Description:

Civil War
various, February 27, 1861 - November 27, 1866
Civil War-Dated Or Era Naval Directives Signed by Gideon Welles & J.A.B. Dahlgren, 3 Pcs Total, 1861-1866
ALS, LSs
A group of Civil War-dated or Civil War-era naval directives, including two 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). The three letters are dated: February 27, 1861; September 8, 1864; and November 27, 1866. Various locations. Condition issues will be evaluated below but is overall near fine. Average size: 7.75" x 9.75."

All three 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, in chronological order:

1. A 1p manuscript letter signed by a Navy Department official as "P Toucey" at lower right. February 27, 1861. Navy Department [Washington, D.C.] Regarding a new assignment on the "U.S. Steam Sloop of War Brooklyn." On laid blue-lined bifold paper featuring a large "Navy Department" watermark. Docketed on the first page and also on the outer leaf, and counter-signed twice by future Rear Admiral Samuel Livingston Breese (1794-1870), as "Saml. L. Breese, Commdg." The inner pages are blank. Light toning and flattened paper folds. Minor weathering to the outer leaf. Else near fine. 7.75" x 9.75."

2. A 1p autograph letter signed by Rear Admiral John A.B. Dahlgren as "J Dahlgren / R. Adm" at lower right. September 8, 1864. "Flagship 'Philadelphia.'" On laid bifold paper. Docketed on the outer leaf. The inner pages are blank. Light toning and flattened paper folds, else near fine. 7.75" x 9.75."

Rear Admiral J.A.B. Dahlgren directed Williamson, then commander of the U.S.S. Flag, to prevent an escape attempt from Ossabaw by the "Water Witch." Dahlgren wrote: "You will make every exertion to prevent this - using all assistance and the guns ready for use at a moment…"

The U.S.S. Water Witch, a side-wheel gunboat built in 1852, had until recently been part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron monitoring the Georgia coast. The vessel, moored just outside Savannah, was surprised and captured by Confederate raiders on June 2, 1864. The Confederates were stymied in their efforts to actually use their prize, hiding it until finally burning it in December 1864. But in September 1864, three months after it had fallen into enemy hands, Dahlgren anticipated the Confederates were going to attempt a dash from Ossabaw Sound Island, a large barrier island located about 15 miles south of Savannah.

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.

3. A 1p manuscript letter signed by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles as "G. Welles" at lower right. November 27, 1866. 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, where it is signed by two medical officers. The inner pages are blank. Expected wear including flattened paper folds and scattered minor stains. Else near fine. 7.75" x 9.75."

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles instructed Williamson to report to Philadelphia for two physical examinations to be performed by a Board of Medical Officers and a Board of Line Officers, to evaluate Williamson's "mental, moral, and professional fitness to perform all your duties at sea..."

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.

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.

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  • Dimensions: average size: 7.75" x 9.75"
  • Medium: ALS, LSs

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