American Historical Ephemera & Photography

WELLES, Gideon (1802-1878). Autograph letter signed ("Gideon Welles"), as Secretary of the Navy, to Second Assisstant Engineer George B. Hunt. Washington, D.C., Navy Department, 20 May 1863. 1p, 8 x 10 in. (some light feathering to ink, toning). Welles directs Hunt to report to the US Steam Frigate Niagara from the Lehigh. Also signed by three future admirals, Peirce Crosby, John C. Howell, and John C. Montgomery. -- Partly printed orders dated 5 September 1863 for Second Assisstant Engineer George B. Hunt to report to Admiral Francis GREGORY. Signed by Gregory and John C. MONTGOMERY.

[With:] PORTER, David Dixon (1813-1891). Clipped signature ("David D. Porter"). -- WATSON, John C. (1842-1923). Clipped signature ("J.C. Watson / Rear Admiral U.S. Navy"). Watson served as flag lieutenant to to rear Admiral David Farragut, and in July 1862 lashed Farragut to the mast and rigging at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

[With:] BUTLER, Benjamin F. (1818-1893). Autograph letter signed ("Benj. F. Butler"), to Admiral David Farragut (1801-1870). Washington, D.C., 21 March 1869. 2pp, 5 x 8 in. (creasing, toning, dampstaining). Butler writes to Farragut about an enclosed note [not present] referring to "the son of Lieutenant Commander Abner Read who was with us so long in the Gulf in command of the New London and died in the service." 

[Also with:] Post-war documents signed and clipped signatures from USN officers, including: Commodore John RODGERS, Captain Percival DRAYTON,  Admiral Daniel AMMEN, Admiral Charles STEEDMAN, Commander H.D. WHITING, Admiral R.W. MEADE, Admiral Henry K. THATCHER, Rear Admiral Charles H. BELL, Captain Thornton A. JENKINS, Admiral Richmond P. HOBSON, Commodore Thomas T. CRAVEN, Commandant Melancton SMITH, and Commodore James PALMER, (Ranks not necessarily reflective of rank at time of signature).