8 June 1883

Forbes, Robert Bennet, 1804-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Writes to Walker that he has been busy fitting out the "Rae" and the "Rebecca." Says they both have a new coat of paint and that the "Rae" has been supplied with "important necessaries," including a cable and anchor. Says the men on board await his orders. Can send the orders to the ships by express to the railroad station or have the "Talapora" take them to the wharf in Portsmouth.

GLC03804.20

circa 1918

Typed document

Title: Walker

Document giving a description of the destroyer USS "Walker" -- named after the late Rear Admiral John G. Walker. It is noted that the ship was 314 feet long, was launched on 14 September 1918 at Fore River, Massachusetts, and that the family sponsor of the vessel was Francis Pickering Walker Thomas, the admiral's daughter. Provides a quick biography of Walker, focusing on his service in the Civil War. Very faded stamp at top says "Return to Mrs. R.T. Hall 611 Overbrook Avenue. Philadelphia, Pa." Underneath the stamp and written in pencil is a note saying "if incorrect." Document typed on very…

GLC03804.48

7 November 1860

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West [incomplete]

Says he arrived in Foochow on 26 October after a 14 day voyage from Hong Kong. Ran into a northeast monsoon along the way. Says "Foochow is one of the few places I have never visited before on the coast of China." Goes on to describe the city, saying it only recently became an important city in the tea trade and that the Min River, which empties at Foochow, is very dangerous. Says the first thing he did upon arriving in port was a "regular house cleaning," and says the ship now looks like "a pretty girl rigged up for a ball, the handsomest craft, here!" Has taken on 200 tons of tea after…

GLC03836.01

14 March 1856

Miller, George S., fl. 1856

Printed document signed

Title: [Pass allowing Lewis West to leave the Victorian Docks in London]

Pass permiting Mr. Lewis West, the mate of "the Ship Screamer @ Calcutta to enter or quit the Dock up to 9 o'Clock, so long as the Vessel remains in Dock." Signature is sloppy and might not say "George S. Miller."

GLC03836.02

6 June 1860

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

References his mother's and Mary's letters. Says he is finally in Shanghai "after one of the hardest passages I ever made, to, or from, the Indies." Says their sails froze to the mast in January and they could barely get them set. Goes on to describe the bad weather of the voyage in detail, including running into a hurricane after rounding the Cape of Good Hope. Says the voyage to China took 142 days and said "It is a relief to find other people worse off than yourself, so I was exceedingly pleased to learn that the, Magenta, a rival clipper, which sailed 8 days before us, was not yet arrived…

GLC03836.03

3 June 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says nothing has happened recently except coming across a vessel from Bremen, Germany that was bound for Charleston. The "Minnesota" ordered it off and sent it to Baltimore. It is understood that they will be stationed off Fernandina, near the mouth of the St. Mary River in Florida. Speaks poorly of his captain, who "acted as if he was totally ignorant of the existence of such a thing as the Gulf Stream." Says they captured a ship with a cargo of cotton a few days before. Continues the letter on 4 June. Says the "Perry" captured its first privateer yesterday. Describes the 5 hour chase. The…

GLC03836.07

16 July 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Signed twice by West. A follow up letter to GLC03836.08. Says his ship will resupply at Hampton Roads and then cruise between there and Cape Hatteras. Hopes that "we shall do our duty more efficiently than we have so far, as the blockade we established of the St. Mary's river was nothing but a ridiculous farce, had there been any vessels in there they could have got out at any time." Says this was partially because of their captain "having the most extraordinary ideas of blockading ever heard of." Goes on to say "he was afraid of being becalmed inshore and having a steamer come out to attack…

GLC03836.09

20 December 1822

Winsor, Nathaniel, Jr., 1775-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Requesting Hobart's assisstance regarding a law that will pay them for the loss of their ship. "If the result should be in our favor, and you have any voice or influence...you will request the law to authorize the Collector to pay the allowance to the Owner of the Ready Rhino." The Ready Rhino was a ship that belonged to the Winsor's that had been lost at sea, for which they were seeking compensation. In February Hobart petitioned Congress on behalf of Winsor's. The Journal of the House of Representatives states "Monday, February 11, 1822...Mr. Hobart presented a petition of Nathaniel…

GLC06313.04.207

17 September 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Is at Hampton Roads for repairs. Gives an account of the collision. When on board the USS "Flag," he noticed the ship was not well disciplined. Describes the crew. Goes on to describe in detail how the frigate USS "Susquehanna" and the "Flag" came to collide. Says the "Flag" sustained damage to the "upper works" and "was in no danger, her elongated bow and cutwater having acted as a fender for her timbers and planking." Sums the situation up by saying "The rule for two steamers meeting to avoid collision is perfectly clear and simple, viz, both ships put their helms aport, the effect of…

