American Historical Ephemera and Photography

14 telegrams sent between 8 May - 22 May 1865, all signed ("G. Welles") except one signed with full name ("Gideon Welles"). Five telegrams on "Navy Department / Washington" letterhead. All telegrams with period notations indicating the time message was received and time of transmission. Recipients of the communications include Commodore Charles H. Bell, Commandant of the New York Navy Yard; Commodore J.B Montgomery, Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard; Commodore T.A. Dornin, Commandant Baltimore Navy Yard; Acting Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee, Commanding Mississippi Squadron; and other U.S. Navy personnel including surgeons. Provenance: The Forest Sweet collection.


Varied content includes in part orders issued or remanded to report to specific locations, an inquiry into whether ships have departed, a request for crew complaints from the "Malvern" be remedied, a claim for lost clothes, and matters related to the post-war reorganization of the Navy. The telegram of 15 May issued to the Commandant of the DC Navy Yard reads, in full: "Land stores from such vessels as arrive at the Yard to be sold and notify the officers of them that resignations will be received and accepted from any that desire to leave the service."

[With:] 6 letters and 1 receipt spanning 1861-1969 (all but one item dating to 1861-1869), primarily constituting discussion of appointments, favors, or other requests of Welles, and the receipt being for Welles's purchase of bread at the Washington, D.C. Marine Barracks Post Bakery. -- An incomplete letter from Welles to the Hon. Francis Granger, Postmaster General, and an incomplete "copy of minutes Secy State / 14 Dec 1865" related to the importance of securing naval stations in different parts of the world. -- Engraving of Gideon Welles.

[Also with:] A small batch of documents acquired with the Welles grouping, but of uncertain connection to Welles. Additional research required.