Description:

(UNION NAVY) USS KEARSARGE ENGINEER LETTER GROUP
Fine content war-date letter, 2pp. 4to., Philadelphia, Jan. 23, 1865, from Henry McConnell to 3rd Assistant Engineer Fred L. Miller. McConnell and Miller both served as assistant engineers aboard the U. S. Navy steam sloop USS KEARSARGE during her defeat of the Confederate commerce raider CSS ALABAMA of Cherbourg on June 19, 1864, and makes several references to the ship and several members of her crew. McConnell asks his correspondent to forward a letter to a Navy paymaster asking after his wages, and continues, in part: ‘… You owe me a letter; write it soon; and tell me if you have heard anything further from the New York ‘Kearsarge' [charitable] fund; I wish they would make haste to send me my share, as I could do a good thing in Oil, if I had $1000… I have just returned from the [Philadelphia] Navy Yard; where I saw [Kearsarge boatswain James C.] Walton, and Arrance; (if thats the way he spells his name,) You remember Arrance of the ‘Tuscarora'. He is going to the Pacific, in the ‘Suwanee': she goes into commission today or tomorrow; a ‘double ender' [gunboat]. [Kearsarge gunner Franklin A.] Graham has got the New York yard, and Walton told me, Stoddart has been ordered, as well as [Kearsarge Acting Master's Mate Ezra] Bartlett, and [Acting Master's Mate Charles H.] Danforth; the first to a receiving station, and the two Actg ensigns to ships. I am tolerably well, how are you? W[illiam] H. Cushman Chief Engineer USN [of the Kearsarge], still lives I believe; as I have not heard of his death. Walton told me [Kearsarge 3rd Assistant Engineer] S[idney] L. Smith did not pass, and the President of the examining board, Cf Engr Newell, told him (Walton) that Smith ought not to have come up for examination, as his ill health, was the cause of his bilging; this looks to me, as though Smith had a better recommendation from Cush!, than the rest of us…' The letter shows folds with minor interior splits thereto, with small chips to the edges and file holes to the left margin, still in very good overall condition. The original transmittal envelope, addressed to Miller at Salem, is also present. McConnell, Miller, Walton, Cushman, Graham, Danforth and Smith would all be mentioned by name and praised for their actions in Captain Jonathan A. Winslow's official report of the Kearsarge's engagement with the Alabama, and Walton, Cushman and Graham's own reports on the damage received at their stations would also be included.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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