Donald MacNeill Fairfax

Letter from Donald MacNeill Fairfax to Benjamin Franklin Butler, September 18, 1862

U. S. Steam Gun Boot Cayuga, Sept. 18, 1862. Off Mobile

[Not in chronological order]

Major General Butler, Comdg. Gulf Dept.

Dear Sir: Captain Ransom has recently informed me of Commo. Porter's extraordinary conduct in assailing me in my absence, and that among entire strangers. He asserts that "I did run away" and leave the "Essex" to fight the Ram "Arkansas" alone.

Captain Ransom has done me no more than justice in pronouncing this report of Wm. D. Porter's "an infamous falsehood." It can be shown that the "Essex" did not engage the
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Ram "Arkansas" at all -- unless laying beyond the range of either vessels' guns, and occasionally firing a shot, can be so designated!

The "Arkansas" was destroyed by her own crew, and abandoned before our little fleet then on duty at Baton Rouge, -- it was the presence of the "Essex," more than a match for "Arkansas," and our Gun Boats, and the crippled condition of "Ram" that induced Capt. Stevens to destroy her. Commander Porter failed to bring his vessel into action as he assured me he would, at the same time asserting that he "knew the `Arkansas,' and that the `Essex' could readily whip her." Lt. Perkins had my orders what to do in the event of an attack -- to keep within supporting distance of "Essex." My plan was to pass up stream and engage Ram at her vulnerable point -- her stern -- while "Essex," fighting upstream, kept her in position favorable to my plan.

It is scarcely worth your time to read a statement of the whole matter, as I have sent one to Capt Ransom and requested him to give you all the particulars. You know Lt. Perkins -- he has the reputation of being brave and truthful, in my opinion they are necessary to each other. Do you think it likely that I would run from a fight with such a man at my side? General Butler, I hold such relations to this rebellion that I would die a thousand times rather than give my Southern acquaintances an opportunity to say that the only coward of a brave people deserted his State and hearth-side to fight on the stronger side. But I will not longer detain you, -- you will greatly oblige me by showing this to those of your officers who were present when Commodore Porter forgot himself, and assailed one of his profession behind his back -- at the same time seeming to be friendly when last we met. Had Porter not assailed me I should never have spoken of the Ram -- leaving it to his own conscience entirely whether he destroyed her -- or her own officers and crew. As it is, I shall have all possible light thrown upon the whole matter. If you will give Ransom anything to show officially what Porter asserted about me, you will confer a great favor.

Yours very respectfully, D. M. W. Fairfax