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to Ella Godley Renshaw [incomplete]

The letter is incomplete, beginning on the fifth page of Renshaw's original letter to his wife. He asks after his wife and "baby child" and hopes to return home in three months, for "there is not an hour through the days that I am not wondering what...

GLC02254.38

"To all whom it may concern"

Writes that although he had no order from R.T. Renshaw to burn a bridge at Little Washington, North Carolina, orders from Captain Graham led McKeever to "unhesitatingly say that I understood him to direct me to burn the Bridge." Signed by Mckeever...

GLC02254.36

Papers from Battle of Roanoke Island to end of war re: torpedoes
[decimalized .01-.39]

This collection is composed of 39 items, including correspondence, general orders, legal documents, and a handwritten manual of arms and drilling. These items are largely associated with R.T. Renshaw, a Union sailor from North Carolina, and document...

GLC02254

[Blank Oath of Office]

Printed document with unsigned Oath of Office.

GLC02254.04

to Henry K. Davenport

Reports "a most successful trial of one of the Machines for blowing up vessels constructed by Second Assistant Engineer John L. Lay." Describes the trial, during which a "Sch'r of sixty tons floated over catching the wires and blowing her to atoms."...

GLC02254.05

[General Order. No 16.]

Orders for the establishment of a set of signals "as the means of communication between the Army & the fleet." Signals are to be made with rockets, but "the color of the rocket make [sic] no difference."

GLC02254.35

to Henry K. Davenport

Titled "Extracts from a Letter of Instructions." The first extract gives information about the positioning of gunboats for "assisting in the defence of posts." The second extract is a reminder to "keep a bright look out for, and use every...

GLC02254.06

to Stephen C. Rowan

Congratulates Rowan on his victory at New Bern and confides, "I expected nothing less. I trust that Beaufort and Fort Macon will soon share a similar fate with Newberne [sic] -- that is be in your possession."

Rowan was a captain in the United...

GLC02254.02

[Blockading instructions for the senior naval officer in the Sounds of North Carolina]

Outlines plans for a blockade "to interdict all trade whatever with the country blockaded by the N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron." Details the boundaries of the blockade within North and South Carolina. Explains that vessels must have "clearances...

GLC02254.07

[General Order of commendation for efforts at Roanoke Island]

Congratulates his men for their work in the capture of Roanoke Island and urges them to continue to "crush the Hydra of rebellion."

Goldsborough was the commanding officer of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from 1861 to 1862. He participated...

GLC02254.01

to Louis M. Goldsborough

Mentions the receipt of dispatches from Goldsborough and Rowan, who had been involved in the capture of "rebel batteries upon the Neuse River." Writes about the "brilliant victory" at New Bern and requests that Goldsborough "convey to Commander...

GLC02254.03

to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes to say he is sending "to night three (3) Schooners, with ammunition for the Army and the Gunboats." Mentions that "Davenport thinks it is imprudent to send more boats past the batteries without silencing them." Assures Renshaw that "the...

GLC02254.10

to Douglass Ottinger

Sends Ottinger orders to "proceed to Beaufort, N.C. and take command of the Revenue Cutter 'Forward'." Encloses "copies of Regulations recently issued governing the trade between the loyal States and those States heretofore declared to be in...

GLC02254.15

to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes to Renshaw about the plan to "attack Hills Point Battery at 5 Oclock tomorrow morning, and cover the 'Escort' as she passes through the obstructions." Notes that the Escort will be carrying ammunition.

The attack McCann references is the...

GLC02254.11

to Richard T. Renshaw

Mentions a change of plans in the attack on Hill's Point Battery. Reports location, activities and condition of several Union ships, including the Collier, Phoenix, Hunchback, Southfield, Valley City, Whitehead and Granite. Complains that "there is...

GLC02254.12

to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes from aboard the U.S.S. Ceres, having just traveled from New Bern "last evening at 11 PM." Discusses his plans "of passing the batteries and proceeding to Washington," and sends ammunition "by the Boats of the Ceres, Lockwood, and Granite."...

GLC02254.09

[General Orders]

Announces that Commanding General Foster "is about to leave for a brief time the Gallant Soldiers and Sailors comprising this Garrison; Brigadier General Potter will remain in command." Mentions that Foster will be leaving "for the purpose of...

GLC02254.13

to Richard T. Renshaw

Reports that he has "started up Blounts Creek" in search of an enemy schooner sighted on 6 May. Does not find the enemy schooner, but instead "one belonging to this colored man named James Moore, and which I send to you. He says he has been in the...

GLC02254.14

to Richard T. Renshaw

Lee annotates a clerical transcription of various dispatches and newspaper clippings concerning activities of the United States Navy in Texas during the Battle of Galveston. On recto, is a transcription of an article from the "Richmond Va Examiner"...

GLC02254.08

to Richard T. Renshaw

Orders Renshaw to survey the captured schooner Anne S. Davenport at Roanoke Island and report "the valuation of vessel and cargo."

Melancton Smith served as a commanding officer in the Sounds of North Carolina during 1864.

GLC02254.18

[Invitation to a 4th of July celebration sponsored by the Ist Regt. N.C. Union Volunteers]

Printed invitation requesting Renshaw's presence at a 4th of July celebration at Fort Macon. Includes an "Order of Exercise" listing a variety of activities for the day, including music, prayer, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a...

