New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-06-27
Capture of the Atianta-Ohicinl Becegni
ton Of Heroic Services.

The following official letter has been addressed BY
the Secretary of the Navy to Capt. Rodgers Of the
Union iron. clad Weehawken:
NAVY DEPARTMENT. June as 1883.
SIR: Your dispatch Of the l7th inst, announcing
the capture of the Rebel iron-cad steamer Finga
alias Atlanta, has been received. Although gal
lsntiy sustained by Comm0Dder John Downes OF
the Nahant, the victory, owing to the brevIfy OF
the combat was yours, and il gives me unaffected
pleasure to congratulate you upon the result. Every
contest in which he iron clads have been engaged
against iron. cads has been instructive, aud anordi
! food for reflection. The lessons TO be drawn are
momentous.
/ On the stb of March 1862, there were lying at
anchor in Hampton Roads the first class steam
frgates Roanoke and Miunesoa, the sailing frigaes
Congress aud ST. Lawrence, the race Cumberland,
and several gunboats. In the presence Of tbs for.
midable force, representing the highest offensive
power Of the wooden navy, boldly appeared the
Rebel iror-cad steamer Mvrrlmac, and, notwith.
standing the broadsides poured into her by and the
heroic defeuse Of the Congress aud the Cumberland,
these two wooden vessels We're easily destroyed,
and the fate OF the others only reserved for the
morrow. During the night, however, the Monitor,
the rst vessel of her class arrived aud on the YIN
Of March, when the morning msts lifted ana showed
tho Merrimac and her wooden coDsorts approaching
TO complete the work OF destruction our deiehse
consisted not in the great SHIPS that were still afoat,
and their numerous heavy guns, but IN single small
ron-clad vessel armed with two guns.
History has recorded the courage and skill OF
Commander John Wofuen VINO, disappearing in
the rmohe OF the sivaucing feet, tspersed and put
to flight their wooden steamers turned at bay the
Mernmac grapIled with that formidable monster
and drove her back into Norfolk kept her there
nn the evacuation OF that place led tue Rebels TO
destroy THAR famous ironclad rather than encounter
and risk her capture by her pnny Antagonist. The
essous OF that contest taught US the nadequacy OF
wooden vessels and our existing ordnance 10 meet
srmorel ships. For inland operations the Monitor
turret was immediately adopted, and the l5-iDch
gun of Rodman, being the only gun Of greater
weight than the ll-ioch yet tested was ordered 10
be placed in the turrets OF the vessels that were
constructing TIE result OF this policy is developed
III tie action through which yon have just passed.
In fifteen minutes and with four shots, you over.
powered aud captured formidable steamer but
slightly inferior 20 the Merrimsca vessel that the
prt ceding year. lad battled with not very serious
injury 10 herself against TOUR irig-tes, razee, and
for time with one Monitor armed with ll-ineh
guns; thus demons rating the offensive power OF the
new and improved Monitors armed with guns OF 10
inch caliber.
Your early connection with the Mississippi Flo
illa and your participation In the projection and
construction of the first ron.clads on the Western
waters your heroic conduct in the attack Oh Drugs
Bluff; the high moral courage that led you 10 put
to sea In the Weehawken upon the approach OF
violent storm in order to test the seagoing qualities
of these new craft as the time when u safe anchor
age was close under your lee; the brave and daring
manner ia ich YOU, with your associates, pressed
the iron clads under the concentrated fire OF the
batteries Charleston harbor, and there tested and
proved the endurance and resisting power OF those
vessels and your browning successful achievement
in the capture Of the Fngal, alias Atlanta, are all
proofs of skill and courage and devotion 10 Inc
country and the cause OF the Union, regardless Of
self, that cannot be permitted to pass unrewarded
To your heroic daring aud persistent moral eo1r.
age, beyond that Of any other individual, 10 the
country indebted for the development, under trying
and varied circumstances on the ocean, under enor.
mous batteries on aud and in successful rencounter
with a formidable floating antagonist, of the cspa-
blties and qua Of attack and resistance Of the
monitor class of vessels and their heavy armament.
For thess heroic and servicesble acts have pre-
pentsd your name to the President, requesting him
to RECOMMEND that Congress give you vote Of
thanks in order that you may be advanced TO the
grade OF Commodore in the American Navy.
Very respectfully kc,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary Of the Navy.
Capt. JoHs Ropesxs, u. 8. Navy commanding U. O.
steamer Weehawken. South Atlantic Squadron, Port
koya, SC.