appeared to have arisen on the 26th October, and on the night of that da}^ having again carefully reconnoitered the position of the enemy, and placed boats on the bar for my guidance, I left Charleston harbor. One of the boats placed upon the bar, through some unfore- seen circumstances, however, drifted from its place, and the Nashville struck rather heavily upon a reef, from which she was got off without injury. It had been my intention to run out before the rising of the moon, but, as a consequence of the detention caused by running aground, the moon had already risen above the horizon as we were crossing the bar, enabling us to clearly perceive the enemy's vessels, while the Nashville, lying in the shadow thrown by the land, was completely hidden from hostile observation. Hav- ing thus baffled the vigilance of the blockading fleet, I shaped our course for the Bermuda Islands, which we reached on the 30th October. At Bermuda I obtained a full supply of coal, and the Fingal, Capt. Bullock, C. S. N., arriving be- fore our departure, I was able to furnish that vessel with tlie coal tliat she required. Mr. Macon, the Savannah pilot, was then transferred by me to the Fingal, and I also placed at the disposal of Capt. Bullock the services of any of my officers whom he might need. On the oth November we left Bermuda, and, in order to elude pursuit, took a track across the ocean but little fre- quented by vessels. During the greater part of the pas- sage we met with strong head winds, the wheel-houses, guards, and a portion of the hurricane-deck and bulwarks being washed away. At 9 o'clock on the morning of the 19th November, a sail was sighted standing towards us, which proved to be the clipper ship ITarvey Birch, Capt. M. Nelson, from Havre to New York, in ballast. When within hailing distance, I hoisted the Confederate Qhq, and demanded the surrender of the vessel as a prize to the Nashville, which demand was instantly complied with. I then ordered the Captain to come on board with his ship's papers, and after a careful examination of these, one of the officers of the Nashville went on board of the Ilarvcy Birch, and, after transferring the officers and crew (thirty-one in number,) on board the Nashville, with their personal effects, set the Harvey Birch on fire. Before she Avas lost to our sight her masts had gone by the board, and she had burned to the water's edge. I then continued my course, and on the 21st November anchored off the port of Southampton, the officers and crew of the Harvey Birch being then liberated and per- mitted to go on shore. Immediately upon my arrival at Southampton, I commu- nicated, as instructed, with Lieut. North, C. S. N., and the Hon. Wm. L. Yancey, and apprised them of your instruc- tions, having previously shown these to Capt. Bullock, C. S. N., at Bermuda. I then tendered the Hon. William L. Yancey a passage to the Confederate States in the Nash- ville, and, as in consequence of the seizure of the Confede- rate Commissioners, Messrs. Mason and Slidell, there then appeared to be a great probability of an early rupture be- tween England and the United States, I determined to await the result. In the meanwhile I, upon examination, found that the Nashville required thoroughly overhauling, and she was taken, accordingly, into the dry- dock at Southampton, on the 5th December. There I was allowed by the Admiralty Agent to have the ship placed in the condition in which she was when we left Charleston, but I was not permitted in any way to alter or strengthen her, the British Cabinet having determined to maintain a strict neutrality, in accordance with the tenor of the Queen's proclamation. This same plea precluded me from obtaining any arms or ammunition, and the Nashville being a government vessel, it would not have been seen with satisfaction, had I endeavored to pro- cure surreptitiously that which was openly denied. The entire confidence that I reposed in Lieut. C. M. Fauntleroy, as an officer of ability and discretion, induced me to undertake the responsibility of detaching him from the Nashville, at Southampton, and of placing him in a more responsible position, connected with the interests of the Confederacy, than that which he had occupied. This will, I hope, meet with your approval. Soon after leaving Charleston, it became evident that trai- tors were amongst us, and this was clearly proved by an at- tempt, which was made at Southampton, to fire the ship at midnight. The person who attempted to perpetrate this dia- bolical deed was not discovered, but, as several desertions took place shortly afterwards, it is most probable that he did not act alone. While the Nashville was lying at Southampton, the federal corvette Tuscarora, Captain Craven, arrived and was moored off the port, with the openly avowed intention of waiting for the egress of the Nashville. This attempt by one belligerent vessel to blockade another in a neutral port, caused great indignation in England, and in order to allay the irritation of public feeling, both vessels were ordered by the authori- ties to leave within a specified time. The whole of the cor- respondence that passed upon this subject I had already placed in the hands of your department, and I also enclose a copy of the same herewith. Messrs. Mason and Slidell