February 28, 1858

Cunningham, John S., ?-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

States reasons for non-fulfillment of an order. Explains that he did not appear on deck earlier in the day, because he believed the order to do so applied only to specific officers, and states he meant no harm with his actions. Apparently McBlair required a signed statement regarding even minor breaches of conduct. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale."

GLC00722.30

April 12, 1858

Duggan, John, fl. 1857-1858

Letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

John Duggan requests a discharge so that he can return home, his reasons being "the same as stated before." With signed attestation of Stephen G. King, Sail Master, stating Duggan's signature is true. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at Porto Praya on Cape Verde.

GLC00722.31

April 13, 1858

King, Stephen G., fl. 1858-1859

Letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Requesting a survey of the ship's sails. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale." King was the Sail Master on the "Dale."

GLC00722.32

April 13, 1858

King, Stephen G., fl. 1858-1859

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

King reports that the ship's sails have been inspected, and that they are "unfit for further use." Instead he recommends "that they be used for parcelling." Signed by King, Davidson, and Cummings, and signed and approved by McBlair. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale."

GLC00722.33

April 23, 1858

Davidson, Hunter, 1827-1913

Manuscript letter

Title: Copy of letter to William McBlair

Copy of a "survey upon all the important iron-work of this ship." Reports that much of the ship's ironwork is "much worn and appear unsafe." With the names of Davidson, Cummings, and Dixon (all three are clerical signatures). Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," in Porto Praya, Cape Verde. Dixon was the acting carpenter on board the "Dale."

GLC00722.34

April 23, 1858

Davidson, Hunter, 1827-1913

Manuscript letter

Title: to William McBlair

Copy of a letter to McBlair, stating that some of the bolts, chains, and ironwork on board the "Dale" are "defective and unsafe." Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at Porto Praya, Cape Verde.

GLC00722.35

May 2, 1858

Adams, John, fl. 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Requesting permission to return to Liberia, John Adams states that he needs to return to personally report a death, or be liable for punishment under the laws of Liberia, of which he is a citizen. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Adams is not in the May 1857 list of crew members. Adams's name and the content of his note suggest that he was likely a "Krooman" - one of many native Liberians who were recruited by American and European ship's captains. The Kroomen were often expert swimmers and fishermen, and had valuable knowledge of local geography, language and customs.

GLC00722.36

5 July 1858

Dozier, J.D., fl. 1858

Document signed

Title: Report of prisoners confind on board U S ship Dale

Lists eight prisoners held on board the ship. Two were imprisoned for desertion, the rest for lesser, insubordinate acts. Dozier was Master at Arms for the U.S.S. "Dale."

GLC00722.38

January 11, 1843

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Kell to midshipman in the Navy of the United States]

Partially printed commission effective from 9 September 1841. Co-signed by L.B. Hardin and Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy. Seal missing.

GLC00684.01

24 July 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Kell to Lieutenant of the United States Navy]

Commission effective from 15 September 1855. Co-signed by James Cochrane Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy, and L.B. Hardin. Features two detailed patriotic scenes and a paper seal.

GLC00684.03

1843-1900 (bulk: 1861-65)

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Header Record

Title: Collection of John McIntosh Kell [Decimalized .01-.21]

Kell was a member of the United States Navy from 1843 until 19 January, 1861, the day of Georgia's secession from the United States. He served in the Confederate Navy for the duration of the Civil War, commanded the C.S.S. Savannah, and was made a captain for his work as First Lieutenant under Captain Raphael Semmes on the C.S.S. Alabama. In 1886, he became the Adjutant General of Georgia. In 1900, the year of his death, he published a book, "Recollections of a Naval Life; Including the Cruises of the Confederate Steamers Sumter and Alabama."

GLC00684

May 6, 1849-June 16, 1849

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his sister while suspended from duty and awaiting Court Martial aboard the Albany. He describes surrounding islands of Santo Domingo and Navarro with stories of landscape and native islanders. He arrives at Aux Cayes, Haiti, on June 11, 1849 and learns that "the Frigate Raritan had sailed from there ten days since for Port au Prince." On June 16, 1849, writes of the Albany's move to St. Iago de Cuba, where he is allowed to go ashore after four months confinement. He feels like "quite a new being" and reports to his family that he will reach Pensacola by "the…

GLC00684.02

October 6, 1859

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife while commandant at Warrington Navy Yard. He discusses a month long leave of absence to visit his family. He mentions that he is a member of a court investigating the grounding of the Fulton, and that his cousin, Captain James McKay McIntosh, is unwell. Letter written at the Warrington Navy Yard, Florida.

GLC00684.04

February 24, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh writes to his wife about a package he has sent her. He responds to news of his sons' ill health and suggests a healthier diet for them. He mentions a ship named the Everglade which is to be purchased the next day, "when I will take immediate command." The ship will be renamed the Savannah. He has gathered a group of "25 men & will probably make up the 50 before I leave." Year of letter inferred from day of week.

GLC00684.06

March 5, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes that "I hope to refer the Savannah ready for service day after tomorrow." He makes reference to Yankee slang on the third page. In closing, Kell mentions that he had meant to send a copy of Lincoln's inaugural address and adds that "I do not think it is calculated much to intimidate the President of our Southern Confederacy, nor will it carry much weight in the North."

