Description:

WARSHIP'S CAPTAIN DESCRIBES THE BATTLE OF PORT ROYAL (2)
Superb content Union seaman's letter, apparently written by the vessel's master, one 'J. Caroline' who ran out of space and placed his name at the head of the letter, 4pp. 4to., 'Port Royal on board U.S.S. Steamer Vixen', Nov. 8, 1861 to his wife. In small part: '...I [was] taking an active part in the dreadful carnage of yesterday by our glorious fleet & the rebel Batterys at the entrance of Port Royal Harborthe Battery of Hilton Head & Baypoint...[I was] slightly wounded with a piece of shell on my right calf...' He describes the fleet that sailed from Fortress Monroe, naming several of the vessels, and also a gale on the 29th which caused two steamers to founder and sink ('that are nothing but New York ferry boats'). He continues: '...Our steamer brought up the rear...to protect the transport troop ships in case of rebel privateer cutting them off...very bad weather especially [for] the new gunboats they rolled very heavily...your Husband being acting Master his experience was much needed...'. After deploying a sea anchor overnight, the crew awakens to find not a single other vessel of the fleet in sight. He continues: '...we anchored on the lee of the Frigate Susquehanna off Charleston Harbour Fort Sumter plainly in sight & the rebel Flag [?] floating in defiance...at 8 AM got underway and proceeded to Port Royal...steered for the Flag Ship Wabash Commodore Dupont for orders...the Vixen was [?] with the whole of the Commodore's staff...to mark out the channel...we had on board..Capt. John Rogers and Commodore Dupont...Genl. Sherman...Genl. Wright...by 2 pm we surveyed the channel and marked it out so that most of the light drafts and transports could proceed in to the inner harbor...at 4 pm 4 rebel steamers had the audacity to come out on the protection of their batterys commence firing in at long range, no harm done on either side...' However, he provides a recap at the top of the first page: '34 wounded sailors 13 killed 3 officers wounded none killed' SOLD WITH: a second A.L.S. from Caroline, 4pp. 4to., Fort Powell [aboard the USS Narcissus, Mobile Bay], May 24 [1864], again to his wife. He describes bringing dispatches and Confederate newspapers to Adm. Farragut, and describes seeing the CSA ram Tennessee. In part: '...she has appeared and a formidable looking craft she is...I was within 1 1/2 miles of her she is all white & carries Broadside guns of a side two Pivot forward & two aft. She is accompany'd with two other Rams not very formidable and 4 wooden Gun Boats...the Selma and Huntsville...to make a raid on the Blockading Fleet off Mobile...I have captured another prize...the sloop Young Miss loaded with corn & peas, a rebel Mail & $300 in Confederate notes...I sent her out of Bayou Battry[?] in face of 20 Cavalry (Rebel). I supposed I killed several as one of my shells exploded over them...'. He gives a fine detailed account of the Narcissus and its construction, and closes with family content. About 25 lines of text have been crossed out in a different ink, probably by the recipient and due to personal content, else very good. Two pieces. In 1866 the Narcissus ran aground during a gale northwest of Egmont Key, Florida. When attempting to get off the bar the boiler exploded, destroying the ship with loss of all on board.

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.

September 10, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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