whose skill and bravery, and even diplomatic ability, have been productive of the best results to our interests here; and may I respectfully, in view of this officer's services, ask for him promotion to the grade of commander, as I know of no one in the Navy whose services could have been greater to the government. If, therefore, any promotions for gallantry and general merit are made, I trust that he will be among the first thus honored.

"A report came to me last evening that the steam-ram Louisiana, of sixteen guns, had arrived at Memphis; and that in ten days she would be up here and clear the river to a certainty. We shall make as good a fight as we can with the means we have. I saw Colonel Fitch in consultation to-day in reference to this report, which may be exaggerated. I forward a letter found at Island No. Ten; but so much time has elapsed that we have concluded that this report of the readiness of the vessel to come up here has been greatly overdrawn. By telegraphing in cipher to Commander Pennock at Cairo, he will send a steamer to me in twenty hours after its receipt.

"In haste, truly and respectfully yours, "The Hon. Gideon Welles."

A. H. FOOTE."

Commodore Smith also refers to the reported sending of Davis to Foote's assistance:

"April 28, 1862.

“MY DEAR FOOTE,—I have yours of the 16th instant, with its addendum of the 17th. I regret exceedingly that you have been disappointed in losing the services of General Pope; but the impending battle at Corinth, I presume, is the cause.

"I have talked to the Secretary about your health. He has ordered Davis to help you, as he seems to be the man you select, and I trust and hope he may meet your expectations of him. When he arrives, if I were in your place, I would not remain, if you are to sacrifice your life by it. You have done your share. But, God willing, I trust you will meet the Atlantic squadron at New Orleans or higher up the river, where, after the taking of New Orleans, the force of Farragut is ordered to proceed. I regret the Army does not work more kindly with you, or at least that General Halleck seems to pass over your services, and to notify those under him that they are not under your orders. Certainly, then, you are not under his orders. The Navy will work its way anyhow. We are expecting in a few days the great battle at Yorktown to come off. God

Letter of Sympathy.

309

grant us victory. If we are successful, I think the war will come to a close. I have been so pressed with work that I have no time to think of any private affairs. The Secretary puts a heavy load upon us, which I will try to bear to the best of my ability. You are considered by the community the man of the war. Nothing can wipe that out. The glorious news from New Orleans through Secesh source is refreshing. I have been at work getting up iron-clad boats for the rivers-don't know their requirements, but I know it is impossible to shield them properly with iron and have light draft of water; so we must do the best we can. "Yours very truly as always. In haste,

"JOSEPH SMITH."

A letter of sympathy was also received at this time from his former pastor at Brooklyn, Rev. Dr. Budington, from which we extract the following:

cesses.

"I have wished to express to you my sympathy on the occasion of the death of your dear Willie, an event which was announced to me on Sabbath morning upon entering the pulpit, and which led me to ask the prayers of the congregation on your behalf. Be assured you have them, and that the hearts of our people have followed your late series of sucYou know that you are surrounded by the thanks and admiration of your countrymen, and it can not fail to be a solace and satisfaction to you, in the discharge of your high trust, at this solemn crisis of our country's history; yet outward glory, as it can not shield the heart from the shafts of affliction, so it can not prevent an aching heart nor eradicate a pang. I rejoice to know that for this you can go to One who is able, and will do for you what the world with its best wishes can not. May you find Him unspeakably near and precious to you in the endurance of this great and unlooked-for bereavement; and while God is filling your largest ambition for service to your country, may the benefits of a sanctified affliction defend you from the temptations of wordly applause, and keep undisturbed the equipoise of a soul truly consecrated to God, and holding earthly distinctions in their true relations to eternal issues. At the same time you were bereaved, General Casey, of the Army of the Potomac, a member of our church, lost his wife in Washington, and public prayers were offered for both of you at the same time. Amid the deep and widespread sorrows of our country in this war, it seems to be God's will that our leaders, who are leading us out of it so triumphantly, should themselves be partakers of tribulation."

The matter of being relieved of his active duties by Captain Davis was at this time the uppermost question, and he wishes to have the exact grounds of that action (unselfish in its motives on his part) clearly understood, as will be seen in the following private communication to the Secretary:

"FLAG-STEAMER BENTON, OFF FORT PILLOW,}

"MY DEAR SIR,-Your unofficial note of the 23d, referring to Captain Davis being ordered to report to me, but on no account to relieve me in command, has been received. As you will perceive from my letter of yesterday, I have had no idea of leaving the squadron at any time, unless the Department should consider me, with my wound and its effects, less efficient than some other officer who might be chosen to relieve me. I placed my remaining or leaving solely on public considerations-what would best promote the cause of the Union—not on private grounds; for in former letters I stated that I should remain, and give my life to the vindication of the flag.

"I am pained to see myself represented in the papers as having applied' to be detached on account of my wound, implying that I want to leave the command on personal grounds. This is doing me great injustice; and may I beg of you to have this impression removed, by its denial, as publicly as the misrepresentation has been made? for I would far rather die in the harness from sickness or a shot, than to leave my post in face of the enemy on personal grounds. This would be so unofficer-like, if not even pusillanimous, that I can not quietly rest under the imputation.

"I have no idea of leaving now to go up to Cairo or St. Louis; still I am happy to learn that Captain Davis is coming out, as I am really unable to cope, in my ill-health, with the heavy duties of flag-officer, organized and conducted as this service is, involving far more work and care than a regular squadron elsewhere.

"Several deserters came to us yesterday, and informed me that thirteen rebel gun-boats below were to attack us at 3 o'clock this morning, six or seven of which were rams. We made some further preparations by tying four gun-boats stern up stream to the banks, so as to bring the head down stream ready for a fight; the Benton being farthest down toward the forts, and where the gun-boats and rams would approach. We were on our arms all night, ready for a hard fight, but the rebels did not make their appearance. This morning three more deserters came, and report that the