having arrived in England, and having previously completed the repairs of the ship, taken in coal and filled up the vacancies in the crew, 1 again made the Hon. A7m. L. Yancey an offer of a passage in the Nashville to the Confederate States, and upon his declining to accompany us, I notified to the Lords of the Admiralty that I was prepared to proceed to sea forthwith. Thereupon a notification was made to the Captain of the Tuscarora that his vessel could not leave until the expiration of twenty- four hojirs after the departure of the Nashville, and to pre- vent any possible breach of faith the English frigate Shan- non, with steam up and guns shotted lay along-side of the 8 federal vessel. Thus on the 3d February, the Nashville left Southampton. And I must here record my high sense of the courtesy and kindness that I met with at the hands of all with whom I was brought into contact during my stay in England. From the time of our departure, until the l!Hh of Februa- ry, the weather was favorable, but then a heavy gale was encountered. During this gale which lasted several days, the inspection pipe of the engine was half way cracked, and the prompt and efficient manner in which this was remedied by ^Ir. J. Ilood, the chief engineer, together with the great care exercised by him in his important department through- out the entire vo^'age are worthy of the highest commen- dation. Upon leaving England I had determined to make direct course for one of our Southern ports, but finding that the Nashville could not weather in safety continued northerly gales, and that far more coal had been consumed than was anticipated, I shaped our course for Bermuda, anchoring in the harbor of St. George, on the 20th of February. Whilst receiving on board a supply of coal, I learned that the owner and master of the Confederate schooner Pearl which had run the blockade from Beaufort, N. C, and had run aground on the northern part of the Island of Bermuda was then at Hamilton, and I detei mined on seeking an interview with the person in charge. Before, however, I could carry out this resolution. Captain J. Pender, the owner of the Pearl came on board the Nashville, and in the most patriotic and praiseworthy manner, volunteered his services and those of his master, Mr. J. Beveridge, a practised pilot, to pilot the Nashville into Beaufort, N. C, speaking with the utmost confidence of our ability to run into that port. The man- ner in which the proposal was made induced me to accept Captain Pender's oiler, and I cannot now speak too highly, both personally and officially of the advice and assistance that he and Mr. Beveridge thus afforded me. On the 24th February, the Nashville left Bermuda, and I shaped our course for Beaufort, N. C. At dawn on the morning of the 26th February a schooner was seen on our port bow, which proved to be tlie Robert Gilfillan, Captain Smith, from Philadelphia to llayti with an assorted cargo of provisions. Steaming towards her I hoisted the American flag, the schooner doing the same. I then sent an officer on board and obtained from the Captain all the information he possessed, when upon a given signal from the officer, I dis- played our flag and demanded the surrender of the schoon- er, this was at once complied with and the sea being too rough to allow of any transfer of cargo, the Captain and crew, seven in number, were with their personal effects brought on board the Nashville. The Robert Gilfillan being then set on fire and burned ; after this we met with some heavy weather, but after crossing the Gulf stream the weath- er was favorable. At daylight, on the morning of the 2Sth February, we found ourselves near to the harbor of Beaufort, N. C, and the first thing seen was an enemy's ship blockading the port. I stood directly towards her, hoisting the American flag and the ships private number. This was replied to by the ene- my. As soon, however, as I had passed her I ordered the United States flag to be hauled down, and hoisted th( Con- federate' flag at the foremast-head and at the peak, while my pennant was run up at the main. When the United States flag was hauled down on board the Nashville, the federal vessel's Captain endeavored to bring her broadside to bear, but before the ship could be swung we were out of range of his guns. In spite of this the enemy fired twenty-one shots, but without the slightest effect. I answered the enemy's sa- lute by firing one gun, finding it useless to waste more pow- der. At shortly after 7 A. M., we had passed the lines of Fort Macon and were safely moored alongside of the rail- road wharf at Morehead City. The foregoing is as brief a report as is practicable of the whole circumstances connected with the passage of the Con- federate States steamer " Nashville." under my command, and I sincerely trust that my actions will meet with the ap- probation of the Department. In conclusion, allow me to express the very high opinion that I hold of the services rendered the Confederacy by Lieutenant J. W. Bennett, the executive officer of the *'Nashville," and to mention that I feel personally under many obligations to him for his valuable counsel and assistance in maintaining the discipline and efficiency of the ship. I have also to name, in terms of the highest commendation, Lieutenant