American Historical Ephemera & Photography

HARWOOD, Andrew A. Text of a telegraph signed ("Andw. A. Harwood"), to Chief of Bureau of Ordnance Captain John A. DAHLGREN (1809-1870), n.p., 7 November 1862. 1p, 7 1/2 x 6 1/4 in., light soil, toning. “I will detain the Teazer [sic] which came up this morning with prizes to convoy the Bayles but it is a serious inconvenience as the parties are very active on the River in breaking the blockade.  I hope you will ask the Department for at least one ordnance tug as I am sure she will be wanted.”  The Teaser was a Confederate tug captured by the Union on 4 July 1862, repaired, and put into service. -- Text of a telegraph signed ("Andw. A. Harwood / Commodore"), to Commodore Cornelius K. STRIBLING (1796-1880), Commander of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 29 November 1862. 1 p. 7 3/4 x 3 3/8 in., light soil, creasing at fold. “Please send word to Capt. H. A. Adams to telegraph me when the coal was, or is to be shipped for the Potomac Flotilla. It is very much wanted.” -- Text of a telegraph signed ("Andw. A. Harwood / Commodore"), to Gideon WELLES (1802-1878), Secretary of the Navy, Washington Navy Yard, 17 April 1863. 1p, 8 x 12 1/2 in., light soil, scattered ink marks. Telegraph relays intelligence report and news of a rumored evacuation of Richmond, reading in part: “There is a company of about 100 cavalry at Heathsville, head of Cone River for the purpose of preventing communication between the Northern Neck and the West side of the Rappahannock as the Rebels are evacuating Richmond...No confidence is of course placed in the report as far as the evacuation of Richmond is concerned..."   

Harwood, a great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, was appointed midshipman in 1818 and thereafter embarked on a lifelong career in the US Navy. After 1855 Captain Harwood served in shore posts, including Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography 1858–1862. In mid-1862, he was promoted to Commodore and put in charge of the Washington Navy Yard and the Potomac Flotilla until December 1863.