Description:

Civil War
various, May 28, 1863; July 27, 1863
2 Civil War-Dated Naval Directives Signed by Gideon Welles & J.A.B. Dahlgren
LS

Two letters signed by a pair of prominent U.S. Navy officials, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles (1802-1878), and Rear Admiral and Commanding Officer of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron John A.B. Dahlgren (1809-1870). Both letters signed are Civil War-dated; the first is dated May 28, 1863 and the second is dated July 27, 1863. Various locations. Condition issues will be evaluated below but are overall near fine. 7.875" x 9.75."

Both letters contained orders for James C. Williamson (1813-1871), a career naval officer who saw significant Civil War service. Williamson, an officer since 1832, took control of the U.S.S. Brooklyn and U.S.S. Wyandotte at the onset of the Civil War. Then he commanded the U.S.S. Perry, tasked with confiscating Confederate mail ships. In early 1862, he assumed command of the U.S.S. Penguin, primarily stationed in Florida and part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. In May 1863, Williamson became the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Flag, also part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, which patrolled the waters off South Carolina and Georgia. In February 1865, Williamson was transferred to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A 1p manuscript letter signed by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles as "Gideon Welles" at center right. May 28, 1863. Navy Department [Washington, D.C.] On laid blue-lined bifold paper. Docketed on the first page at upper left and also on the outer leaf. The inner pages are blank. Light toning and flattened paper folds. Minor weathering to the outer leaf, where a former collector's pencil inscription and mounting traces can be found. Else near fine. 7.875" x 9.75."

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles instructed Williamson that "upon the reporting of your relief, Lieutenant Commander Harris, you will regard yourself as detached from the command of the Penguin and Waiting Orders…"

Gideon Welles served as Secretary of the Navy during the entire duration of the Civil War and into the Johnson administration. In the Lincoln cabinet, Welles focused on reorganizing a naval service riddled with Confederate defections, and mobilizing recruits, vessels, and supplies. Throughout the war, Welles and his navy blockaded Southern ports, weakening an economy already overly dependent on cotton exports. Welles retired from the secretaryship in early May 1869.

2. A 1p manuscript letter signed by Rear Admiral John A.B. Dahlgren as "Jno A Dahlgren" at lower right. July 27, 1863. "Flag Stmr. Dinsmore / Off Morris Island," referring to the U.S. Navy supply ship Augusta Dinsmore, a screw steamer which Dahlgren used as his flagship stationed off Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. On laid blue-lined bifold paper. Docketed on the first page at lower left and also on the outer leaf. The inner pages are blank. Light toning, flattened paper folds, and a slightly darkened and wrinkled right edge. Else near fine. 7.875" x 9.75."

Rear Admiral J.A.B. Dahlgren directed Williamson, then commander of the U.S.S. Flag, to tow the "chartered Schr. Shark" from Port Royal. After that, Williamson was to proceed to Murrells Inlet, just south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to effect a blockade there and relieve the U.S.S. Seneca.

John A.B. Dahlgren founded the U.S. Navy's ordnance department and made major advances in gunnery. Promoted to Rear Admiral in February 1863, Dahlgren took command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, where he worked with General Quincy A. Gillmore on the siege of Charleston and with General William T. Sherman on the capture of Savannah in December 1864.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 7.875" x 9.75"
  • Medium: LS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

August 27, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000