Description:

(UNION NAVY) USS KEARSARGE ENGINEER MEETS LINCOLN AND HOPES FOR CSS ALABAMA PRIZE MONEY
Fine content war-date letter, 3pp. 4to., Philadelphia, Jan. 14, 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 off Cherbourg on June 19, 1864, and this letter makes several references to the ship, the aftermath of the famous fight, and several members of her crew. In small part: ‘...I saw [Kearsarge 3rd Assistant Engineer] S[idney] L. Smith, when he was on here for his examination; they gave him two days, and from what he said, I think as stiff an examination, as they gave us… I bilged fearfully! and am not going up again… I have been to Washington twice; once before, and once after, the holydays; and think I have got matters in pretty fair course, for an exchange of billets; or rather, for resigning from my present position, and securing another appointment…' McConnell goes on to describe meeting President Abraham Lincoln to solicit his assistance in securing a share of the prize money from the sinking of the Alabama for the crew of the Kearsarge: ‘...I have had an interview with our good President, and with [Secretary of the Navy] ‘Gideon [Welles] King of men'. I did receive my $100 from the Boston Board of Trade, and am expecting every day, to hear from the Kearsarge [charitable] fund, in New York. As to [Kearsarge Captain Jonathan A.] Winslow's card, on the subject of prize money, I think he is right: and that our only hope, as to getting the full value of the ‘Alabama', rests upon the President. There is no doubt of this in my mind, and I think, we shall get it. $300,000 at least. Damn! that thieving watchman say I. John Barrows ought to have had those mess stores, he certainly deserved some acknowledgment from the mess, for the excellent service he did it, during the whole cruise. Fred, cant you find out his address, and cant we put that proposition of yours into execution, while we are still on shore? The buying him a watch, I mean. I will contribute $10.00 Ten dollars for that purpose, I have no doubt Smith will do that same, and [Kearsarge 2nd Assistant Engineer William H.] Badlam? maybe, try them by letter if you think well of it, and let me know what success…' McConnell closes by discussing his health, prospects for marriage, and his wishes to return to New England for the winter, and invites Miller to visit him in Philadelphia. The letter shows folds with minor interior splits thereto repaired on the first sheet with cello tape, with small chips to the edges and file holes to the left margin, still in very good overall condition. McConnell, Miller, Badlam 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.

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

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