Description:

U.S. NAVY REAR ADMIRALS (6)
A fine lot of six items signed by U.S. Navy Rear Admirals who gave notable service during the Civil War. Includes: SILAS H. STRINGHAM (1798-1876) Union rear admiral who commanded the North Atlantic Blockading Fleet and led the assault on Hatteras Inlet. Partly-printed D.S., 1p. 4to., Boston, Nov. 13, 1855, affirming the election of a Lt. Johnston B. Creighton as a member of the Naval Library and Institute. Signed ‘S. H. Stringham' at the conclusion in black ink as president of the body. Shows old folds, two small interior tears and chips to the right edge, else very good WITH: JOHN C. HOWELL (1819-1892) U.S. Navy rear admiral, commanded the gunboat USS TAHOMA during the war and saw much success in capturing blockade runners. Manuscript L.S. ‘J. C. Howell' as Acting Secretary of the Navy, 1p. 4to., Washington, D.C., Sep. 1, 1875, to Comdr. J. G. Walker, regarding a credit owed his correspondent. He signs at the conclusion in black ink. Shows old folds, with very small pinholes to the top left, else very good. WITH: GEORGE W. MELVILLE (1841-1912) U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering and Arctic explorer. Manuscript L.S., 1p. legal folio, Portsmouth, Oct. 3, 1867, a retained copy of a letter to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, providing a recommendation for a fellow engineer aboard the gunboat USS TACONY. Melville signs in black ink at the conclusion. Shows expected folds and a few pinholes to the top edge, else very good. WITH: EDWARD Y. MCCAULEY (1827-1894) U.S. Navy rear admiral, commander of the gunboat USS BENTON, participated in the capture of the Confederate ironclad MISSOURI. A.N.S., 1p. 8vo., Jamestown, Oct. 6, 1891, to an unnamed correspondent, complying with an unstated request, probably for an autograph, which he executes boldly in black ink at the conclusion, adding his rank. Shows mailing folds, evenly toned, else very good. WITH: NICOLL LUDLOW (1842-1915) U.S. Navy rear admiral, fought in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. A.E.S. as commander of the corvette USS QUINNEBAUG on a letter from a Lt. G.A. Merriam, 1p. legal folio, Southampton, England, Aug. 21, 1883, requesting leave. Ludlow signs his endorsement granting the request at lower center in black in, adding his rank. Shows expected folds, mildly toned at the edges, else very good. WITH: ALBERT KAUTZ (1839-1907) U.S. Navy rear admiral, as a lieutenant during the Civil War was responsible for raising the Stars and Stripes over New Orleans, finalizing the capture of that city. A.N.S., 1p. 8vo. Coronado Beach, CA, March 12, 1901, to an E. G. Reid, complying with his correspondent's request for an autograph. He signs in black ink at the conclusion, adding his rank. Shows 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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