OCTOBER 8, 1864: Flag Officer Mitchell wrote Secretary Mallory regarding the enlistment of Union deserters for duty with the James River squadron: "I beg that no more deserters from the enemy be sent to the squadron in the future, for they are apt not only to desert themselves, but induce others to do so who might otherwise continue loyal.
"The fidelity of no man can be relied upon who has ever proved a traitor to any flag he has engaged to serve under. They form a dangerous element on board a ship."
The difficulty of procuring qualified and competent officers and men to man the ships of the James River Squadron was to continue until the end of the war.
----Old B-Runner
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