Description:

(UNION NAVY) BUREAU OF EQUIPMENT AND RECRUITING REQUESTS MORE MEN
Good content, war-date A.L.S. on U.S. Navy Department Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting letterhead, 1p. 4to., Washington, D.C., March 29, 1864, from bureau chief Rear Admiral ALBERT N. SMITH to Orison Blunt, then a candidate for Mayor of New York City. In full: ‘Lieut Murphy of the Navy has requested me to write to you, and ask your aid in sending the Navy some recruits. We are sadly in want of men, and although the prospects of glory are equal, the land service evidently has the advantage of us in bounties.' Smith signs at the conclusion in black ink. A 3 x 1.75 in. card has been tabbed to to the letter, bearing the signature of Lieutenant JOHN MCCLEOD MURPHY (1827-1871), who commanded the ironclad river gunboat USS CARONDELET during the Siege of Vicksburg and the Red River Campaign, and to whom Smith refers in his letter. A period advertisement for Army and Navy recruits has also been tabbed to the letter at top left. Shows original mailing folds, else very good.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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