Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Reports from Vicksburg and Port Hudson state that the sieges of those places still continue. We learn to-day, through the insurgent press, that the Fingal, which, during her long imprisonment at Savannah, had been converted into an iron-clad ship-of-war, was last week captured by two of our iron-clad ships, on her attempting to leave the port and enter upon her work of piracy.
I informed you by the last mail that Lee’s insurgent army had been put in motion, and that General Hooker had consequently taken a new position with the army of the Potomac. These changes have been attended by much activity of the cavalry of both armies, thus far unfruitful of important results. While due efforts have been made to prepare against surprise upon our part, the enemy’s plan of attack has not yet been satisfactorily ascertained.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.