American Historical Ephemera & Photography

1 page, 8 x 12 3/4 in., docketing on reverse from multiple officers, old folds and edges reinforced with tape, light staining, some chipping to edges.

Obverse, autograph letter signed by H. Laurens Ingraham, Captain & Assistant Chief of Ordnance, to Lt. Colonel J.R. Waddy, Chief of Ordnance. Office Central Depot Ordnance, Charleston, [SC], 6 November 1863. Captain Ingraham states, in part, "In obedience to orders recd. from your office, I yesterday experimented with the Georges Revolving cannon...I believe that the gun can be fired with great rapidity & accuracy, but the range is not very great...At short range the gun would be extremely effective, but I believe at 600 or 700 yards, the gun could be soon silenced by eight or ten good riflemen, armed with Enfield Rifles, or some other long ranged rifle. Another objection to the gun is its very small calibre. It would be well, however, to have the gun more thoroughly tested, before making a final report upon it..."

Reverse, with note signed by J.R. Waddy, Lt. Colonel, Chief Ordnance Officer. Head Quarters, Ordnance Department, Charleston, [SC], 9 November 1863. He writes, "Respectfully forwarded, for short ranges & in a fixed position this gun could be used to advantage - for other purposes I do not think much of the gun, I would therefore recommend that the gun be sent to Ft. Sumter, it would also facilitate matters very much if the state authorities would send all the ammunition that have on hand with the guns, as it would necessarily take some little time to prepare it here, besides retard other important work..."

Additional note signed by P.G.T. Beauregard, General Commanding. Head Quarters Dept. SC, Ga. & Fa. Charleston, SC, 9 November 1863. Beauregard comments, "...I believe several (6) of these guns could be advantageously used in the defence of the beaches of Sumter if the guns & ammunition could be furnished at once."