Description:

Welles Gideon



Lincoln's Instigation Which Would Start the Civil War, the Actual Order Written by Gideon Welles


Gideon Welles Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 7.75" x 9.75"; Navy Department, Washington; April 5, 1861. At the start of the Civil War, Welles issues the following orders to the commander of the USRC Harriet Lane: "... You are hereby instructed to proceed to within ten miles due east from Charleston light where you will report to Capt M[? of the R[? for duty on the morning of the 11th..." With multiple emendations, this may be a retained draft.


If Lincoln did not dictate the terms of Welles’s orders to the sea captains, at least he knew what the terms were. It was through his subsequent secret order, dated April 1, but delivered to Captain Mercer on April 6 by the hand of Lt. David D. Porter, that Lincoln pulled off his trick.


Welles sent Capt. Mercer, in command of the Powhatan, the following instructions, which the record has dated April 5.


“The United States [Navy steamers Powhatan, Pawnee, Pocahontas, and Harriet Lane will compose a naval force under your command, to be sent to the vicinity of Charleston Harbor, for the purpose of. . . carrying out the objects of an expedition of which the War Department has charge (Scott is supplying the men and material and transports, Fox is to lead them).


The primary object. . . is to provision Fort Sumter. . . Should the authorities at Charleston refuse to permit, or attempt to prevent the vessels from entering. . .you will protect the transports or boats, open the way for their ingress, and [remove all obstructions to entry. . . The expedition has been intrusted to Captain G. V. Fox, with whom you will put yourself in communication. . .


You will leave New York with the Powhatan in time to be off Charleston bar, ten miles distant from and due east of the lighthouse. . . there to await the arrival of the transports (with Fox on board). . . The Pawnee, Pocahontas, and Harriet Lane will be ordered to join you. . . “


Welles sent similar instructions to the captains of the other three ships: They were to wait on station ten miles due east of the lighthouse for the Powhatan to arrive and then take their orders from Mercer. Obviously if Mercer and the Powhatan did not appear nothing would happen, except three ships and some transports would be floundering at sea.


From the Estate of Malcolm S. Forbes.

Condition: Very clean; with usual mail folds.




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