Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-01-05
ADmIRAL DUPONT

dec % I'm.
W
ADMIRAL DUPONT.
For several months past, certain newspa-
pers have teemed with articles condemnato-
nv of Admiral DuPoNT for the failure to take |
Charleston in April last. The assertion has
been made that he was provided with every
thing necessary to make successful assault
on that rebel stronghold, and it has been
meanly nsinuated that the Admiral did not
desireito accomplish the work. 1t must he
gratifying to every Deawarean, indeed to
every friend of truth and justice, to find that
the Admiral has been fully indicated from
all the charges preferred against him, by the
testimony of the officers under his command.
1t has been shown beyond the possibility oi
successful contradiction, that everything was
done which human agency could employ to
take Charleston, and that the cause
of the failure was not with Admiral DuPoNT
or the gallant men under his command, but
was the result Of having placed at his dispo-
sal TO he used in the attack, class of moni-
tors, which have been proven TO be worthless
for such purpose. On the removal of the
gallant DuPoNr, Admiral Dahlgren was
placed in command. and after lapse of
months although aided by a strong land
force under the indomtable and persever-
ing Gilmore, he has never approached as near
to Charleston with his monitors as DuPoNT
had been in April.
The testimony also shows that the mont
tors were seriously damaged on the occasion
Of the attack by DuPoNT, and that it would
have been foolhardiness on the part of the
Admiral to have renewed ii on the day fol-
lowing. Time however has demonstra-
ted that he acted wisely and well, and places
his fame high as a naval commander. He
needs no further yindication.
The motives which prompt these charges
OF inefIiciency and want Of disposition
against Admiral DupoNr, are too trans
parent to be alluded to here further than to
condemn and pity the men, who, to subserve
certain monitor interest, have so far forgot
truth and honor, as to endeavor to malign
and traduce one of the bravest commanders
that ever trod the deck of a ship. That they
will have their labor for their pains and the
popular indignation for their reward, is be-
ing fully manifested by the Developments oil
the current history of the siege of Charles
ton us at present conducted by Admiral
Dahlgren. So true soldier, so patient II
christian gentleman, and so devoted friend
to the cause of Union and Liberty as Ad
miral DuPoNT is known TO be, can well ailorl
TO be abused by pocket-book patriots ant
traders in the character and reputation o
the brave and the noble of the land.
We give below extracts from the testimo
ny of some of the officers of the feet ant
may give others at a future day, We invite
our readers to give them an attentive peru
sal. They are as follows:-
Captain DRAYTos, of the Passiac:
AT the fourth shot from XI inch gun, ,rq
struck in quick succession in he loger part Of N
furret By tWo heaUy shot, Which Jugsd IN its plate
and beams. ind forcing together tie rats o.
ohieh The HI-mch carFiGge porked, rendered i
wholly useless for Ms remainder Of Tie detien
several hours being necessary to put it again il
working order. Soon after it was discovered
that there ieas something The matter wiM Merurre
itssf irhieh could not he mOped, and on examina
ton it was found that part of the brass ring
underneath it had been broken OIL and being
forced in board, had jamnej ON clearing thin
the turret could again be moved, but for somt
time irregulary. little after II very heavy
rifle shot struck the upper edge of the turret
broke all Of its eleven plates, and then gancinl
upward took the piot-honse, yet with such fore,
as TO make nn iudehtation OF two and a hall
inches, extending nearly the whole length of Oh,
shot The blow was severe as to considera
bly, mash in the pilot-house bend it over, oper
nIn nnA d
one side it was lii,ed up three inches above the
top Of which it rested, exposing the inside oil
the pilot-house, and rendering il likely that the
next shot would take off the top itself entirely
Captain RoDuERs, of the weehawken:
Two or three heavy shot struck the side armo
near the same place. They have 80 broken Ia,
iron that it only remaios in spintered fragment
upon that spot much of it can be picked of h,
hand, and the wood is exposed
The deck was pierced so as to make a hole
through which water ran into the vessel but
was not large Thriy-six bolts we're broken i
the tutret, and good many in the pilot house
but as these concealed by an iron lining.
have no means Of knowing how many.
AT one time the turtet revoVed with diIicult
10 consequence Of u shot upon its junction viii
the pilot house. but ii worked well again sftr
few turns had been made with higher steam
Captain WoRDEN, Of the Montauk:
desire to say that experienced serion. en-
barrassmens IN manouvtring my vessel in IN
narrow and uncertain emanuel with Tho u;,a
means Of observation afforded from the MI
house, uHder the rapid and concentrated fl,
from the forts, the vessels OF the fleet clo
around me, and neither compass nor buoys
guide me. After testing the weight of the Gu
lny's fire, and observing the distractions 1 a
led to believe that Charleston cannot be taken
the naval force now present, and that had Il
attaek been continued, IT could not have fail
to result in disaster.
Commandtr AMNEN, of the Pata1seo:
FOriy-seVen projectiles of the enemy stru,
the vessel. No damage was done which disabl