The national Republican., 1862-07-04
Navy DEPARTMENT.
I 10 1000


June 18, 1862.
Sm Your report of the encounter with the
rebel fleet on the 9Th instant, off Memphis, on.
nnuncing your complete success, aided by Col.
Elicit, with the ram feet, In capturing the
eaemy's fotilla, has been received and read
with satisfaction. congratulate you and your
associates on the virtual annihilation OF the
rebel naval force on the Mississippi and the
surrender to you Of the city Of Memphis. These
ents are the sequel Of gallant services rem
red by our naval heroes and those who have
zen associated with them In series Of con
1icts and triumphs on the Western waters, for
the maintenance Of the rightful authority oil
the Government and the integrity Of the Union
You, and all who have been connected with
you in this triumph, are justly entitled 10 the
lhahks ol the Government and country.
am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLEs.
Flag Oniccr Charles Henry Davis, comnanI.
ing Western aoti!la, Cairo, Illinois.
The following reply to the above was re-
:eiyed from Commander Davis:
U. ). FLAG STEAMER "BENTON"
MEMPHIS, June ~, 1862.
SIR: The letter Of the Department Of the 18Th
instant, CongratuiatiOg myself and the officers
OF the engagement OF tho 9Th instant, has been
received and read with upsllOyed pleasure.
The satisfaction with the Mccess of the day
expressed by the Department and its appro.
baton generally constitute at once the proof
and the reward of service. ] shall cause your
letter TO be read on board Of every vessel in
the squadron, embracing those not present on
the 9Th inst. that all may perceive that former
services are not forgotten, and that the Depart
ment In viewing present events, still cheri.h
the Remembrance Of long series of confiic,s
and triumphP, oil which these events are the
sequel.
have the honor u be, very rsspesIf ully
your obedient servant,
Flag officer, commanding naval forces on the
Mississippi and It's tributaries.
Hon. GIDEON WELIEs,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC.
The following, also to Commander Davis, has
been issued:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, June 27, 1862
SIR Your dispatch OF the 10Th instant, com
municsting information of the capture Of two
batteries at st. Charles, and the removal Of oh
struc.ions which have probably given us the
command Of White river, has been received.
The intelligence Of the continued success Of
Il . navy Is most gratifying but the victory at
st. Charles Is mingled with regret for the
lamentsd dead, and sympathy for the wounded
who were victims OF the fatal accident to the
Mound City, and Of their barbarous opponents,
who fired upon them alter that great calamity.
The contrast between these barbarites of a
savage enemy at st. Charles, and the humane
efforts Of yourself aud your command to rescue
the wounded and disabled at Memphis, Is hon
orabls 10 the gallant men Of the fotila, and
will be gratefully remembered.
The nation honoring the memory and suffer
ings of its heroes sympathizes with the wounded
survivors and the bereaved families Of the gal.
liant dead
The noblest tributes are due to those who
bleed for their country, aud di. Ia its cause.
| am respectfully, your obedient servant
GIDEON WELLEs.
Flag Officer CHAs. H. DAVIS, Commanding West
ern Flotilla, Memphis.