Confederate States Navy Department, Office of orders and detail, Richmond, December 24, 1862.Sir — By order of the Secretary of the Navy, you are hereby appointed president of a court of inquiry to be convened in this city on the 5th day of January next.Captain S. S. Lee and Commander Robert G. Robb have been ordered to report to you, and with yourself will compose the court. [242]
Mr. George Lee Brent will report to you as recorder.
You will inquire into the whole official conduct of Commander John K. Mitchell, Confederate States navy, while in command of the steamer “Louisiana,” and in charge of the vessels of the Confederate States navy at and below New Orleans; and report the same to this Department, with your opinion whether the said officer did, or did not, do all in his power to sustain the honor of the flag, and prevent the enemy from ascending the Mississippi river, and if he did not, to what extent did he fail to do so.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. Forrest, Chief of Bureau. Flag Officer Samuel Barron, Confederate States Navy, Commanding, &c., James River, Virginia.
