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: HENRY K. THATCHER (1806-1880) U.S. Navy rear admiral, commanded a squadron during the capture of Fort Fisher, and later commander of the Western Gulf Squadron, where he forced the final surrender of Mobile. Manuscript L.S., 1p. 4to., Mobile, May 26, 1865, to Comdr. Charles H. B. Caldwell of the USS R. R. CUYLER, ordering him to report to New Orleans. Thatcher signs at the conclusion in black ink, the signature somewhat brushed. Shows expected folds, slightly toned at the edges, else very good. WITH: LOUIS M. GOLDSBOROUGH (1805-1877) U.S. Navy rear admiral and commander of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron, whose tepid cooperation with McClellan helped doom his Peninsula Campaign and Goldsborough's own career. Good association partly printed D.S., 1p. 4to. Baltimore, Jan. 3, 1873, an appropriation for iron from a Baltimore supplier. The requisition is signed twice at the conclusion in black ink by Rear Admiral LESTER A. BEARDSLEE (1836-1903) as Commander and Inspector of the Washington Navy Yard, with Goldsborough countersigning below. Shows expected folds, faintly toned at the edges, else very good. WITH: ALEXANDER C. RHIND (1821-1897) U.S. Navy rear admiral, commander of the experimental monitor USS KEOKUK at the time of her loss after an abortive attack on Charleston, later commanded the steamer LOUISIANA, loaded with tons of gunpowder and blown up at the base of Fort Fisher in a failed attempt to breach its walls. Good association partly-printed D.S. as commander of the receiving ship USS VERMONT, 1p. 11.25 x 6 in., New York, Feb. 5, 1867, a discharge certificate for a Thomas White. He signs ‘A C Rhind' at the conclusion in black ink, with a paymaster countersigning. The verso of the certificate is signed in black ink by executive officer ANDREW E. BENHAM (1832-1905) later a U.S. Navy rear admiral, who participated in the Battle of Port Royal and commanded the gunboat USS PENOBSCOT off Texas. Shows notable folds with heavy splits thereto repaired with cello tape on the verso, with additional small tears to the edges and tape marks overall, just good to very good. WITH: LOUIS C. SARTORI (1812-1899) U.S. Navy rear admiral, commanded the USS PORTSMOUTH, USS FLAG and USS AGAWAM in blockading the Confederate coast. Good association, war-date A.L.S., 1p. legal folio, ‘Off Camp Parapet [Louisiana]', July 14, 1863, to Rear Admiral David G. Farragut, a letter of recommendation for a Thomas H. Jenks as acting master of Sartori's ship, the Portsmouth. He signs ‘L C Sartori' in black ink at the conclusion. Shows expected folds with slight splits thereto at the edges, with two small internal holes and faint toning to the edges, else very good. WITH: HORATIO BRIDGE (1806-1893) U.S. Navy commodore, chief of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing throughout the Civil War. Manuscript L.S., 1p. 4to., [Washington, D.C.], Oct. 20, 1860 to a paymaster at Pensacola, requesting documents related to provisions supplied to the screw steamer USS SOUTHERN STAR and the sloop USS PREBLE. He signs ‘H. Bridge' at the conclusion in black ink. Shows expected folds, very faintly toned at the edges, else fine. WITH: JOSEPH B. HULL (1803-1890) U.S. Navy commodore, commanded the frigate USS SAVANNAH of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron until 1862, thereafter supervised the construction of gunboats at St. Louis. A.L.S., 1p. 8vo., Portland, ME, March 30, 1870, to an unnamed correspondent, stating that he will consider an offer to join the ‘Union Club'. He signs ‘J B Hull' in black ink at the conclusion. Shows expected folds, 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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