Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward

No. 497.]

Sir: I have the honor to send you herewith a translation of a letter received by my son from M. Dufour, surgeon-in-chief of the government hospital at Cherbourg.

A telegram received the night before last, from our vice-consul at Cherbourg, states that Gowan, the seaman of the Kearsarge, most dangerously wounded, having a compound fracture of the leg, is dead.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant.

WM. L. DAYTON.

Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.

[Translation.]

Surgeon Dufour to Mr. Dayton

Sir: I am happy to give you favorable news of the three men of the Kearsarge, who were confided to my care, and whom you saw during your visit at Cherbourg. The one whose thigh and leg were seriously injured is in as satisfactory a state as possible, and I hope to be able to avoid an amputation, the result of which, as it would have to be made very high up, would be very uncertain. The sergeant whose arm was amputated is not doing badly; the last (the third) will certainly recover.

Be pleased to communicate this information to M. your father, and say to him that everything which solicitude and most lively sympathies can impose in the way of care will be given to the wounded which the fight has brought us. Be [Page 118] pleased, also, to believe in the great pleasure I will have to complete your acquaintance when I shall go to Paris. If you need any further information write me.

Believe me your very devoted. I shake you cordially by the hand.

DUFOUR, 1st Surgeon-in-chief of the Navy, President of the Board of Health.

Among the men of the Alabama, the one whose fore arm was crushed gives me much anxiety; the others much less.