GLC02254.21

to Richard T. Renshaw

Lt. Sumner of the USS Massasoit lists men volunteering their services. The list is broken up into sections: "Officers," "Marines," and "Sailors." Marked "copy". There is a short autograph letter signed from Sumner attached, stating that "I deem it...

GLC02254.24

[Blank Log of Ship's Battery]

Blank printed document from the Navy Department. To be filled out by the vessel's commander with a complete record of the ship's battery and all changes made.

GLC02254.16

to Richard T. Renshaw

Responds to news of broken boilers in Renshaw's vessels and asks if Renshaw can "not make the repairs on one with your own workmen." Desires to send the U.S.S. Miami, currently under Renshaw's command, to Hatteras Inlet. Inquires about the...

GLC02254.19

to Richard T. Renshaw

Parker, Commander of the U.S.S. Onondaga, states "you will not employ Negroes as lookouts, as they are not fit to be entrusted with such important duties." Informs Renshaw, Commander of the U.S.S. Massasoit, that "in this Division the strictest...

GLC02254.22

to John A.J. Brooks

Writes to Brooks with orders to keep all transports of provisions "from passing the 'valley City' except by the Local Treasury Agents permit."

GLC02254.17

[General order to be read aloud by the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Miami]

General order to read letter from Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. A transcription of Welles' letter, a response to Smith's report of the action at the Battle of Albermarle is attached. Welles "congratulates all of the Officers and Men of the...

GLC02254.20

[Orders to dispatch a gunboat to the mouth of the Chickahominy]

Brig. Gnl. Turner relays orders to William A. Parker, in command of the U.S.S. Onondaga. Parker then orders Captain S.W. Graves of the U.S.S. Miami to the Chickahominy. Notes that "should the 'Miami' not be ready to move at once Comdr. Renshaw will...

GLC02254.23

to Richard T. Renshaw

Orders Renshaw to move on to Beaufort, North Carolina and telegraph a series of dispatches to General Sherman. "Use all the haste you can as these dispatches are very important." He is then ordered to return to the Sounds of North Carolina via...

GLC02254.26

[Agreement allowing the U.S. Navy use of Tourgee's schooner]

Documents a transaction between Daniel G. Tourgee, master of the schooner Garrison, and Richard T. Renshaw as a representative of the United States Navy. Renshaw has come to Richmond in order to charter Tourgee's schooner for ten days or more....

GLC02254.29

to Richard T. Renshaw

The Chief of the Navy Bureau of Construction and Repair writes to Renshaw in response to a letter "enclosing charters with schooners 'Farland' and 'Montevue'." Asks Renshaw to communicate with Commandant Berrien about "barges belonging to the...

GLC02254.30

to Richard T. Renshaw

Writes Renshaw about arrangements to send the mortar schooner Henry James to Norfolk carrying ammunition. At Hatteras, the schooner Etta is to meet the Henry James and transfer more ammunition aboard. Mentions that "we have news here, which I...

GLC02254.27

to Ella Godley Renshaw

Writes to his wife from aboard the U.S.S. Massasoit. Expresses confusion over Ella not having received letters from him -- "I write...every two or three days, and what becomes of my letters gracious only knows." Mentions some money he has sent her...

GLC02254.25

[Agreement allowing the U.S. Navy use of Avery's schooner]

Documents a transaction between William N. Avery, master of the schooner Fairland, and Richard T. Renshaw as a representative of the United States Navy. Renshaw has come to Richmond in order to "charter and take" Avery's schooner "to use or not to...

GLC02254.28

to Richard T. Renshaw

Smith writes to Renshaw with orders to discharge Colonel Wallace Wilson of the 1st Colored Brigade,"he having originally enlisted for one year." The order also extends to "any other Contrabands on board the 'Agawam'." Forwarded by Commodore Joseph...

GLC02254.31

[Instructions for directing letters]

Renshaw gives his address aboard the U.S.S. Worcester in care of the Consul General in Havana, via the US Secretary of State. He adds, "you do not want to put any stamps on your letter."

GLC02254.39

To the commander of the sloop of war Canandaigua [in Spanish]

Seal in upper lefthand corner of first page. Pages sewn together in upper lefthand corner. Denounces the ex-Confederate blockade runner "Virginius". Argues that the ship has violated Spanish waters and committed piratical acts. Admiral Bermejo y...

GLC02254.34

to Richard T. Renshaw

Rear Admiral Lee writes Renshaw with orders to transfer to the Kansas "together with Eight (8) reliable men." Letter written aboard the U.S. Flagship Worcester.

GLC02254.32

to Richard T. Renshaw

Rear Admiral Lee orders Renshaw to investigate an attack reported by the Colonel Chief of Staff, Jose de Chasso. De Chasso's report was relayed by Genl. Franciscos de Ceballos. Sailors "supposed to belong to the Worcester, attacked a Sentinel...

GLC02254.33

[Manual of marching maneuvers]

Hand bound notebook containing detailed instructions for marching maneuvers. In one half of the notebook, Renshaw has written out instructions for the loading, firing and inspection of arms. When flipped over, the other half of the notebook...

GLC02254.37