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: 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 as commander of the sidewheel frigate USS MISSISSIPPI. 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 association partly-printed D.S., 1p. 4to., Washington, D.C., June 20, 1870, a notice to Commander John G. Walker of the USS SABINE that the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting has received documents related to the ship's crew roster. He signs ‘M. Smith' at the conclusion in violet ink, with fellow Rear Admiral CHARLES STEEDMAN (1811-1890) signing his stamped endorsement below. Shows expected folds, faintly toned, else very good. WITH: CHARLES E. CLARK (1843-1922) U.S. Navy rear Admiral, saw action at Mobile Bay and the bombardment of Fort Morgan, later commanded the USS OREGON at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War. A.L.S., 3pp. 12mo., Washington, D.C., March 23, 1905, to a Mr. Johnston. In small part: ‘...I would like to accommodate Mr Hallinger very much but as there are good pictures of me that can be had at the [U.S. Naval] Academy if wanted there and as I don't think the Emperor of Germany… could have expressed any wish for pictures of the Santiago captains except the supposition was made to him and he didn't think they could be well declined seeing the relations between the two countries were a little strained at the time. I don't think I can travel five hundred miles with a lot of uniform and gold lace to sit for another picture…' He signs ‘C. E. Clark' at the conclusion in black ink. His handwriting is difficult to read in places, shows mailing folds and a pencil identifying inscription, else very good. WITH: WILLIAM B. SHUBRICK (1790-1874) U.S. Navy Rear Admiral who served in the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Commended for his role in the capture of the British frigates HMS CYANE and HMS LEVANT by the USS CONSTITUTION. A.L.S., 1p. 4to., Norfolk, Dec. 8, 1840, to a Dr. Macaulay, congratulating his correspondent on his safe return to Baltimore and asking after his business. He signs ‘W Branford Shubrick' in black ink at the conclusion. Mildly toned at the edges, shows original mailing folds, with paper loss to the integral cover where opened, else very good. WITH: JOSEPH SMITH (1790-1877), Chief of the Bureau of Docks and Yards and one of the first U.S. Navy rear admirals, also a member of the Ironclad Board, which oversaw the design and construction of the USS MONITOR. A.L.S., 1p. 8vo., Washington, D.C., April 16, 1860, to an unnamed correspondent, transmitting a book on dry docks (not present). He signs ‘Jos. Smith' in black ink at the conclusion. Shows mailing folds, faintly toned at the edges, with a pencil identifying inscription at top, else fine. WITH: JOHN H. UPSHUR (1823-1917) U.S. Navy rear admiral, served as commander of USS MINNESOTA as flagship of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and participated in the capture of Fort Fisher. A.N.S., 1p. 12mo., [Hamilton, Bermuda], March 10, 1902, transmitting his autograph to a correspondent. He signs ‘Jno. H. Upshur' at the conclusion in black ink, adding his rank. Mildly toned, else fine. WITH: WILLIAM D. WHITING (1823-1894) U.S. Navy commodore, commanded the steamer USS WYANDOTTE and the frigate USS SAVANNAH during the Civil War. Manuscript L.S., 1p. 4to., Washington, D.C., May 24, 1879, to the aforementioned John G. Walker, revoking earlier orders to report to Newport for torpedo instruction. He signs ‘Wm D Whiting' in black ink at the conclusion. Shows expected folds and slight soiling, else very good to fine. Six pieces.

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

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