The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1865-08-22

CD STATEMENT OF ACTING MASTER F. M MON
TELL LATE COMMANDING u s. GUNBoAT po-
TOMSKA. u. s. Non my roturn to this city from
Washington, by request Of many friends, respectfully
place before the public my for leaving the city
80 suddenly on tho I'd instant.
From the reports made by few returning persons
lnve to my proceedings Cooper River while com.
mand OF the U. s. steamer Potonska to Lieut. Comman-
der BARRETT he induced to prefer charges against
me. By permission of Rear-Adrxircl RADFoRp pro-
cceded to Washington to have the Investigation before
the Honorable Secretary of Navy. After remaining in
the city for week, had the honor to receive the
ncxcd letter and to be honoraby acquitted. and
spectfuly beg to place before the public their
attention to 80 base act of in justice
At the evacuation of Charleston I h,6 tho honor TO
command the u s. steamer Fc:onSka and was the first
gunboat inside the harbor. few days afterwards, ill
accordance with ORDERS reported for duty to the army
and remained Cooper River until April o. when
ceivcd scaled orders and sailed for the Gulf
While on duty with the Fo;onska on Cooper River
myself and crew constantly employed night and
day in removing the deserted and children to
this city, giving aid and assistance persons need
keeping the negroes at work and the plantations:
preventing destruction of property and putting down
unruly and insubordinato persons; sending to town
abandoned provisions to feed the starving destitute;
providing medical aid and comforts for those need;
and wherever it was needed ratons issued from
the iotomska; officers and sent miles Away from my
command errands of mercy, and in were
anbushcd and cap tured.
am sorry to say our services have been forgotten
since peace and few ungratefil persons, returning
again to their homes have sought to reflect dscreit on
our good deeds.
AS the commanding officer of the Iotomska feel in
justice to the ships and myself that this letter
saould be placed in public print We have all fought in
defence of countrys cause proud in being
able to receive from her the honorable discharge which
is sailors pride and which will be placed before our
cbidren's children n memorial forever.
For our services We ask remuneration but we OBJ
ject to par. with the honors gained in the past
four years
deem it proper say that hold certificates and re-
ceipts for all abandoned grain and furniture &c re-
moved from Cooper River also my for doing;
and again repeat in justice to myself and crew. that
we are willing and able to meet any charges that may
ever be brought against u.s. that may tho
respect and confidence of government and superior
officers.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obcdient servant
F. M. moNTELL,
Acting Master U. s. Navy
Late Commanding q. s. Steamer Poton,&ka.
NAVY DEPARTMENT..
WAsHISGToS, August H. 1865
SIR: From the evidence presented, the Department is
satisfied that the charges preferred against you by
Commander EDWARD BARRETT were made by him upon
reports which have since been shown to be unreliable
and are without foundation in fact No further proceed
ings will therefore be had.
at your request you are hereby granted three (3l
months leave of absence from this date the expiration
of which leave you will report by this De-
partment You will ut all times keep the Department
advised of your address.
Very respectfully, G. WELLEs
Secretary of the Navy.
Acting Master F. 81. MoSrEL1 late commanding u g.