Description:

(UNION NAVY) USS RELEASE DESERTER WRITES TO A COMRADE
A fine content, war-date A.L.S., 1p. 4to., Port Royal, Jan. 15, 1862, from acting volunteer lieutenant Daniel P. Upton of the supply ship USS RELEASE to a former crewmate, W. H. Lunt, now captain of the merchant vessel ATMOSPHERE. Upton shares his rather sarcastic and self-serving reasons for joining the service, in full: ‘Here I am all right-side up with care and no bones broken as yet in defence of a country and constitutional liberty. ‘Long may it wave' star spangled banner and all that sort of thing you know. I concluded that all I could do for my Country was offer my services, have them accepted serve faithfully, and just before resign honorably to keep from being turned out of the Service. How have you been since I saw you in Calcutta hope you are well as ever. I called to see Graves at the Hotel but missed him saw Capt. Gail the other day he is well. I at fact I believe every body is well who serves his Government faithfully and gets their pay regularly. Just pen me a few lines when you receive this will you!' Shows original mailing folds, faintly toned at the top edge, otherwise in fine condition overall. Upton's plans for his service, as described above, clearly did not pan out; he is listed in the Naval Register as having deserted on Aug. 15, 1863.

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March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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