[Civil War] Union Navy

2 letters dealing with Union Naval Matters during the Civil War:



James R. Wheeler, as acting master of the U.S.S. Kearsarge. Autograph letter signed three times, 4 pages (10 x 7 1/2 in.; 253 x 190 mm), Dover, 26 July 1864, to John S. Tyler; folds strengthened, separation at central fold, tiny marginal losses, fourth page lightly browned. The sinking of the C.S.S. Alabama, a first-hand account by Acting Master Wheeler:  "Seeing by the papers from home, so many false statements respecting our fight with the 'Alabama,' I now take the liberty of writing you a true and succinct account of all that took place ... On Sunday the 12th June ... we then saw the 'Alabama' for the first time, and made up our minds not to lose sight of her again if possible ... the next morning [we] received [this] and read to the officers as follows: 'C.S.S. 'Alabama,' Cherbourg 14 June 1864 ... my intention is to fight the 'Kearsarge' as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements ... I beg she will not depart before I am ready to go out ... R. Semmes. Captain' ... You will dear sir, see by this challenge that he felt quite confident of whipping the 'Kearsarge,' but was most woefully deceived ... I give you a copy from our Log Book ... 'At 10.20 discovered the 'Alabama' steaming out from the port ... accompanied by a French iron clad steamer ... steamer showing the white English Ensign, and a yacht flag ... cleared the ship for action; steamed ahead, standing off shore at 10.50 ... altered our course and approached the "Alabama."  At 10.57 the "Alabama" commenced the action ... we returned her fire and came fairly into action which we continued until ... [we observed] signs of distress in the Enemy together with a cessation of her fire; our fire was withheld, at 12.10 a boat with an officer from the "Alabama" came alongside, and surrendered his vessel, with the information that she was rapidly sinking, and a request for assistance ... in saving the lives of the officers and crew of the surrendered vessel, at 12.24 the "Alabama" went down in 40 fathoms of water, leaving most of her crew struggling with the water, seventy persons were rescued by boats ... one pilot boat came along side us, but ... returned to the port ... without reporting the number of our prisoners she had picked up ... at 5. paroled and sent on shore 63 prisoners ... [approximately 12 soldiers were] sent to the Hospital ... having been wounded in the engagement ...



"... The whole proceedings of the [British] yacht 'Deerhound,' were very mysterious, she was first reported to me ... at seven minutes past ten, steaming out of the western Channel, and after steaming out so that she could make out the 'Kearsarge' she then ran in again, and met the 'Alabama,' the latter was not then in sight.  We did not see until 13 minutes after, whether she spoke of the 'Alabama' or not, I do not know, but I feel certain that from what some of the prisoners said after they came onboard that she was nothing but a tender to the 'Alabama,' and if it is true that 'Semmes' on his arrival onboard the 'Deerhound' begged for Gods sake not to take him to the 'Kearsarge' she (having him secured) steamed away immediately leaving about 70 of the men, struggling in the water, and for us to pick up.  'Tis not true that our boats were tardy in picking them up, as we were saving them, before Captain Winslow hailed the Deerhound and asked for Captain to assist us in saving the drowning men.  And why we let her go is no more than I can tell ... most of the officers reported to Captain W, that she had picked up the  officers of the 'Alabama,' and that she was running away with them, but Capt. W. thought they would come back, altho' I do not believe one other officer onboard thought so, however they are all gone, and it is no use to talk about it, but had I commanded the 'Kearsarge,' not one should have got away, I would have blown the 'Deerhound' ... out of the water ...



"... The papers speak of the very bad firing of the 'Alabama,' but I can assure you it was not so bad ... During the action we made seven complete circles, ranging from 1000 yards down to 450 ... Too much credit cannot be given to our crew for coolness and courage, men were never cooler, or handled their guns better, they appeared as collected as if firing at target practice ... we are now waiting for our orders for home, and hope they will soon arrive ..."



2. Gideon Welles, as Secretary of the Navy. Autograph letter signed, 4 pages (8 x 5 in.; 203 x 127 mm), Washington, D.C., 4 June 1864, to Admiral John A. Dahlgren; with original envelope addresed and signed by Welles ("G. Welles"), remnants of former tipping.



During the throes of Cold Harbor, Secretary of the Navy Welles writes Admiral Dahlgren:  "Thus far Grant has proved himself more than a match for Lee, but there is to be still further test between them before the fall of Richmond is decided.  I have faith that we shall get the peace, but the rebels are likely to make a last desperate stand..."  A remarkable letter in which Welles encourages Admiral Dahlgren to hold firm.  "... Just at this time we are much pressed in the North Atlantic and Mexican Gulf ... The advance of Grant upon Richmond must stimulate the Rebels to desperate effects with their Iron clads, torpedoes, &c, &c. in James River ... [news] comes more from [Admiral David] Farragut that Buchanan has got over the bar at Mobile with a familiar bend and accompaniments  [are] threatening to beach the Buchanan.  I have little doubt that both Ad[miral]s Farragut and Lee will have much to try their ponces and energies about these days, and I particularly regret that the former has not a couple of iron clads in this emergency.  In the meantime you must exercise patience.  There has been much, in many ways, to try you since you have had commenced the S. Atlanta squadron, and the withdrawal of the military force to such great extent together with that of the Ironsides will put to further test your position.  The contractors still lag in giving us the vessels we ought to have had months ago.  Most of them claim to have exerted themselves to meet their engagements, and they endeavor to offset their delinquency ... Whether the rebels will make any demonstration by running or attempting to run the blockade or otherwise within your limits is somewhat uncertain.  The Florida was at Bermuda on the 14th ... but we have not heard of her since.  And it is three months since we have had any tidings of the Alabama.  There has been a vast amount of hard fighting since you left, and very many thousands now pound out their blood in the cause.  Thus far Grant has proved himself more than a match for Lee, but there is to be still further test between them before the fall of Richmond is decided.  I have faith that we shall get the peace, but the rebels are likely to make a last desperate stand before yielding it.  I hope your health continues good.  We are having pleasant weather and I expect you also ..."

First: Autograph letter signed three times, 4 pages (10 x 7 1/2 in.; 253 x 190 mm), Dover, 26 July 1864, to John S. Tyler; folds strengthened, separation at central fold, tiny marginal losses, fourth page lightly browned. Second: Autograph letter signed, 4 pages (8 x 5 in.; 203 x 127 mm), Washington, D.C., 4 June 1864, to Admiral John A. Dahlgren; with original envelope addresed and signed by Welles ("G. Welles"), remnants of former tipping.
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