American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

Autograph letter signed ("A") to Mr. [John McIntosh Kell]. Wheeling, WV, 13 February 1866. The integral address leaf partially identifies the recipient as John M. K. 4 pages, 4to, toning and small losses on old folds.

The addressee is John McIntosh Kell, Executive officer to the ship’s commander, Raphael Semmes. The writer uses initials for himself and his correspondent, as well as for destinations, because, as an officer on board the Alabama, he is subject to arrest for treason, as the Alabama was a commercial raider. The letter was written during the period between 15 December 1865, when Semmes was arrested for treason, and 7 April 1866, when he was released and the charges dropped. “A” plans to leave the country to evade arrest. He notes press reports to the effect that “the U. S. Government will guarantee safe conducts to all the offrs. of our ship who will come forward and testify against  S[emmes]. I write you this to put you on your guard, and I am thus placed in an unpleasant fix. I had intended embarking at B. or D., but as I am certain almost that I will be arrested, I will have to make other ships...” He says he would testify for Semmes if he thought it would do any good, but I cannot testify against the Capt. and by such admit that I was a pirate.” In any event, he doesn’t think that Semmes will be punished: “I am however informed of a communication between an old messmate of mine, and the son of the redoubtable Capt. who commanded the Kearsarge, who was his father’s secretary, and which is as follows...In the course of conversation, the doctor asked said individual ‘what he thought would be done with Admiral Semmes.’  He said ‘Nothing’—’Semmes was guilty of no violation of the rules of war, so my father is coming here (to testify), on a fool’s errand.’”  The charges against Semmes were dropped and he was released. "A” goes on to name fellow officers who have secured lucrative positions with the Chilean Navy—Catesby Jones and W. L. Glassett—and offers to intercede on Kell’s behalf if he’s interested. An intriguing letter written in the aftermath of the famous battle fought off Cherbourg, France, on 19 June 1864.

[With:] STRINGHAM, L. H. Autograph letter signed ("L.H. Stringham"), to William Faxon, Chief Clerk Navy Department. U.S. Navy Yard, Boston, 17 March 1865. 1 page, 8vo, on U.S. Navy Yard letterhead. The commandant writes to Faxon informing him that two canes are on the way. “One of them is made from the stern post of the Kearsarge, the piece being taken from near the place where the Alabama’s shot struck it. The other is made from one of the ribs of the boat of the Alabama. The boat was broken up by a shot from the Kearsarge, and I had the ribs of a part of it straightened and turned.” The war didn’t end until Lee surrendered on 9 May 1865, by which time the souvenir mentality had already established itself.