American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Featuring Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana & Historical Documents

2 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. CDV on cardstock mount (toning to print and mount, scattered spotting, clipped mount) identified on verso in period pencil as "Acting Master U.S.N. / J.C. Wentworth / Commanding / US Steamer 'Daffodil' / off Charleston S.C." Backmark of H.C. Foster, Morris Island, South Carolina. Wentworth wears the regulation uniform of his rank under the 1864 Regulations with shoulder straps and cuffs having a star with two rows of braid. Armed with a M1852 sword. 

[With:] Autograph letter signed ("J.C. Wentworth") to his uncle William Banton of Knox Corner, Maine. 26 July 1863. Written aboard the U.S. Steamer Daffodil. Morris Island, S.C. off Charleston. 1p, 7 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. Accompanied by cover addressed to Banton bearing handstamp "U.S. Ship" and handwritten "From U.S. Steamer Daffodil." Wentworth describes the 1863 Siege of Charleston Harbor noting the constant firing, the presence of a large fleet of ironclads, and two charges on Fort Wagner. -- Autograph letter signed ("J.C. Wentworth") to Banton. 11 October 1863. 2p, 5 x 8 in. Accompanied by cover. Wentworth predicts there "is going to be a hard battle soon we are going to attack Charleston on all points on the 20th that is the calculation now and it is the opinion that we shall be successful ... the fleet is gathering at Charleston and Gen. Gilmore is getting reinforcement." Wentworth also relates the alarm caused when rebel torpedos were sent into the fleet. -- Two additional covers without correspondence.

US Navy and Marine Corps Registries indicate that "J.C. Wentworth" served from 1862-1865, though it appears he first enlisted in Boston in 1861. The USS Daffodil was a converted side-wheeler steamer armed with 2 20-pdr. rifles and a crew of 35.  She joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in December 1862 and remained at the Port Royal, SC station for the duration of the war.  Daffodil served largely as a tug, occasionally engaged in riverine reconnaissance forays along the South Carolina and Georgia coast.  She was sold out of service in 1867.

See also Lot 336, the letter archive of Nathan W. Curial, Co. A, 8th Minnesota Regiment. Wentworth's letters and CDV were acquired with items related to Nathan Curial. Wentworth's mother was Eliza T. Currial [sic] Wentworth (1817-1887), who was likely a sister of Nathan Curial and Rachel Curial Banton. Eliza's last name is alternately recorded as LaCurial.