Flag-Officer’s Office,
Gosport, Va., March 28, 1862
Hon. S. R. Mallory,
Secretary of the Navy, Richmond:
Sir: In further response to your letter of the 24th instant, directing the preparation of the Germantown and Confederate States for service below the harbor in obstructing approaches, &c., I have the honor to inform the Department that the Germantown is in perfect readiness to be removed at any moment, and that the Confederate States requires only the removal of her own crew and the crews of the vessels composing the squadron under the command of Flag-Officer Tatnall, which are now quartered on board her, to their respective ships or to some other quarters, to render her also ready. This can be effected quite readily. Meantime I respectfully request, since these two vessels have been named by you for the purposes indicated, that authority be given me to prepare the Plymouth for use as a receiving ship in place of the Confederate States. The time and expense involved in the preparation of this latter vessel will be inconsiderable, as she is now nearly, if not quite, in condition for the purpose.
I shall not fail, as suggested by the Department, to invite a free conference with General Huger as to the manner in which these vessels can be disposed so as to accomplish the objects contemplated.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. S. Lee,
Commandant
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 11, Part 3, p. 415
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 April 18
