Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-03-21
Commodore Foote and the Regulations
of his Gunboat Fleet.
ms HnADQuARTERs.

HIS HEADQUARTERS.
The intelligent Western correspondent of the
Boston Journal, who has been on visit to the
headquarters of Commodore Foote, at Cairo,
writes thus;
The naval headquarters is oil the wharf boat
belonging 10 the Illinois Central Railroad -
Lying beside the wharf boat are two Of the gun
bOats-the Cincinnati and LOUISVILLE. Hundreds
of workmen are upon the decks. There are
timbers, chains, anchors, guns, plates Of iron,
gun carriages, ropes, shot anti shell. Master
Workmen are g,Ving orders to the mechanics, |
and officers TO the sailors and marines There
is noise and confusion sufficient to distract one
not accustomed to such scenes. Ascending to |
the second story Of the wharf boat, you fud |
dozen clerks hard at work-a score of officers
belonging to the tleet-all Of them gentlemen in
the highest sense Of the term. lu one corner of
the room is the Commodore hard at work, now
giving an order, now making minutes on II |
paper, approving u hill. or listening to the re-
quests Of those around him. Ills foot il still |
painful, and he rests il III II chair. His crutches
stand by his side. lie notices that your cor
respondent has entered the rOom aud gives him
the agreeable information that the rebels have
been routed at Cedar Creek, and that Manassas
is ours. It il II pleasure to him to impart this
information, and he expresses the hope that he
will be able TO add TO IT, before many days, in
telligence that will be equally acceptable to the
public. Yet he does not express himself conf
IDENTIFY as 10 the result He finds time to tell
what disadvantages he has before him-informs
me of his plan of attack, which shall not speak
of. He has a few moments for every one. 49,
Upon the table you will notice "a Bible, and one
or two religious works-Baxter's Saints Rest
among others. BY his bravery, discretion
prudence, and pety, he has endeared himself to
every one His orders are brief and few lie
has issued in all, elk.
SOME OF COMMODORE FOOTE'S ORDERS
The same correspondent gives n list of all
orders Issued by Commodore Foote since he took
command OF the fleet, with the remark that they
| have all been carried out to the letter. The
following orders will illustrate the manner in
which the gallant Commodore governs the Off
GERS and men under him
CAIRO. Dec. II, 1861
The officers and men connected with the Naval
Fotila will consider themselves amenable to the
police regulations of the army while on shore, as
well as ON board, so far as conducting them
selves with perfect pTopriety Of conduct, of
crossing the lines abstaining from all approa
ches to ntemperance, vice which is so deairue
tive to good morals, discipline, and efficiency !
that the Commander- in Chief will visit, with tue
utmost rigor OF the law, all who may he guilty
of the slightest degree Of intoxication. or of amy
violation of laws, rules regulations, aud general
orders, whicn are, or may be promulgated.
either by the military or naval authorizes, for
the promotion of the highest state of diacipline
and efficiency in time Of war.
NUMBER FOUR.
CAiRo. Dec IL, 1861.
The commanders of the gunbOats respective
ly, will see that their vessels are kept ready for
action at moments warning.
Men must he exercised frequently at the great
guns aud small arms, magazines frequently
examined, gun gear often inspected, steam
machinery kept in order, one-half Of the officers
at leasl, unless by special permission, to be kept
OH board at all times; in fact every precauton
taken against n surprise by the enemy, aud n
readiness for immediate service, which will
enable the Commnnder.in Chief to operate
against an enemy afiOat, or on shore, within
five minutes after the aotilla is under way
The commanders Of the tolilla will, in theii
internal rules and regulations, give such instruc-
tOns in detail as will secure the highest degree
Of efficiency and the commander in chief has
, the highest confidence from the zeal and intei
gence with which the officers generally hAv,
I labored in the premises to assist him in impro
vising n squadron with such limited means by
| attending readily TO duties of all grades, tina
they will soon have their respective vessels in
/ high state of naval discipline.
NUMBER FIVE.
Caro- Dec. g., 1861.
The men composing the crews Of the difieren
vessels iu the ilotila are required to obey strict
ly all laws, orders, rules and regulations pro
i. mulgatcd. or suffer the penalty of the law.
: Jealous and capable men, combining GOO
. morals with desire TO serve their country, an
= yindicate lis ability, to sustain unsulied its la
! against enemies at home as well as abroad, wi
y be lavorably noticed in the monthly reports
u by their commanders, TO the Commander.u
" Chief
y All real or supposed grievances, which th
"" "" men may have or fancy they have, will recev
n cOnsiderate hearing, through the proper char
nell by their commanders and let il he born
- in mind. that the primary object of the tlotilm
\. efficiency; power and readiness 10 do its dut
'' to the Government by Furnishing the enemy
this great object being secured, the comfort
!" the officers and men will so far MS may
10 consistent with efficiency, be faithfully observes
ii. NUMBER Six.
ys CAIRO, Dec n, 1861.
oi strict observance Of Sunday, so far as al
10 staining from all unnecessary work, and givii
officers and men the opportunity of atiendiI
ue public worship on board, will be observed by
in persons connected with the hOtilla.
1t il the wish of the Confmander-in. Chief th
en- on Sunday the public worship of Almighty @
may be observed board of all the vess.
,ly composing the hotila; and that the respect
m commanders will either themselves, or eau
lte other persons, to pronounce prayers publicly
he Sunday, when as many OF the officers and M
he as can be spared from duty may attend the pub
worship of Almighty God.
al prOfane swearing being forbidden by the la
hs for the better government of the navy all oict
Iay and men will strictly observe this law a
ihe every officer who uses protane language towa
rn the men in carrying on duty, will he held on
Ike nable for such gross violation of law aud ord
L." Discipline to he permanent must he hased
in moral grounds, and officers must in hemsel'
, il show good example in morals, in order, u
, il patriotism, to secure these qualities in the nj
tbe ANDREW H. FooTE,
pau Flag Officer, Commanding U, S, Naval forces
, 10 the Western Waters
The Journals correspondent says:
re These are all. And they have been obser
esn so well That everything has gone on like clio
an work. have been on board nearly all the 6
lsa- boats, have met the officers day after day,
the have not yet heard an oath Another corr
for poudent, who has equal facilities. and impro
bv them, informs me that he has not heard prof
mi word on board the fleet The hotilla upon
,ur- Western waters is a moral as well as a phys
ssa. power in this rebellion.
nay --
gov SECRETARY STANTON'S NEWSPAPER {