Description:

(UNION NAVY) WILLIAM W. MCKEAN
(1800-1865) Union admiral, grandson of Signer Thomas McKean. He rose to the rank of flag officer in command of the Gulf Blockading Squadron in early 1862 and later the East Gulf Blockading Squadron. Scarce manuscript L.S., 1p. legal folio., Key West, March 24. 1862, to U.S. Navy officer William E. Hopkins, them commanding the steamer USS SOUTH CAROLINA. McKean writes aboard his flagship, the steam frigate USS NIAGARA, In full: ‘You will receive on board the ‘South Carolina,' two sick men, named L. H. Shenck and Geo. S. Handy from the [barque USS] ‘King Fisher', and one man named W. A. DeHart, Landed from the [barque USS] ‘J. L. Davis', for a passage to Boston.' He signs ‘Wm. W. McKean' in black ink at the conclusion, with another hand adding his rank. The letter shows rodent damage to the top right corner and a small area just below the signature, with significant damp stains throughout, in just good condition overall.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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