John A. Dix to George B. McClellan, October 7, 1861

Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: In reply to the letter of your assistant adjutant-general, —

Major Williams, of the 5th instant, inclosing an extract of a letter from General H. H. Lockwood, of the 23d of September, I desire to say that there is not a steamboat or tug at my disposal here, and I do not think there is a single one among those recently purchased fit for the

service for which General Lockwood requires one. They all draw too – –

much water. I have not seen one that draws less than 10 feet. Two months ago, about a fortnight after I assumed command here, I asked for four steamers, with suitable armaments, of not more than four hundred tons burden. They ought not to draw over 5 feet of water. With such a vessel one could go up the rivers and enter the numberless inlets and bays on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, breaking up the illicit trade now carried on with Virginia and the meetings which are

held at various points in hostility to the Government. Some steamboats have been fitted up here, but they are poor things, heavy, inconvenient, and cramped, with scanty accommodations even for the crews, and utterly incapable of carrying a company of soldiers. I was on

board of one, the Hercules, afew days ago. She is a clumsy craft, with – one gun, and draws over 10 feet of water. None of these vessels have –

* Some matters of detail omitted.

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been placed under my control. The only two vessels. I have here are the Hope and the Jackson, both revenue cutters, sailing craft, and drawing over 10 feet. If there is a different class of vessels at Washington it would be very well, in case they can be spared, to order two or three of them here. I can send one to General Lockwood and employ the others to a very great advantage. If there are none, it is very enemy cannot cross there.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,