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

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

12 August 1863

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Rear Admiral Porter as commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Tells Walker that as soon as he is finished with the "Yazoo business" that he is to report to Cairo. Porter says he will be there.

GLC03804.11

22 August 1867

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Porter as Superintendent of the Naval Academy to Commander Walker as a member of Porter's staff at the Academy. Tells him to not worry about returning quickly as little is happening. Congratulates him on the birth of his daughter. Makes reference to rumors about him in Annapolis (the handwriting is hard to decipher here), but he hopes Congress will work it out. Written on stationery of the U.S. Naval Academy.

GLC03804.12

31 July 1869

Wainwright, John Howard, 1829-1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Writes that he heard the USS "Sabine," under the command of Walker has just arrived at Spithead, England. Wants to know "of the working of the water machine which I put up on board." Asks for a note informing of his experiences with the machine. Trusts he will meet him at some point during his cruise. Wainwright asks that letters to him be sent to Paris.

GLC03804.15

5 August 1869

Hancock, George, 1819-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Royal Navy Flag Captain Hancock, commander of the HMS "Duke of Wellington" has written to Walker as commander of the USS "Sabine." Hancock says that it appears 3 bondsmen have deserted from the Royal Marines and have taken refuge on Walker's ship. Says that he is certain Walker would not have admitted the men if he knew that they were deserters, but that they probably presented themselves to the Americans falsely. Sends along a separate sheet describing the men (not included here). Asks if the men are indeed on his ship that they be put on shore where the police can apprehend them. Hopes…

GLC03804.16

11 October 1869

Prevost, James Charles, 1810-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Rear Admiral Prevost of the Royal Navy to Captain Walker of the USS "Sabine." Writes that he is obliged for the honor "you did me in saluting me when I visited your ship - and I regret very much I have not the opportunity of returning it, except by thanking you which I now do." Says he is especially honored because his flag was not raised and Walker did not have to do it.

GLC03804.17

February 22, 1880

Telegram

Title: to the British consul in Nice, France

Appears to be sent to the British consul in Nice, France by an unknown creator. Asks for the consul to arrange for the Duke of Cambridge to pay a private visit to the American admiral and fleet next Tuesday (perhaps Walker's ship the USS "Sabine" was part of this fleet). On blue telegram form with date stamp.

GLC03804.18

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

30 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the letter and the trunk of food they sent him. He has packed his winter clothing and will be sending it home so as to not carry it around during the summer months. Writes that there is rumor that his regiment will join the main Army in Murfreesboro. In a separate letter dated the evening of April 30th, Wheeler describes seeing "the darkies" dance to the music of his regiment's band. He also writes that General Rosencrans' wife announced that fighting had commenced in Murfreesboro.

GLC07460.026

22 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Tells his family not to worry if they don't hear from him soon, as he is preparing to march and will not be able to write for a while. Reports that the rebs have moved but it is not exactly known where to. He comments on the poor quality of farming in the town, stating that "the farmers feared to put in their crops thinking the Yanks would be along." A review has been ordered by General Sherman. He writes that Lieut. Col. Valette was stunned by a blow from a piece of shell. Wheeler writes of Resaca, [GA] as a well fortified place where "dead rebs lay scattered all through the woods..."

GLC07460.030

22 September 1863

Bope, Abraham, 1837-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sr. and Lydia Bope

Bope writes to his parents from Catlett's Station. Expects a big fight in or near Gordonsville, Virginia. Says Union General George Meade will be there soon. Comments that Confederate General Robert E. Lee has 80,000 men. Expresses confidence they will "... whip lee if it is managed right." Mentions 30,000 new conscripts arriving. Discusses the upcoming election and his hope that John Brough will be the next Governor of Ohio.

GLC03523.03.19

29 August 1864

Bope, Abraham, 1837-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia Bope

Bope writes to his mother from camp in Chattanooga. Letter is faded and almost illegible. Mentions Union General William T. Sherman's position outside Atlanta. Refers to Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and John Hood.

GLC03523.03.22

10 October 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Mentions they are waiting for General Ulysses S. Grant to bring in reinforcements. Comments that his rheumatism is bothering him and he writes of a possible furlough in order to help his wife prepare for the winter. Expresses sorrow for the new recruits and what they will experience in "this cruel war." States that his hopes are high that the war will soon be over. The letter is four pages with a fifth page written vertically over existing writing.

GLC03523.06.07

8 December 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from City Point, Virginia says the siege is progressing slowly. Informs that General William T. Sherman captured Savannah. Discusses his wife joining a sewing society to make clothing for the soldiers and he questions what type of clothes they will make. He misses home and tells his daughters, Eunice and Ally, to work very hard on their writing skills, and promises buy his son Charlie a horse when he returns from the war.

GLC03523.06.09

31 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes favorable news from Vicksburg that Grant has captured many prisoners and canons. He spent his birthday on picket while it rained all day and night. Updates his family on camp news and his activities. On a separate sheet dated Sunday evening, Wheeler writes about the upcoming brigade inspection of surplus tents and baggage. He expects to leave for Murfreesboro soon. Writes that pup tents will be used for the summer. Also includes news of freight boats leaving from Louisville to Nashville. Pages five to seven of this letter are a different size from the size given in the extent…

GLC07460.033

17 November 1862

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father mentioning that Union General William Rosencrans has taken over his division. Informs him of their march to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the skirmishes along the way. Mentions that a member of Company "D" accidentally shot himself in the foot. Complains he cannot get boots large enough and goes barefoot much of the time. Asks him to send a pair along with apple butter and butter. Envelope has image of Union flag.

GLC03523.03.11

25 June 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

The top edge of the letter has been cut resulting in the loss of some text. Wheeler writes that there has been some conflict amongst the officers of Co. C, primarily between Captain Fields and Lieut. Burst. As a result of this conflict, Colonel Dustin has been keeping a close eye on the officers and given them a warning. Relates that some fighting has been reported and it is said that Rosecrans has gathered 35,000 cavalry to attack the enemy. He writes however, that the truth of the event will be heard of in the newspapers. The company has received word that Morgan is seventy miles…

GLC07460.036

28 June 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the food they sent him and requests that they send him some emery paper (for filing his gun), tea, and pepper. Reports that Rosecrans has taken five or six hundred rebel prisoners to Nashville. Writes that rebels planted two underground shells on the railroad tracks which caused severe damage to the tracks but resulted in no casualties to either army. Discusses spending the fourth of July in Dixie land. He also reports that furloughs will only be granted with a recommendation from a doctor. Pages five and six differ in size from pages one to four.

GLC07460.037