Description:

(UNION NAVY) USS LEHIGH SEARCHES FOR THE CSS VIRGINIA II
A very interesting Union Navy sailor's letter, 6pp. 8vo., Fortress Monroe, June 1, 1863, written by Acting Ensign Henry Towle aboard his ship, the monitor USS LEHIGH, to his sister. In part: ‘...yesterday Wm. G. P. Hunt our Chief Engineer left here for Boston to join the frigate Niagara… I would give something for Hunt's chance… I have concluded to wear away six months as easy as I can in this box, for I understand that the officers and men are all to be relieved at the end of that time, I hope so any how… It is said that the Merrimack No 2 [the Confederate ironclad CSS VIRGINIA II] is coming down sometime this month. I hope she may, but I don't think she will come down here as long as there are two ironclads here to receive her. I am glad to hear Sis that you and the ‘little Towle's' are getting on so well, if the children don't get colored to the proper standard just send them down here to me, and I will warrant them to pass for Contrabands in one week. We are making improvements in our way of living all the time we now have the hatches off - during the night – when we first came here they were all closed tight at 8 P. M. which made it very warm… I have just been relieved from duty. I wish you could see the ‘Lehigh' now – there is a fresh breeze blowing, and the water is coming over for & aft the decks are continuously submerged. I am afraid that we shall pass a warm night of it below… I have the deck from 12 midnight to 4 A. M. tomorrow… Mr. Hunt will tell… all about our Iron Clad…' Shows some stains and a cello tape repair to corner of the final page, else very good. A Passiac-class monitor, the USS Lehigh was commissioned into service on April 15, 1863, and joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron new Newport News. She remained active throughout the war along the Virginia Coast, in Charleston Harbor and on the James River. She was one of the most photographed Union monitors.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000