Description:

CIVIL WAR SAILOR'S LETTERS
Civil War surgeon Allen S. Heath (b. 1821) surgeon on the staffs of Gen. King in West Virginia and of Gen. Michael Corcoran's Irish Brigade in Georgia. Two war-date A.L.S.'s as surgeon, 4pp. pages each, 8vo., "US Steamer Daylight off Fortress Monroe" in Hampton Roads, July 8, 1861. Heath writes separate letters to his brother, and to his wife and children before the U.S.S. Daylight undertakes a foray down the coast to North Carolina in search of enemy shipping. To his brother, Heath writes: "We have got every nook and corner filled with coal & water, have taken on an extra sailing master, a rifled gun & numerous other things, and am off for Wilmington North Carolina after prizes and privateers. I do not think we will be gone more than 3 or 4 weeks...I regret not having an opportunity to see and participate in the big fight, but our present enterprize will be much more remunerative...We are getting a large Whaleboat for boarding in rough weather or to take our rifled gun in for various shoal water expeditions. Yesterday we towed up to her anchoring ground the steam Frigate - she having broken her shaft...We are trying to get a lot of extra men, as we have no more than enough to work our ship and guns, without respect to prize crews...send me the Weekly Herald so that I can keep within gunshot of the events of the day; for these days of 1861 are big with events...". In the second letter to his family, he pens "...My last moments before starting for Wilmington and that portion of North Carolina coast...We have filled up with coal, water, men, guns and ammunition for a 3 or 4 weeks constant run up and down the coast in the vicinity of Wilmington...If you can spare money enough to get a barrel of flour you had better...", with more social content. USS Daylight, a 682-ton screw steam gunboat, was originally in commercial use, but chartered by the Navy in May 1861 and placed in commission in June. During next three and a half years, she operated along the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina, enforcing the Federal blockade. She captured or helped capture four would-be blockade runners in 1861 and five in 1862, as well as taking part in the destruction of three more in 1862-63. Very good condition.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

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