26 August 1862

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary West

Written by Lewis to his sister Mary. Continues the letter on 30 August and 5 September. Disparages where he is stationed, saying it is desolate and lacks civilized life. Says he has been made an executive officer again, due to personnel changes on the ship. Says he is at St. Andrews Sound because the "Alabama" has been under steam for over a year and cannot be trusted to make the trip north to be overhauled. Therefore they are waiting in Georgia for the machinery to come to them. Says the repairs are needed as dry rot is everywhere. At St. Simons three weeks before he "had the pleasure of a…

GLC03836.37

31 October 1862

Paulding, Hiram, 1797-1878

Letter signed

Title: to Lewis West

Commodore Paulding orders Acting Master West to go to Philadelphia without delay and report to Commodore Pendergrast for duty aboard the USS "Juniata." Note signed by Navy Agent James S. Chambers says West was paid 9 dollars for travel from New York to Philadelphia. Docket signed by G. J. Pendergrast says West reported for duty on 1 November 1862. Pendergrast died of a paralytic stroke on 7 November 1862.

GLC03836.38

31 October 1862

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Document signed

Title: to Lewis West

Printed Navy Department document orders West to proceed to Philadelphia without delay and report to Commodore Pendergrast for duty on the USS "Ladona." Signed by Welles as Secretary of the Navy. Note on bottom of document, signed by Commander C.H. Stribling, tells West to report to Commander Rolando. Docket signed by Commanders Paulding and Rolando says West reported on 5 November.

GLC03836.39

January 17, 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Rumors abound of a Confederate attack on Newport News by Longstreet's Corps and riverboats. Says the "Galena," "Patapsco," "Minnesota," "Pawnee," "Ladona," "Commodore Morris," and "Commodore Perry," are present. Says things are in order, but he has been critical of some of the younger officers. Reports that they "Neither like me very well and I think they will like me still less as they get better acquainted." Says his ship will soon leave Newport News for Port Royal to join DuPont's fleet. Says the ship is "wretchedly out of stern," which has been slowing her down. Says it occurred when the…

GLC03836.40

January 23, 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

References his mother's letter of 20 January. Says they are waiting in Newport News under sailing orders, which means they could leave at any minute or sit for an indefinite period. Says the tugboats are sent 8 or 9 miles upriver to keep a lookout for Confederate riverboats and that they announced an attack the night before. There was great confusion when the ships deployed to defend against the attack because of a night fog. Nothing came of the supposed attack. Goes on to describe the Norfolk navy yard in detail, saying it was "a scene of utter ruin and desolation." Says the hull of the USS…

GLC03836.41

February 5, 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says they arrived at Port Royal towing the ironclad "Weehawken" after a stormy passage. Describes sailing in the storm in detail. They wanted to cut the "Weehawken" loose, but no one could get on her deck to release the chain. Updates her on recent blockading news around South Carolina. Continues letter on 6 February. Has just been told to have any letters to him directed to Key West, Florida. Says the "Weehawken," has sustained more damage than expected.

GLC03836.42

12 March 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Weir

References Weir's poor health. Says "The only difference between the blockade here now, and last year is, that if possible it is more inefficient than it was. It seems to me that the slowest ships and the thickest headed commanding officers are always specially selected for duty." Is pessimistic about the future because of the leadership of Hunter and Turner specifically. Says there have been recent changes in their blockading system due to intelligence of the many ships reaching Nassau from Charleston, but he doubts they will amount to much. Says his captain is energetic and vigilant. Says…

GLC03836.44

22 March 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says nothing has occurred since his last letter. Reports that the Confederates are improving their defenses to the harbor. Says "By the time they have completed their last battery, I presume there will be no longer any reasonable excuse for delaying the attack." Says they captured a small ship that had lost its way and drifted out to sea. Says he was able to speak to the captured sergeant and 8 privates. Written while aboard the USS "Ladona"

GLC03836.45

11 July 1863

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Document signed

Title: [Orders detaching John G. Walker from command of the "Baron de Kalb]

Printed document detaching Lieutenant Commander John G. Walker from the command of the USS "Baron de Kalb" in the Mississippi Squadron. Signed by Welles as Secretary of the Navy and co-signed by A.R.A. Porter. Docket says "Reply Forwarded Aug 20th 1863 David D Porter."

