Description:

A BRITISH BLOCKADE RUNNER IS CAPTURED
MELANCTON SMITH (1810-1893) Union rear admiral, commanded the Massachusetts and on June 9, 1861, he captured the British blockade runner Perthshire. He also took part in the battles for Forts Jackson and St. Philip in April 1862. He also took part in the Siege of Port Hudson and was senior naval officer of a small fleet in Albemarle Sound where he attacked the Confederate ram CSS Albemarle at the Battle of Albemarle Sound in May 1864. Fine content war-date L.S., 2pp. 4to., 'Off Pensacola', [n.d., but June 10, 1861]. Smith reports on one of his most famous undertakings, the capture of the 'Perthshire'. In part: '...I boarded and seized as a prize the English Ship Perthshire from Mobile, bound to Liverpool with a cargo of 2240 Bales of Cotton, said ship having been boarded by one of the blockading fleet off Pensacola May 13th and warned not to enter the harbor. Two officers and 29 men were placed on board...directed to proceed with all possible dispatch to Pensacola...In addition to the above I boarded Ship Saruco from Mobile, Ship Carl, & Barque Mary S. from New Orleans all loaded with cotton...Also Ship Bramley Moore from N.O...' Also bears a signed note from a cadet aboard the Frigate Sabine stating that at the time of the capture 'there was no blockade of Mobile, or the Mississippi river...'. Folds, else near fine.

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August 15, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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