| C. S. S. "Chattahoochee" |
| Chattahoochee, Fla. May 4th 1863 |
| |
| His Excellency, John Milton |
| Governor of Florida |
| |
| Sir, |
| The object of this note is to
solicit the cooperation of your Excellency concerning a matter which I
think of some importance in connection with the defence of the coast of
Florida. I will state my proposition as briefly as possible. The
Confederate Government is now constructing at Columbus, Ga. a very
formidable vessel to be iron-clad and furnished with a powerful battery
of five Brooke guns. The wood work and engines will be complete by the
end of September, the vessel will be launched about the 1st of July. The
intention is that this vessel shall operate against the Enemys
blockading force at Apalachicola and along the coast in both directions
from that place. As I have already remarked the hull and machinery will
be complete and ready for service by the latter part of September. Yet
one of the most important parts of her will not be commenced unless the
material can be obtained, to wit: the iron plating. As you are probably
aware great difficulty is experienced by the Government in obtaining the
iron necessary to plate the ironclads, now far advanced at places where
it is deemed they will be first required. In fact the Columbus boat will
have to take her turn after three new ones at Charleston, two at
Savannah, three in the Alabama and three in the Tombigbee river have
been served. Some of these, or rather the most of them, are very large
vessels, and I therefore conjecture that at least nine months from now
will be consumed before any iron will come to Columbus. Three months
will then be necessary for the operation of plating, which would bring
us up to May '64 when the river would be down and no operations could be
begun until fall. I have a plan by which I think many of these
difficulties may be obviated. Railroad bars are as good as plates for
the mail of steamers or batteries, at least I found them so in five
encounters with the enemy on the Mississippi last year; the road leading
from Cedar Keys towards Fernandina in East Florida
{Florida RR}, is now virtually in the hands of the enemy and the
iron upon it of no use consequently to the State of Florida or its
Stockholders. Now why cant a sufficient quantity of iron be obtained
from that abandoned road to plate the new vessel, say about 5 miles will
be required for the purpose. By using it no one can be damaged and much
good will accrue, especially to the State of Florida. Apalachicola will
be re-occupied at once by our forces, and its refugee citizens; the
blockaders can be driven off at stated times in order to allow vessels
to run the blockade with ease and certainty, and thus that place
instead of being deserted by its citizens, and held in a manner by the
enemy, will become again a place of commerce and trade. Negro stealing
can be put an end to, as the forces now in this river can be distributed
in suitable localities for the protection of the coast. |
| I am sure that you will agree
with me that no imaginary interest of any rail-road company should be
allowed to interfere with the public defence or the public weal. |
| I have stated a part of the
facts in connection with this important matter and you will at once see
better than I that nothing should be left untried to effect an object of
so great import. |
| I confess that I am at sea as
to the means of peaceably getting possession of the much prized article,
and therefore apply to you. The Government will pay liberally and take
it off the ground. |
| Will you do me the favor to
reply at your earliest convenience. |
| I have the honor to be |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your Obt Servt |
| Geo W. Gift |
| Lt. C. S. N. |
|