Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

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MEMOIRS OF JOHN ADAMS DIX.

and given to General Dix by Mrs. Blodgett at the Metropolitan Fair in 1864. An account of the presentation will be
found farther on. In the mean time the reader may be glad
to know the history of the flag which was flying on the revenue-cutter when the now famous despatch was sent to Mr.
Hemphill Jones. The striking incidents are contained in the
following documents:
"Head-quarters, Department of the Gulf,
Now Orleans, La., June 26, 1862.
" M DEAR GENERAL,-When I read your decisive and patriotic order,
as Secretary of Treasury,' to shoot on the spot' whomsoever should attempt to haul down the American flag, my heart bounded with joy. It
was the first bold stroke in favor of the Union under the past administration.
"It gives me, therefore, redoubled pleasure more directly to testify
my admiration by sending you the identical flag of the revenue-cutter
McClelland, which was the subject of that order, together with the Confederate flag which was hoisted by traitor hands in its place.
"David Ritchie, a young Scotch sailor on board that boat, remaining
true to his adopted country when so many of her sons proved recreant,
went on board the McClelland when she was being burnt by the Confederates and brought off the flags.
"His affidavit, which accompanies this, will give the detail of the
facts.
"I doubt not the Secretary of the Treasury will permit you to retain
the flags, which could not be in better hands.
" Believe me, General, most truly yours, BENJ. F. BUTLER."
"To Major-general JOHN A. DIx.
"' Statement of David Ritchie.
"'Am a native of Montrose, in the north of Scotland; have lived in
this country seven years; have followed the sea as a profession since I
left school.
"'For two years prior to August, 1859, I was employed by Henry
Mitchell, Esq., in the United States Coast Survey Department. From
this I enlisted on board the revenue-cutter Robert McClelland, at the
time she was put in commission in New York.
" 'Was on the New York station about a year, and then left for New
Orleans, where the McClelland was to relieve the revenue-cutter Washington. Arrived at New Orleans late in September. After Mr. Jones, the