Fort McHenry, August 31, 1861.
My Dear Sir, —
I have received the letter of the Postmaster of Baltimore, with your
endorsement, in regard to the Exchange and other Secessionist presses in
that city.
I presume you are not aware that an order for the
suppression of these papers was made out in one of the Departments at
Washington, and, in consequence of strong remonstrances from Union men in
Baltimore, was not issued. Under these circumstances it would not be proper for
me to act without the authority of the Government. Any action by me without
such authority would be improper for another reason that probably does not
occur to you. The command of General McClellan has been extended over the State
of Maryland. I am his subordinate, and have corresponded with him on the
subject. I cannot, therefore, act without his direction.
But, independently of this consideration, I think a measure
of so much gravity as the suppression of a newspaper by military force should
carry with it the whole weight of the influence and authority of the
Government, especially when the publication is made almost under its eye.
There is no doubt that a majority of the Union men in
Baltimore desire the suppression of all the opposition presses in the city; but
there are many, and among them some of the most discreet, who think
differently.
The city is now very quiet and under control, though my
force is smaller than I asked. There is a good deal of impatience among some of
the Union men; they wish to have something done. The feeling is very much like
that which prevailed in Washington before the movement against Manassas. It
would not be difficult to get up a political Bull Run disaster in this State.
If the Government will give me the number of regiments I ask, and leave them
with me when I have trained them to the special service they may have to
perform, I will respond for the quietude of this city. Should the time for
action come, I shall be ready. In the mean time preparation is going on. I am
fortifying Federal Hill under a general plan of defence suggested by me and
approved by General Scott. Two other works will be commenced the moment I can
get an engineer from Washington.
On the Eastern Shore there should be prompt and decisive
action. I have urged it repeatedly and earnestly during the last three weeks.
Two well-disciplined regiments should march from Salisbury, the southern
terminus of the Wilmington and Delaware Railroad, through Accomac and
Northampton Counties, and break up the rebel camps before they ripen into
formidable organizations, as they assuredly will if they are much longer
undisturbed. No man is more strongly in favor of action than I am; but I want
it in the right place. We are in more danger on the Eastern Shore than in any
other part of the State.
I am, dear Sir,
sincerely yours,
John A. Dix.
SOURCE: Morgan Dix, Memoirs of John Adams Dix,
Volume 2, p. 30-1
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