83. BUILDING THE C.S.S. CHATTAHOOCHEE - DAVID S. JOHNSON Planter and lawyer who accepted the contract to build the gunboat Chattahoochee in October, 1861. Fine content A.L.S. on "Southern Confederate States Navy Yard Letterhead", 2pp. 4to., Saffold, Ga., Feb. 7, 1862 to the Governor of Georgia requesting that he grant "...an exemption form Military duties the Hands in my employ who are engaged in building Gun Boats for the Confederate States...I think the Governor will be more benefited by having the labor of these men in my employ on gun Boats than by compelling them to lose a day and their Service for an hour drill...The gun boats are being constructed on the Chattahoochee River, at Saffold Early Co. Ga. When at great labor & expense I have prepared for this considerable and as every day is important I hope you will grant to all men in D. S. Johnston employ at the Confederate States Navy Yard at work on Gun boats, an exemption from Military duties, except in case of an invasion or insurrection..." Johnson however was really only building one gun boat, the 130 foot Chattahoochee. A year after he took the contract, it was still not complete and he forfeited his contract. The boat was then hauled to Columbus, Ga. for completion. When it finally took its maiden voyage in January, 1863, it promptly ran aground, smashing the rudder, springing a leak, and suffering engine failure. After extensive repairs the ship again set out only for the boiler to explode in May, 1863, killing 12 men and sinking the ship. Undaunted, the Confederates raised the ship in December, 1863 and repaired the ship. With the appearance of Union troops in 1865, the ship was burned. Toned, partial fold separations, otherwise good to very good condition. A fascinating letter worthy of further research. $400-600