GLC00684.07

March 18, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Hell writes that on his arrival at Cumberland Island he was greeted by "a goodly number of ladies & gentlemen, guests & household of Mr. Nightengale" eager "to view the Georgia Steamer of War." He reports that he will be sailing to Fernandina, Florida in an attempt to get guns for the boat. Letter written aboard the Savannah, offshore of Dungeness Manor on Cumberland Island.

GLC00684.08

March 22, 1861

Kell, John McIntosh, 1823-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife about the ill health of their son. He mentions that "Commodore Tattnall is here & I am to report to him tomorrow: Morris' Steamer the Huntress has arrived."

GLC00684.09

August 16, 1863 - August 18, 1863

Kell, Julia Blanche, 1836-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Evelyn Kell

Julia Blanche Kell writes to Kell's sister, Evy. She mentions Kell's mother and his sister Mary. She discusses a stylish new bonnet she has recently sent to Evelyn, which "is quite moderate. I think my summer bonnet is higher," and offers to send fabrics from Macon Mills to Kell's mother and sisters. On August 18, she mentions a letter from Kell "dated 'Bahia' 20th of May." She writes that Kell has reported "they have destroyed 47 vessels of the enemy," including the Hatteras. She says that Kell thinks "the Yankees will be quite ready for peace -- how mistaken he is poor fellow!" Julia's…

GLC00684.10

1 June 1864

Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Kell to commander of the Provisional Navy of the Confederate States]

Kell promoted for service "as first Lieutenant and Executive Officer on the C.S. Steam Sloops Sumter and Alabama, under the command of Captain Raphael Semmes." Commission effective from 4 October 1863. Signed by Mallory as Secretary of Navy.

GLC00684.11

circa June 1864

Tremlett, Francis W., fl. 1850-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John McIntosh Kell

Mentions a letter from his sister, Louisa Tremlett, and invites Kell and Semmes to visit him for "a regular Southern party of Southern people." He encloses a letter from John Hay, now missing, which describes the response of "the British service, & indeed the British people" to the sinking of the C.S.S. Alabama -- "it was a glorious death & I find is so regarded everywhere." Dated Tuesday morning. Francis W. Tremlett, a British parson, was an ardent Confederate sympathizer. Semmes and Kell stayed with Tremlett in London following the sinking of the Alabama.

GLC00684.12

28 November 1864

Lee, Sydney Smith, 1802-1869

Document signed

Title: [Confederate States Navy Department orders to proceed to Richmond]

Partially printed document signed by Captain Sydney Smith Lee. Docket added 1 December 1864 reads: "Be pleased to assume command of the C.S. Iron-Clad 'Richmond'." Co-signed by John Mitchell aboard the Virginia. Sidney Smith Lee, older brother of Robert E. Lee, had accompanied Perry to Japan in 1853 and served as one of the early commandants of the U.S. Naval Academy Lee was commissioned as a commander in the Confederate Navy in 1861 and promoted to captain and chief of the Confederate Navy Bureau of Orders and Detail in 1864.

GLC00684.13

November 14, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to the Convention of Maryland

Enclosing a letter from James Searle regarding possible attack by British fleet. On November 13, 1776 Searle spotted about one hundred British ships off the point of Sandy Hook at Long Branch, New Jersey. He immediately wrote to Thomas Wharton Jr., chairman of the Pennsylvania Council for Safety and warned him that the ships seemed to be heading southward. The letter caused great worry in Congress. Hancock sent letters to assemblies in all of the Southern states, and enclosed a copy of Searle's letter as well. However, the British fleet Searle saw was heading for Britain. Letter also notes…

GLC00779

1861-1864

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Henry S. Figures, F company, 4th regiment, Alabama, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .33]

Figures was a member of Law's Brigade, Longstreet Division, of the 4th Alabama Infantry. Letters mention prisoners from the "Star of the West," the Battles of Manassas, Yorktown, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, enslaved people, etc. Figures was killed at Battle of the Wilderness on 4 May 1864. Two of the letters (10 April 1861 and 25 April 1861) are on "Confederate States of America, War Department" stationery. Also includes 1867 burial card and a 6 page biographical manuscript (ca. 1890).

GLC00653.01

October 6, 1862

Smith, Gustavus Woodson, 1821-1896

Letter signed

Title: to Robert E. Lee

Confederate Major General Smith discusses troop activities and movements, including an attack on Union gunboats. Also discusses a requisition for "negroes to work upon the fortifications under recent act of the Legislature - When we get negroes the works will be finished rapidly to completion." Refers to the request of North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance "for more protection for the eastern portion of the state." Writes "The yellow fever at Wilmington will prevent the enemy from attempting anything in that quarter for some time to come - and during the epidemic the Troops had better be…

GLC00648

July 7, 1857

Clymer, George, 1804-1881

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

Instructions on how to write to her husband, Captain William McBlair, while he is at sea off the African coast. George Clymer was a U.S. Naval surgeon.

GLC00722.57