Description:

(UNION NAVY) THE POTOMAC RIVER FLOTILLA ON PATROL ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK
Fine military content war-date letter, 3pp. 8vo., Oaken Brow Plantation, VA, Dec. 10, 1862, from U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Samuel Magaw to Commodore Andrew A. Harwood, commander of the Potomac Flotilla. Magaw, writing aboard the armed steam tug USS YANKEE, relates his plans to patrol the Rappahannock River the day before the Battle of Fredericksburg, in full: ‘The ‘Wyandank' will leave for the Potomac to-morrow morning – we will have at least one months provision. The coal you sent from the Yard is here, but we had coaled from a private coal vessel, and I was obliged to use her, when discharged, to lighten the ‘Wyandank' when askew below in an exposed position – Act'g Master Shankland sent the telegram to you before I arrived. I write you daily & if anything important occurs I will send a telegram to the first station by courier. The [ships] Yankee, Anacostia, Satellite, Jacob Bell, C[ouer] de Leon & Teazer, are here in line. I am expecting the Currituck and Fairborn in the morning. I shall keep one or two vessels moving down as far as Lowry Point every day. I have three Signal Officers whom I requested Genl [Ambrose] Burnside to detail, and to-morrow I will see if we cannot have a station for one on a church at Port Conway if so we can open communications by that means through Genl [William B.] Franklin's Division to Head-Quarters, thence by telegraph with you. The Enemy on the hills opposite appear to pass their time in making signals. I think we have their signal code – but I will tell you of this… in my next letter. I think their signaling is a ruse and that the force of the Enemy here and below, has been withdrawn and gone above opposite Genl Franklin, this however is conjecture. My great source of uneasiness is Ice, I dream of it, but you may rest assured that we will do our best. I enclose you a note from the General, it is characteristic, and I hope you will keep it for me. The vessels not protected by boiler iron on their bows show even what thin flow ice will do. Their is a rumor that you will give up the Command of the [Potomac] Flotilla – if this is true, and it is again given to a Lieut. Comdr I hope your favorable recommendation. There will be no waste of ammunition. The Cavalry are doing a large foraging business on the neck and supply us as we have plenty of marketing.' Shows original mailing folds with minor splits thereto, and a small tear to the interior of the third page, otherwise in very good condition.

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

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