W. C. Whittle, Mr. R. Taylor, assistant pay- master, Dr. J. L. Anchun, acting surgeon, and Mr. J. H. In^raham, acting sailing master, and to beg that you will kindly place them under the favorable consideration of the Department. Allow me also to request that the appoint- 10 ments of the whole of the acting midshipmen may be con- firmed, with one exception, concerning which I shall pre- sent a special report. I have the pleasure to report that Mr. Sawyer, the acting boatswain, has, by his unexcep- tional conduct and seaman-like bearing, gained the favora- ble consideration of every officer on board, and, that by his energy and industry, he has rendered great assistance in add- ing to the efficiency of the vessel. Permit me to call hira under your notice, and to beg that the Department will be pleased to confirm his appointment. Mr. J. Evans, the Charleston pilot on the passage from England, kept regular watch, and fulfilled his duties to my satisfaction. 1 also wish to call specially your attention to the saciifices made by Mr. Frank Dawson, a young Englishman of high refine- ment and education, who left family, friends, and every tie, to espouse our cause, and who, not to be put oft' by any difficulties thrown in his way, insisted upon serving under our flag, performing throughout the passage from England the most menial duties of an ordinary seamen in a manner that gained for him the admiration of every officer on board. I am now most desirous of retaining the services of Mr. Frank Dawson as my clerk, unless the Department can find gome more appropriate position in which to place him. Mr. L. Ilill, who shipped with us as a seaman, soon at- tracted my notice by his zeal and attention, and this induced me to give him the appointment of master-at-arms. The duties of this post he has filled to my complete satisfaction, and I trust tliat the Department v/ill be pleased to give him an appointment more suited to his merits ; such, for instance, as that of master-mate. I cannot omit to mention that Mr. llamson, the acting boatswain-mate, and tlie seamen gener- ally, have given me great satisfaction. Mr. J. Hood, the chief engineer, reports most favorably on the merits of John Spidell, third assistant engineer, and John Seeley, water- tender, whom I recommend with pleasure to your notice. The firemen and coal-passers have, with but few exceptions, discharged their duties very efficiently. I have the honor to be, sir. Most respectfully, Your obedient serv't, R. B. PEG RAM, Lieutenant Commanding. [No. 1.— Copy,] (Immediate.) Admiralty Office, ) Southampton, January 11, 1S62. \ Sir : I have the honor to acquaint you that I have re- ceived orders with respect to ship under your command, and the *'Tuscarora" to detain one vessel until the other has had twenty-four hours start. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, (Signed,) CHAS. PATRY, Add. Capt. of H. M. S. ^'Victory," and Sen'r Officer of Port of Southampton. The Commander C. S. S. S. Nashville. [No. 2.— Copy.J From R. B. Fegram, Lt. Comd'g C. S. N., to Capt. Fairy, Senior Naval Officer, Southampton. C. S. Steamer Nashville, ) Southampton, January 11, 1862. 5 Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of to day's date, intimating to me that in the event of the " Tuscarora" proceeding to sea, the ship under my com- mand is not to leave until twenty-four haurs shall have elapsed after the *' Tuscarora's " departure, and I beg to assure you that I shall rigidly contorm to the instructions of your Government in this respect, and you may depend that nothing whatever shall be done on my part to infringe the neutrality of this port. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, R. B. PEGRAM, Lieutenant Corri'g. To Capt. Patry, Senior Naval Officer, Southampton. 12 [No. 3.— Copy.] Admiralty Office, ) Southampton, January 26, 1862. \ Sir: I have the honor to state that I am directed to obtain from you, as Avell as from the Commander of the Tuscarora, a -written promise that you will not leave your present posi- tion without giving me twenty-four hours notice of your in- tention to depart. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, (Signed,) CHAS. PATRY, Add. Capt. of II. M. S. Victory, and Senior Officer, at Southampton. Lt. Commanding R. B. Pegram, C. S. »S. S. Nashville, Southampton. [No. 4.— Copy.] From K B. Pegram, Lt. C. S. N., to Capt. C. Patry, Add. Capt. II. 31. S. Victory. C. S. Steamer Nashville, > Southampton, January 21), 1862. ) Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date. I promise you that the Nashville shall not be moved from her present position without giving you twenty-four hours' notice of her intended departure. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. PEGRAM, Lt. Commanding. Chas. S. Patry, Add. Capt. H. M. S. Victory, and Senior Officer, at Southampton. [No. 5.— Copy.] Admiralty Office, Southampton, January 27, 1862. Sir : I have the honor to inform you that I have received from the Commander of the Tuscarora, a notification that it is his intention to proceed to sea to-morrow, (Tuesday,) at 13 11 o'clock, A. M. You cannot, therefore, I beg to remind you, be permitted to leave this port in the Nashville until twenty-four hours shall have elapsed from the time of the departure of the Tuscarora. I am, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed,) CHAS. C. PATRY, Add. Capt. II. M. S. Victory, and Senior Naval Officer. (Present.) Lt. Commanding R, B. Pegram, C. S. S. S. Nashville. [No. 6.