Transcript:
Navy Department
Washington, D.C. April 23 1865
Rear Admiral D.D. Porter,
Comg. M.A.B. Squadron
Hampton Roads Va.
Continue to exercise the utmost vigilance over all vessels departing from the limits of gun command—Booth is endeavoring to escape by water. Send a gun back on some tugs to examine the shores and islands of the eastern shore of Virginia and all rebels in that direction and arrest and seize all suspicious parties. If you have any tugs to spare send them into the Potomac.
Gideon Welles
Citation: Gideon Welles (1802-1878), telegram to David Dixon Porter. Washington, D.C.; 23 April 1865. AMs 476/19