American Historical Ephemera & Photography

McKEAN, William Wister.  Letter signed ("Wm. W. McKean"), as Flag Officer Commanding the Gulf Blockading Squadron, to Brig. Gen. J.[ohn] W.[olcott] PHELPS, Commanding Military Post, Ship Island. Aboard the U. S. Flagship Niagara at Ship Island, 1 January 1861 [1862].  1 ½ pp., 4to. McKean expresses surprise that Captain Clouié[?], “Commander of the French Steamer of War," should have applied to Phelps for safe passage to New Orleans, since McKean arranged safe passage based on a document the Captain showed him from the Secretary of War, addressed to the French Charge de Affairs, “in which it is stated that instructions will be sent to the "Blockading Squadron." McKean has therefore arranged for the Captain to be taken to Fort Pike in the steamer Water Witch.  He has instructed the commander of the Pampero to supply the tug with thirty tons of coal. -- Letter signed ("Wm. W. McKean"), as Flag Officer commanding the Gulf Blockading Squadron, from U. S. Flag Ship Niagara, Ship Island. 27 January 1862. Addressed to Captain T. Bailey Commanding U.S. Frigate Colorado, “Off SW Pass—” 1 p., 4to. McKean is instructing Bailey to have each officer of the regular line on board complete the enclosed “certificates” [not present] and return them as quickly as possible. Docketed on verso: “Certificates of age to be filled up Jany 27/62.”

[With:] HALL, Alfred G., Aid-de-Camp to Act. Asst. Adjutant General John Wolcott Phelps, to Captain BAILEY, commanding Naval Forces off Ship Island. Ship Island, Mississippi. 15 March 1862. 1p, 7 1/2 x 9 3/4 in. Hall is requesting the use of 30 feet of belting: “It is of great importance to us to have the use of it in pumping the ship Idaho with our engines.” Endorsed: “Order the Master Mechanic to take the belting wished for.”