— Copy.] Admiralty Office, > Southampton, January 27, 1862, 3 P. M. ] Sir : In accordance with instructions received by me, I am to call upon you to leave the Southampton waters in the Nashville, under your command, and that you proceed to sea on Wednesday next, the 29th instant, at 12 o'clock, at noon, provided that an interval of twenty-four hours shall have elapsed after the departure to sea of the Tuscarora, I am, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed,) CIIAS. C. PATRY. Lt. Commanding R. B. Pegram, C. S. S. S. Nashville, [No. 7.— Copy.] From R. B. Pegram^ Lt. Commxindmg, C. S. N., to his Grace the Duke of Somerset, Secretary^of State for War. London, January 27, 18G2. My Lord Duke : By letter from Captain Patry of the Admiralty, dated to day, I am ordered to put to sea within twenty-four hours after the departure of the United States sloop-of-war Tuscarora. It has now been more than two months since I arrived with my vessel, the Nashville, at Southampton, and during that time it has been my constant endeavor to pay the strictest 14 regard to that neutrality wliieli has been so solemnly pro- claimed by her Majesty's Government. My ship not being originally designed to cross the Atlan- tic, much less as a war vessel, I have not been able to strengthen her sufficiently to sustain the two light six- pounder guns which had been put on board of her, and to leave within the fatal delay specified in the above order, would be to subject me to inevitable capture. So obvious is this, indeed, that I am driven to the conclusion that there has been some strange misconception in regard to this sud- den summons, and this, in connection with the very brief time allotted me, urges me to address your Grace in person, and to submit the enclosed copies of the communications I have received from Captain Patry. Your Grace cannot fail to observe, from these orders, that my movements are made subordinate to those of the Tusca- rora, and that the Commander of that vessel is absolutely empowered to force me into a collision with him upon his own terms. If it is, indeed, true that I am bidden to abandon the asylum whose hospitable shelter I have not abused, and that I am thus with my weak ship and slender crew to be placed at the mercy of a powerful man-of-war with which it would be madness to attempt to cope, I havejno alternative left me but to obey this peremptory order, but I here enter my solemn protest against it in the name of common humanity, and of that Government which I have the honor to represent. I have the honor to be, my Lord Duke, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. PEG RAM, Commander C. S. S. S. Nashville. To His Grace the Duke of Somerset, K. G. [No. 8. Southampton, Jan. 10, 1862. Sir: I beg to state for your information that yesterday at 8 P. M , I was visiting the south-side of the docks and near ■where your ship is lying, when I discovered a party of strangers on the pier, near the middle graining dock, and upon demanding to know who they were, an officer of the 15 party informed me that they belonged to the Tuscarora, and were stationed there by their Captain's orders to watch the steamship Nashville, and if she attempted to get under way, to immediately make a signal to the Tuscarora, The party consisted of two officers and three men. I informed them that they had no right or authority to be here for such purpose and without permission, and at once oidered them to leave the premises, which they did. I afterwards saw the Consul and informed him I had done so, and should not allow any of the Tuscarora's crew to re- main on these premises at night. These circumstances being of so much importance, 1 have have thought it my duty to communicate the same to the Commanding Officer of this port, Captain Patry, R. N., and I think it only fair to make the same known to you. I am sir, your obedient servant, PHILIP HEDGES, Superintendent. Lt. Commanding R. B. Pegram, C. S. S. S. Nashville, Southampton Dock. [No. 9._Copy.] C. S. Steamer Nashville, > Southampton, Nov. 25, 1861. ] My Dear Sir : I am at a loss now to express the deep sense of my obligations to you for your most kind and un- expected letter of this date. Your offer is so much the more to be appreciated, when I think of the still doubtful posi- tion of England in regard to our nationality, and when so few are willing to risk ought for a people in their efforts for liberty, and that too against a government heretofore rank- ing among the great powers of the world. It shall not be forgotten by myself nor by my govern- ment, if exertions of mine can avail. Permit me in all grati- tude to say that although not in need of funds at this time^ should circumstances demand, I will with much pleasure avail myself of your offer. As my presence will be required on board my ship dur- ing the greater part of my stay, a visit in person will, I re- 16 gret to say, V»e out of my power. I return the check hook by Captain II use. who will also do me the fiivor to hand you this letter. Most truly yours, R. B. PEGRAM, Lt. Comg, a S. N, To S. Isaac, Esq.. London. Hollinger Corp. pH 8.5 '