Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of Rebellion, Series I, Volume 4 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.419

Page 422

422 OPERATIONS ON THE POTOMAC AND RAPPAHANNOCK.

This yard is of importance, not only because of its furnishing the Navy so largely with naval stores, but also as a position in the general defense of the city. Near it is a bridge easily reached and passed whenever an attack may be conducted by crossing from Alexandria, then over the low heights opposite the yard. I sent a howitzer with ten men and a howitzer and corporals guard of marines to guard this bridge aiid found there four dragoons. The companies were distributed along the borders of the yard, which were also patrolled by a strong body of marines. Cannon were planted looking down the stream, as well as several howitzers. In fact, the whole force was on the alert for any contingency. The Pocahontas arrived last night and on receiving a pilot came up and anchored off the yard, as you are already aware from my directing the officer with Captain Gilliss reports to deliver them to you in person. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant. JNo. A. DAHLGREN. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.

Report of Lieutenant Pillebrown, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Ana- costia, regarding a reconnoissance of the Potomac River.

U. S. S. ANACOSTIA, April 23, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to report that up to the present time there have been no obstructions placed in the channel of this river to impede navi- gation, neither can I discover any semblance of batteries or earthworks in the course of erection on either bank of the Potomac between the Lower Cedar Point and this place. Very particular attention has been paid to these matters. The steamer George Page lies moored at the railroad terminus at Aqnia Creek. As there is not sufficient water for this vessel to approach near enough, I can not say if there have been any defenses erected there or not. Yesterday, at the request of Major [J. A.] ilaskin, the commander of Fort Washington, I took the steamer Jerome alongside and convoyed her to the Washington Arsenal. There were reasons to suppose that she would be detained at Alexandria. She had on freight144 barrels of gunpowder and other stores for the Government. I also convoyed a large schooner laden with cement and other matter for the United States Capitol. I beg leave to represent that I have no pilot that can carry me below the Lower Cedar Point, my regular pilot having been transferred to the U. S. S. Pawnee for special and particular service. In conclusion, I beg leave most respectfully to request that at least one other responsible officer be ordered to this vessel, as the constant and unremitting attention that is necessary to the proper execution of my orders is more than nature will stand. I have not laid myself down since Thursday night. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. SCOTT FILLEBROWN, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Navy

Page 423

OPERATIONS ON THE POTOMAC AND RAPPAHANNOCK.

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