Description:

U.S. NAVY FLAG OFFICERS (6)
A fine lot of six items signed by U.S. Navy Rear Admirals and Commodores who gave notable service during the Civil War and other nineteenth-century conflicts. Includes: CORNELIUS K. STRIBLING (1796-1880) U.S. Navy rear admiral, commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the East Gulf Blockading Squadron. A.E.S. ‘C K Stribling' on a partly-printed document, 1p. 4to., Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 1864, requesting log books for the year of 1863 for the steam frigate USS SAN JACINTO from her commander, Richard Meade. Stribling executes his endorsement and signs in black ink at top, adding his rank. Shows expected folds, else very good to fine. WITH: ALEXANDER M. PENNOCK (1813-1876) U.S. Navy rear admiral who served as fleet captain of the Mississippi River Squadron. Scarce, war-date A.E.S. on the verso of a manuscript letter, 1p. 4to., Philadelphia, May 18, 1863, a retained copy of a set of orders from Rear Admiral Cornelius K. Stribling to surgeon's steward David T. Davis, sending him to Cairo, Illinois for duty in Pennock's squadron. Pennock executes his endorsement at Cairo on May 26, 1863, affirming that Davis reported as ordered, and signs ‘A. M. Pennock' in black ink. Shows mounting strip remnants, resultant staining and a small hole on the verso at the right edge, slightly affecting Pennock's endorsement, with expected folds, else very good. WITH: RALPH CHANDLER (1829-1889) U.S. Navy rear admiral, commander of USS MAUMEE during the capture of Fort Fisher and Wilmington. A.L.S., 2pp. 8vo., Boston, July 15, 1882, accepting an invitation to a reunion of Mexican-American War veterans, in part: ‘...I am a Mexican War man having served through the war on the Pacific Coast, and for nine months as 1st Lieut of a Company of sailors that occupied Mazatlan…' He signs boldly ‘R. Chandler' at the conclusion in black ink. Shows original mailing folds, else very good. WITH: GEORGE S. BLAKE (1802-1871) U.S. Navy commodore, superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy from 1857 to 1865. Good content and association, war-date A.L.S., 1pp. 8vo., Newport, Feb. 6, 1863, to New York senator Ira Harris. In part: ‘...I know that Mr. [Gideon] Welles is kindly disposed towards me, & have such entire faith in his sense of justice, & feel moreover that so many officers more meritorious than I, are in the same category, that I accept my fate. I only hope that the Secretary will keep me where I am until the Acad'y, which is a noble institution, is reestablished [at Annapolis]. I should like to turn it over to my successor in good condition in every respect.' He signs ‘G. S. Blake' in black ink at the conclusion. Shows original mailing folds, otherwise in fine condition. WITH: ALEXANDER A. SEMMES (1825-1885) U.S. Navy commodore, a cousin of Confederate admiral Raphael Semmes and general Paul Jones Semmes. Commanded the gunboat USS TAHOMA and the monitor USS LEHIGH. Manuscript L.S., 1p. legal folio, Rio de Janeiro, May 11, 1870, to commander John G. Walker of the USS SABINE. Writing aboard his own command, the sloop USS PORTSMOUTH, Semmes transfers a sick seaman to Walker's ship. He signs ‘A. A. Semmes' at the conclusion in black ink. Shows expected folds, mildly toned, else very good. WITH: RUSH R. WALLACE (1835-1914) U.S. Navy commodore, lieutenant commander of the USS SHENANDOAH during the attacks on Forts Fisher and Jackson. A.L.S., 1p. 4to. Nov. 11, 1898, transmitting a blank application to the ‘Metropolitan Club'. He signs ‘R. R. Wallace' in black ink at the conclusion, adding his rank. Shows mailing folds, with tape marks to the first page, else very good. Six pieces.

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March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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