GLC03804.08

7 July 1869

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Porter as Superintendent of the Naval Academy to Commander Walker who was just given command of the USS "Sabine." Apologizes for being so busy. Says he has sent him all the orders he asked for and that he should have sailing directions enough to last him on a trip around the world. Hopes Walker got everything he wanted in Boston. Says that Walker probably wants to know his opinion of the new Naval Secretary, George M. Robeson. Porter says Robeson "has a good deal more 'snap' to him than Mr. Borie." Says the Navy will be "straight as a rams' horn" when he gets back. Written on…

GLC03804.13

29 March 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. She seems to have had a meeting with "Mr. Welles" -- possibly the Secretary of Navy Gideon Welles. She thinks one of the charges brought against Henry was disloyalty. She is surprised because "you and Pa at the first out break of the war opposed secession." She mentions that their father was president of a Union meeting early in the war. Says there was a "reign of terror" in West Virginia when Confederate forces came through, making arrests. She says it was well known that Henry always did what he felt was right. Also mentions that their father is…

GLC03523.21.55

7 April 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says their father wants him to send home an allotment ticket. Says their father would be able to put the payment, which is in gold, to good use, maybe to purchase land. Continues letter on 18 April 1866. References his letters of 1 February and 11 February, both of which had photographs in them. Henry seems to be thinking about settling in the East Indies. If that is the case, their father would not have thought his resignation such a mistake. Says their Baltimore friends consider his resignation a mistake. Everyone is afraid of the glut of surgeons…

GLC03523.21.56

26 May 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Hopes he comes home from the Pacific soon. Says the newspapers include exciting accounts of mining in Nevada and Colorado. Says the papers are filled with news of war in Europe (Austria and Italy). Mentions that their father conditionally sold 850 acres of mountain land. There is concern about the rights to coal and oil on the land. Updates him on new faces and stores in town, as well as recent marriages. Stained and faded.

GLC03523.21.57

8 July 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says there has been hot weather lately and that their father is in good health. Says he has not answered whether he would like to take advantage of an investment opportunity in a house in Baltimore for 200 dollars. Their father has rented a nice house until 1 October. Says she is putting off all enjoyments until he gets home. Mentions that there are several cases of cholera in Baltimore. Continues the letter on 17 July 1866 -- Says she read in the Sun that the "Wyoming" (Henry's ship) was involved in a collision in Nagasaki, Japan and she hopes it is…

GLC03523.21.59

1861-1865

C.R., fl. 16th century

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Marked that it was written from "Vermont - after dinner," probably referring to the USS "Vermont." Thanks McSherry for his note of that morning and says that he has seen nothing of the requisitions he requested. Says he sent a request to him this morning, but never received a reply. Wants to know if McSherry can fill in for him on board the ship from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

GLC03523.21.60

2 December 1861

McSherry, Henry F., fl. 1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gideon Welles

Written by McSherry as Assistant Surgeon aboard the USS "Vandalia" to Welles as Secretary of Navy. Marked "Copy" at bottom. Acknowledges receiving Welles's order of 30 November 1861 to proceed to Philadelphia and to report to Commodore Pendergast for duty on board the "USS Sciota," a steam gunboat. Written at the Navy Yard.

GLC03523.21.62

6 October 1866

Vedder, Gill, fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Says he is sorry the accompanying articles (not included here) were not sent yesterday. Sends a recipe for an unknown substance consisting of: 9 pounds of flax seed meal and 1 ounce quinine. Date of creation and place written from docket.

