The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-07-22
Defence OF Comm odorc Goldsborough,
by One OF His Friends.
THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.

TO 1HE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
NORFOLK Va, July Is, 1852.
In Justice to officer long tried In the public service,
and held in high esteem by all those under his com.
mand whose positions have enabled them to form just
Judgment Of his energy, discretion and l in tho ma
nagement Of the North Atlantic Blookadno qiadron
desire you publicly certain statements OF your
correspondent at Fortress Monroe with reference TO
Flag onicer Goldsborough.
These statements Indicate that the lne formation or
the James river otila into an Independent division Of
the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron under COM
mand OF new officer has given great pleasure 10 the
commanding officers in that flotia, promising thsm
more vigorous and effective administration or naval ar
fairs in these waters.
The regulations the service forbid any meeting OF
officers for tho manifestation Of approval dslp prova
Of the Of thor sapcriors any collective and
nal expression Of opinion concerning official mstters,
IN ess directly authorized by order from tho com
military subordnation permitted any such cxpro sion
satisfied that those who have responsible officers,
shared with the Flag Onccr Ia the porIls, anxices and
agucs OF arduous service Of ten o continual
aud successful warfare ~ the sounds Of Abemarle and
Pamlico-of dangerous bockadcs upon stormy coast,
and OF absolutely unprecedented experience Hampton
Roads In York and James rvers-that his companions
In th trumphs and dangers aud responsibilities wosd
unitedly protest with generous Indignation against any
such unauthorized Of their would convey
the idea OF censure Of thor commanding officer.
Official records VIII yet provo TO the public (who, In
consider his sins Of omission, have apparently
forgotten what has been accomplished by the
vessels undor his command at Roanoke Elizabeth
City and Newbern) that not only has every
emergency ia these ard adjacent waters been met
BY him with promptnss. energy aud discrimination,
mand but that his services In these respects have
repeatedly and formally rscegnlzad by tho President Of
the United States and by the War Department with
many exprossioaso OF oongratuaton, approval and
Wthin the limits OF an admissible communication. n
ha imD To mpe al
have boon made against this experienced skilful
officer by irresponsible parties through the public press
those anxious and socpcsa months when tho existence
OF the Army Of the Potomac and tho integrity OF Chssa
paaa m.rs, VIZ. y a., r nrsae'sa oy .ns
and Recognized that II was BY the ceasees vigilance Of
the Flag oihccr that these terrible oaismes were
l avorted, and that BY his intelligent dstribu.
| ton d rams ana vessels sf.war the destruc-
| ton Of that terrible battery was rendered so
| inevitable that It's commander did not dare
take the FIRST step even threaten the army and he
Northern ctiea. The bockadinS free not led 70
ouixctIc attack against Norfolk and the herrmac In
Elizabeth river because the ortuous and difficult navi
cation OF that river not only impedsd by sunksn
blricades but defended by than ono hundred
and sixty guns in battery protectsd by casemts bomb
proofs rayersss and all the appliances Of oracation.
lhe Nerrinao IN her wntors, whose troacherous
shadows ilero ons Of her greatest safeguards
not TO DO attacked ~ any psudsht c'nmlnder VITA del
| fearful responsibilities attached 70 reverse.
Again; II 3 well thai the public should 90 mad,
aware tha. The details OF all naval .anfa IN I'M
Subdivisions Of a squadron are, nagr'e. measure no
ssariy N 70 the discretion q u SENIOR Queer egu
manning in zach division shs has boon III
case u James river; bat. while the senior Oh
Ger there has posscsse,s snd ialy OScrci.od iii
| discretionary power, no has boon governed &
general policy IS the clmmardaf.la chof of IL
ssuadron, W. would rot ioafhy iotcs soool
atacs a. -,sst fort Darling pefthsd Ia s, upon biI
Ug o.s u the reach Mana ins and com6apiing Va
aprD.,rh ana baTrCics 81 tl9 riyif, MI IS lule
~ circumstances would hayo iuesred u ieast 80
as4biity 81 success. Nuatitl ullAi wrhoi ~ ff.
| N rnts pra0 cr darug La7 10 % nce3td u eni
tho operations u tno navy u Jsael ,jysr mo