ARMSTRONG, Commander, commanding to Gideon Welles, November 13, 1862

[Forwarded by A. A. Harwood, Commandant.]

Sir: Your communication of November 13th has been received. In reply, I have the honor to state that “the complaints contained in the protest, that the Sunbeam was unnecessarily fired into at point-blank range by the State of Georgia with shells, whilst stationary, and that, although a great portion of her stores had been lost in the hurrieane, no fresh supplies were placed on board for the master and remaining members of the crew, who were brought to New York under the charge of the prize crew,” are not founded in fact.

The Sunbeam was captured by this ship, the Mystic being in company, on the morning of the 28th of September last, while endeavoring to run the blockade.

The enclosed extract from the log-book of this ship shows that the Sunbeam did not stop when a leeward gun was fired, but kept on until a shell was fired over her, and that even after she had rounded to, she backed in towards the fort until a shell fired astern of her caused her to stop. Those were the only three guns fired.

I enclose copies of an order given on the 28th of September to examine the Sunbeam, and the report of the officers ordered on this duty. This report and the certificate of Acting Master Folsom show there was no want of stores for whole number of persons sent in her to New York.

I am informed that no examination has been had of the prize officers sent in charge of the Sunbeam; I have no doubt their evidence will fully disprove the statement contained in the protest referred to.

Sir, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,