Description:

CHARLESTON NAVAL ACTION & BATTLE OF SECESSIONVILLE
Good content letter with patriotic cover from Union naval surgeon Dr. Joseph R. Layton (b. 1820), 2pp. 4to., 'U.S. Steamer Flambeau Off Charleston', June 24, 1862. Layton, who served nearly the entire war as a naval surgeon, writes his father from Stono Inlet which his ship had been ordered to guard. He opens his letter speaking of his newborn child whom he hopes will survive, as other children it seems had died in infancy. He continues, in part: '...our ship cannot be spared from here now, though we are nearly helpless our machinery is so much out of order. We have received news there are 12 more steamers at [?] ready to remain here at the present dark of the moon...one [blockade runner] got by the Gunboat Seneca...the other was chased off by the Keystone....she is still in pursuit of her she will catch her if possible when last heard she was to the eastward of the gulph stream and gaining on her...we have hard some pretty hard fighting up Stono River we lost in killed wounded and missing over five hundred soldiers...a battery our troops took it but could not hold it and had to fall back their loss was much greater than ours near a thousand...the Gun Boats could give no assistance...we have about 12000 men they about 30000 troops...they are within three miles of the city but with heavy batterys and obstructions in the river when they are passed the city will be at our mercy...' Very good. Of course, the battle was a Union disaster and Charleston would not be taken as a result. Union Gen. Henry W. Benham decided to withdraw from the field and retreat to James Island. Once there, he was relieved of command.

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April 1, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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