Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of Rebellion, Series I, Volume 25 by United States Department of the Navy

Author:United States Department of the Navy
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Official Records, Civil War
Publisher: United States Department of the Navy
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

See p. 428

Page 446

446 NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS.

The regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury must be strictly carried out. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK M. RAMSAY, Lieutenant-Commander, Comdq. 3d Dist., 2Ji(ississ~ppi Squadron. Acting Master E. C. BRENNEN, Commanding U. S. S. lienton.

Letter from Major-General Grant, U. S. Army, to Lieutenant-Commander Ramsay, U. S. Navy.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Vicksburg, Miss., October 6, 1863.

CAPTAIN: Learning of the stopping of the steamer Empress by the navy, on her way to New Orleans, I have concluded that you have not yet been made acquainted with the new Treasury regulation of, 1 believe, the 16th of September. I enclose you copies of my orders made in conformity with these regulations and respectfully request that you instruct all officers within your district to pass all boats con- forming with ~these orders. At least, pass them until further instruc- t ions can be received from Admiral Porter, whom I shall write to on the same subject. It was my understanding with Admiral Porter that, during his absence, the navy within this dcpaitment and out of his reach would always act on my suggestions as he, the admiral has ever done. Should there be anything wrong in any orders made by me govern- ing commerce on the river, the navy can in no manner be held re- sponsible. Renewing the request that you permit the steamer Empress to pass, and all other boats conforming to the enclosed order, I remain Your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Captain RAM5AY, U. S. Navy. Major-General.

Permit for steamer Empress to proceed to New Orleans with cotton.

U. S. S. BENTON,

Off IVatchez, October 8, 1863.

The steamer Empress, with cotton on board, has permission to pro- ceed to New Orleans, La. JAS. A. cXREER, Lieutenant-Commander, Comdg. 4th Dist., Mi8sissippi Squadron.

Report of Lieutenant-Commander Greer, U. S. Navy, regarding permit granted to steamer Empress to proceed to New Orleans.

U. S. S. BENTON,

Off Natche~, October 9, 1863.

Siii: I have the honor to inform you that on my return to this place I found that the steamer Empress was detained by order of Lieuten- ant-Commander Ramsay, who had had charge of this district in my absence

Page 447

NAVAL FORCES ON WESTERN WATERS. 447 The detention was owing to her having cotton on board, which was shipped at this place. I was informed by my executive officer that he had forwarded a letter from General Grant to Captain Ramsay, a copy of which I send, in which the general was willing to assume the responsibility in the premises and referred to an order from. the Treasury Depart- inent of September 16, 1863, which caused him to issue his General Order No. 57, which I send enclosed. After looking into the matter, I concluded under the circumstances that there would be no impropriety in permitting the vessel to go to New Orleans, and I gave a pass to that effect. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. GREER, Lieutenant-Commander, Coindq. 4th Di8t., Miss. Squadron. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron.

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