Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/561

 560 Southern Historical Society Papers.

2. They were turned over by Littlepage to Halbach, and were read by Dr. Bagby and others before there was any opportunity even if there had been any disposition to forge them.

3. They were carried direct to Colonel Beale, who read them and sent the papers by Lieutenant Pollard to Richmond, while retaining for some time the memorandum-book in which most of the papers were copied, and afterwards sending it also to Richmond.

4. Lieutenant Pollard delivered the papers to General Fitz. Lee, who carried them to President Davis.

5. Every one of these witnesses testify that the papers were the same as those published.

6. We have photograph copies of the originals, which Major Campbell testifies were made under his own "immediate super- vision," which are identical with the published documents, and the writing of which so corresponds to that of Colonel Dahlgren that any competent expert would testify that it is the same.

Can there be the shadow of a doubt, then, as to the full and com- plete proof of the authenticity of the "Dahlgren Papers"?

The Opening of the Lower Mississippi in April, 1862 A Reply to Admiral

Porter.

By Captain W. C. WHITTLE.

The Century, illustrated monthly magazine, of April, 1885, con- tains an article by Admiral David D. Porter, of the United States Navy, entitled "The Opening of the Lower Mississippi April, 1862."

Before the article appeared I received a very polite letter from W. Lewis Eraser, Esq., manager of the Century, requesting me, as one of the officers of the Confederate iron-clad Louisiana, to furnish such a description as I could of the Louisiana, and of her construction, to accompany an article soon to appear in their magazine, enclosing me at the same time a pencil sketch of the vessel, of which he said, " from the enclosed drawing furnished by Admiral Porter, we con- clude that she was somewhat similar to the Merrimac." I concluded from that clause that Admiral Porter might be the author of the article referred to.

I gladly supplied Mr. Eraser with as good a sketch and description of the Louisiana as I was able from my short experience on board and knowledge of her, and touched upon an incident connected with