Congratulating his men on the Union's naval victory and capture of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. During this battle the Union also destroyed what little was left of the Confederate navy, for the time being. Applauds his men's "coolness, gallantry and skill." Commends their "strict observance of the plan of attack, and the steady but onward course of the ships without returning a shot until within 3/4 of a mile of the Fort." Congratulates them for "refraining from trespassing in the slightest degree upon the private property of defenseless people in a defenseless town." Believes "the generous offer to go onshore and extinguish the flames supplied by the torch of a vandal soldiery upon the houses of its own defenseless women and children is a striking evidence of the justness of our cause, and must have its affect in teaching the deluding countrymen a lesson in Humanity and Civilization." Written on board the "U. S. Steamer Delaware, Off Elizabeth City."