Description:

MELANCTON SMITH
(1810-1893) Union rear admiral, commanded the USS MASSACHUSETTS and on June 9, 1861, he captured the British blockade runner PERTHSHIRE. He 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 at the Battle of Albemarle Sound in May 1864, where he attacked the Confederate ram CSS ALBEMARLE. Fine, military content war-date A.L.S., 1p. 4to., ‘Ship Island' [Mississippi], March 18th, 1862. Smith writes to Commander THEODORUS BAILEY (1805-1877) of the steam frigate USS COLORADO from aboard his own command, the sidewheel frigate USS MISSISSIPPI, as both ships prepare to ascend the Mississippi River to capture New Orleans as part of the squadron commanded by Admiral James Farragut. In full: ‘As it has been decided that the ‘Colorado' under your command cannot be sufficiently lightened to cross any of the bars at the passes of the Mississippi and must in consequence of this contingency be debarred from participating in the hostilities to be commenced up the river; I respectfully request that you will turn over to me temporarily, the quarter deck battery of your vessel consisting of 12 – 8 inch guns, as in my judgment the present armament of the Mississippi is not calculated to stand the test that will be required of it, owning to the enlarged vents and other defects in the guns.' Smith signs at the conclusion in black ink. Shows original mailing folds and slight toning to the edges, otherwise in fine condition. The upcoming campaign against New Orleans would see Smith and the Mississippi see stiff action; along with the screw steamer USS PENSACOLA, she became the largest ship to ascend the Mississippi River to that point, and played a pivotal role in the battles of Forts Jackson and St. Philip on April 24, 1862, by driving ashore the early Confederate ironclad ram CSS MANASSAS and wrecking her with her broadsides. After the capture of New Orleans, the Mississippi would again be ordered upriver to assault Port Hudson, Louisiana, but would run aground while under fire from the forts defending the city and be scuttled by Smith and his executive officer, future Spanish-American war hero George Dewey, on March 14, 1863.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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