Description:

MONITOR VS. MERRIMAC
Union soldier's letter by Silas Swift[?], 4pp. 4to., "Camp near Fortress Monroe", Apr. 8, 1862 to his brother, in pencil. In small part: "...we are camped about 6 miles from Fort Monroe in a corn field...the first night...we slept on board the steamer Louisiana...I had the misfortune to have my watch stolen...after a good deal of swearing by the captain and crew we weighed anchor and started down the [Potomac] river...she was taken by the Federals and is now used by our people...the second night we anchored in the river opposite a rebel battery but now deserted...harbor was full of vessels. The most worthy of observation was the...Monitor...she was under water mostly, she is made so they can sink her under water...you would call her some old coal boat...manned by 230 men and has on board guns that will shoot 300 times in ten minutes. The day we anchored she drove the rebel steamer Merrimac into Norfolk...you have doubtless heard of Hampton...the Rebels burned it before they left...300,000 fighting at Yorktown...". In just good condition with folds, damp stains, and some lightening of text which still remains almost entirely legible.

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December 9, 2015 10:30 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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