GLC03523.21.65

25 October 1862-16 June 1863

Walker, John G., 1835-1907

Manuscript document signed

Title: [John G. Walker's unbound orderly book for 25 October 1862-16 June 1863]

Contains 38 separate entries, which seem to be a copy of his official correspondence. Is written in several different hands. Writes at first on board the U.S. Gunboat "Chillicothe" at Jeffersonville, Indiana 25-29 October 1862. Afterward he writes from the Yazoo River region on board the U.S. Gunboat "Baron de Kalb." Most of the entries are of correspondence to Admiral David D. Porter, but also contains correspondence with Captain A. M. Pennock, Brigadier General W. A. Gorman, and Captain J. A. Dahlgren, among other lesser-ranked officers. Excerpts: 25 October 1862, to Admiral David D…

GLC03804.01

28 October 1862

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Admiral Porter orders Lieutenant Commander Walker to report to him to take command of the "Baron de Kalb." Tells him to turn over command of the "Chillicothe." Docket says he reported on 4 November. Docket on recto is signed by W.G. Boggs as paymaster who gave Walker $33.85 for mileage to Cairo.

GLC03804.02

4 November 1862

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Admiral Porter commands Lieutenant Commander Walker to take command of the "Baron de Kalb" and "to get her ready for service with all dispatch."

GLC03804.03

January 11, 1863

Walker, John G., 1835-1907

Document

Title: [List of those killed and wounded at Arkansas Post aboard the USS "Baron de Kalb"]

Lists 2 killed, 2 seriously wounded and probably mortal, 4 seriously wounded, and 9 slightly wounded from the crew of the USS "Baron de Kalb" at the battle for Arkansas Post. A carte de visite photograph (9.6 x 6.1 cm) of Theodore Zendon, one of the two killed, is also included. Zendon appears to be in his early teens. Verso of the photograph says "Theodore Zendon / 128 East 27th street / N.Y.C." Walker received accolades from Congress for his service during the battle for Arkansas Post. Written of the coast of Arkansas Post, Arkansas

GLC03804.04

February 12, 1863

Meacham, J.W., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Master's Mate Meacham to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Co-signed by Acting Lieutenant and Executive Officer Jonathan V. Johnston, attesting to the veracity of this letter. Meacham says he ordered Henry Hines to sweep down the boiler casemates to prepare them for whitewashing. Hines refused to follow the order. He was sent to the executive officer who threw him in the brig. Afterward William Fordham also refused the duty, "saying he was not contented while on board this boat."

GLC03804.05

February 13, 1863

Gorringe, Henry Honeychurch, 1841-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Ensign Gorringe to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Reports that William Fordam and Henry Hines both disobeyed orders while he was officer of the deck on 10 February 1863. The order was repeated and they both refused to do any more duty on the "Baron de Kalb." Written aboard the USS "Baron de Kalb" on the Yazoo River.

GLC03804.06

3 July 1863

Dorr, S.B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W.H.S. Fintress

Written by Dorr as commander of USS "Hamilton" to Fintress as the commander of the USS "Rattler." Recommends that Dr. W.H. Wilson of the U.S. Navy on board the "Rattler" be forwarded to the North "to be designated for the benefit of his health." Dorr says Wilson is in a critical state. Also recommends that a trusted officer escort Wilson. Written while aboard the USS "Hamilton"

GLC03804.07

11 July 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Rear Admiral Porter as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Command Walker in command of the USS "Baron de Kalb." Says when his escort ships are ready, he is to proceed up the Yazoo River and capture all the guns at Yazoo City. Walker is also supposed to inflict as much damage to the enemy as opportunity offers. Says General Grant will send troops with him. Says the expedition will be ready to proceed tomorrow morning. Wants him to capture steamers if possible and destroy effectively those that are sunk. The "Baron de Kalb" was sunk on this mission.

GLC03804.09