December 21, 1863 (Saturday): The Army-Navy Game

Admiral John Dahlgren

PRIVATE.] EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington, D. C., December 21, 1863.
Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR:
    MY DEAR SIR: Sending a note to the Secretary of the Navy, as I promised, he called over and said that the strikes in the ship-yards had thrown the completion of vessels back so much that he thought General Gillmore's proposition entirely proper. He only wishes (and in which I concur) that General Gillmore will courteously confer with and explain to Admiral Dahlgren.*


* * * * * * *
     Yours, as ever,
     A. LINCOLN.

    [Indorsement.]
    Referred to the General-in-Chief.

*Portion here omitted refers to affairs in Missouri, and appears in Series I, Vol. XXII. 

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 28, Part 2, Page 124.

Lincoln found himself in the middle of a minor dispute between Gillmore in South Carolina and Dahlgren, whose vessels were tasked with reducing Confederate forts in Charleston.  Gillmore wanted a joint naval-land operation and failing that wished to enlist more African-American soldiers to strengthen his force to go it alone if necessary.  Lincoln agrees, but takes note of the Navy's contention that Gillmore had been less than courteous in his discussions with Dahlgren.  The strikes were a problem for the Navy, as Dahlgren believed he needed more warships to take Charleston.  The strikes were slowing down both new construction and needed repairs.