GLC03836.22

6 September 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says he is still waiting for his ship to arrive. Describes the people he has met at the fort. References General John Wool -- "Old Wool" -- who works the troops in reviews and drills. Says "I never saw a more beautiful sight than a review of the 4th artillery (regulars) that we had the other day. I only wish that we had a hundred thousand such troops." Tells the story of a captain who took his ship oystering and was fired upon by Union pickets when he tried to return. The captain was so angry that he declared "Nothing would satisfy him but that an equal number of them should get into the…

GLC03836.21

22 October 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says they are going at least as far south as Charleston, as they will be dropping off officers there. Has heard they might attack Charleston and claims 18 transport ships will be joining them down to South Carolina, enough to hold 25,000 troops. Heard rumors of a Confederate attack at Newport News. Says a man fell over 100 feet while working on the sails during a recent gale. Says he is in command of a "fine rifled twelve pounder." Written was aboard the USS "Wabash"

GLC03836.24

21 December 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says he started down for Fernandine. Says they previously boarded an English ship loaded with salt heading for New Brunswick. The ship had a letter stating that it should try to get to Savannah, Georgia if possible, but to go to New Brunswick otherwise. They thought it was a weak ruse to avoid the blockade and they towed the ship into Port Royal. Says they captured a ship ladened with provisions after it ran ashore on the beach. Describes the capture and eventual burning of the ship in detail. Says he was able to get some coffee and a new pair of shoes and that 12,000 cigars were captured.…

GLC03836.29

January 20, 1862

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

References his mother and sister's letters of 19 and 20 December and another from 6 January. Mentions remembering his father riding on a pig's back down Seventh Street along the Schuylkill River. Says the fog has been bad lately, which helps ships run out of the harbor, but makes running in hard. Says 2 nights ago a boat with 3 contrabands came to their ship. Says 1 of the 3 was very intelligent and gave them valuable information about the harbor, as he had been in a pilot boat. Describes their escape. Says one was "a full blooded darky," another "a mulatto," and the other "so nearly white…

GLC03836.30

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

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

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

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

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

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

16 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, the former commander of the USS "Baron de Kalb," which sunk on its recent excursion up the Yazoo River. Asks him to call on General Grant 24 hours before he is ready to start up the Yazoo River "for the purpose of raising the De Kalb." Porter wants to save the hull of the "Baron de Kalb" if possible. Tells him to get all the materials necessary to do this. Asks him to save the machinery and everything movable on board if he cannot save the hull. Says the "Champion" will be used for a…

GLC03804.10

19 August 1882

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Admiral Porter to Captain Walker as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. Marked "Private." It seems Walker was reporting about an experimental ship that was in need of repairs. Porter says repairs should be made and that is important to "find a vessel that will turn on her center, and go astern." Porter is not concerned about the repairs. Complains to Walker about the Board of Inspectors and hopes there are changes. Letter has very illegible handwriting.

GLC03804.19

15 December 1782

Noailles, Louis Marie, vicomte de, 1756-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to tell Knox he is sailing for France in a few days. Writes, "the last sentiments of a person near to death are sometimes precious nothing looks more like it than the imense separation of the sea." Comments that though he "will be soon forgotten in America" he would like to leave Knox with "esteems and friendship" which he permitted Noailles to speak so often in the Army. References Knox's appointment to Major General, and declares that while he will not pay him a compliment, if he were in Congress he would tell them they had done their duty in giving Knox the promotion. Hopes to…

GLC02437.01745

9 October 1781

Hunter, James, fl. 1781

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Contemporary copy of GLC02437.01216. In response to Knox's letter ordering Hunter to send iron and ordnance to James River (GLC02437.01193), Hunter explains how he has complied and what problems he has encountered. Also mentions naval engagements involving Dutch ships. The Continental Army was then executing the siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01217

May 23, 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

Includes two letters, one addressed to Mrs. Lucy Knox, and one to her daughter, Miss Lucy Knox. In the first letter, to Mrs. Knox, he comments that he has tried to find out information about her family but was unable to; if he is able to visit England, he will try again there. Declares that he sent along a variety of gifts for herself and Miss Lucy, including hats and sweet meats. Comments that General Lafayette might also travel on the ship which is taking the present letter and the gifts. Mentions that Lafayette is "elevated above I may venture to say all the young noblemen in the kingdom"…

GLC02437.01427

1783-1815

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown [incomplete]

Possibly created by Colonel Henry Jackson (1747-1809) from Massachusetts. Asks the recipient to mention to an unspecified General any matters pertaining to him. Requests several orders by the next post. Threatens that if these orders are not sent, the recipient "shall have no part in the ship at Newberg, this you may depend on-" GLC02437.00591 and GLC02437.09451 were originally one document.

GLC02437.09451