1864

Fowx, Egbert Guy, 1821-1891

Photograph

Title: [Monitor Sangus, gunboat Saginaw in deep James River, VA]

One photograph of a gunboat known as the Monitor Sangus dated 1864. Taken by Egbert Guy Fowx. The title is taken from the inscription on the recto. The image shows "Saginaw," a Federal steamer, and "Sangus," a monitor [ironclad], on the James River. The hull of "Sangus" appears to be painted white, and the canvas has been strung up over the deck to provide shelter from the elements. Army camp tents can be seen in the background along the opposite bank of the river.

GLC05111.01.0077

1864

French & Co.

Photograph

Title: [Ironclad USS Louisville outside Vicksburg]

A print of a photograph of the USS Louisville, a City-class ironclad gunboat laid down in September of 1861. Many sailors and/or officers can be see standing on the deck, the Louisville had a crew of 251. Inscription on recto: "Louisville iron clad gun boat 12 guns. Mississippi Squadron, 1864." The Louisville actually had at 14 guns at any point during the war, including all of 1864. Vicksburg looms in the backgorund. Note this image has been mounted over an oval photograph of a soldier.

GLC05111.01.0094

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Commodore J. L. Worden [split stereocard]

Image of J. L. Worden seated, looking to his left of the camera. Inscription on image: "J. L. Worden." Inscription on verso: "Commodore J. L. Worden. He was in command of the 'Monitor' when she whipped the 'Merrimac,'" and "1861--Photographic History--1865 . . . ." Numeric notation on verso: "4634."

GLC05111.01.1240

1856-1859

Jackson, George E.G., 1856-1859

Manuscript document

Title: [ship's log] vol 1

The HMS Antelope, on anti-slavery duty off the West African coast. Two ship's logs,"From 3rd Dec 1856 till 20th March 1859, Commanded by Lieutenant John Wm. Pike, Kept by Geo. E. G. Jackson, Master's Asst." Text and hand-drawn pencil sketches, diagrams of the ships, and watercolor representations of islands visited in enforcing the British prohibition against slavery. "29th day of June 1857… Anchored off Whyda … 3:45 Stopped & came too…a schooner - under American colors - sent on board to examine Schooner - Found her the late "Montague" of New Orleans but now claiming no nationalty fully…

GLC09275.01

1856-1859

Jackson, George E.G., 1856-1859

Manuscript document

Title: [ship's log] vol 2

The HMS Antelope, on anti-slavery duty off the West African coast. Two ship's logs,"From 3rd Dec 1856 till 20th March 1859, Commanded by Lieutenant John Wm. Pike, Kept by Geo. E. G. Jackson, Master's Asst." Text and hand-drawn pencil sketches, diagrams of the ships, and watercolor representations of islands visited in enforcing the British prohibition against slavery. "29th day of June 1857… Anchored off Whyda … 3:45 Stopped & came too…a schooner - under American colors - sent on board to examine Schooner - Found her the late "Montague" of New Orleans but now claiming no nationalty fully…

GLC09275.02

10 March 1862

Cunningham, John, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written from Camp Butler. Eyewitness account of the destruction wrought by the CSS "Merrimac" on 8 March 1862 and the battle between the USS "Monitor" & CSS "Merrimac" the next day. Includes a separate sketch (10.3 x 12.6 cm.) of profile views of the "Monitor" and "Merrimac" on one side of the sheet and 3/4ths view of the "Monitor" on the other. Addressed to "Dear Friend." Letter on blue sheets of paper, with ink map of Hampton Roads on page one. Very detailed account of the battle. Stains on many of the pages. Signed with spelling "Cuningham." The Battle of Hampton Roads was the…

GLC06318

8 June 1864-17 November 1864

Shankland, William F., fl. 1862-1866

Manuscript

Title: Log of W. F. Shankland commanding the U.S. Monitor Winnebago

There are two log books. This file was dated using the first book covering Acting Master Shankland's time on the USS "Winnebago," while the second book covers his time as a lieutenant on the USS "Guard" from March 1866 to May 1866. The USS "Winnebago" log: Note written on a preliminary leaf says that information on engagements can found on pages 9, 39, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 53, 57, 58, and 75. Says he reported for duty on the "Chickasaw" on 16 May 1864, but was given command of the "Winnebago" on the Red River on 24 May 1864 instead. Took command on 8 June 1864 and reported 28 sick men.…

GLC06368

1861-1862 ca.

Photograph

Title: Tintype of a private holding a pistol

Half length, seated view. Chevrons and buttons painted gold. CASE: Union case showing Federal monitor and a ship. (See Clifford & Michele Krainik, Union Cases, #366.) Case thickness 2.1 cm.

GLC05131.31

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: Ironside "Merrimack" at anchor

Modern ink inscription on recto "Merrimack." Modern ink inscription on verso "23." Photographers imprint on verso: "McPherson & Oliver Photographers."

GLC05111.02.1302

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Rebel Ram Stonewall

Bell & Bro., Washington, D.C., publisher. Large iron clad ship with sailing masts and funnel for steam engine. Obviously converted from older wooden, sailing ship. Prow of ship extended to ram other vessels.

GLC05137.187

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: The Onondaga, on the James River

E. & H. T. Anthony & Co., publisher. Negative by Brady & Co., Washington. Caption: "The Double-Turretted Monitor Onaodaga, on the James River." A group of men in a row boat ready to come ashore.

GLC05137.188

circa 1861-1865

Worden, John L., 1818-1897

Photograph

Title: In greatcoat, standing full-length portrait with left arm on column

Image possibly taken while as recruiting officer for Navy in New York. Graphite inscription on verso "Lieut. Worden." Photographers imprint on verso: "R. A. Lewis, 152 Chatham Street, New-York."

GLC05111.02.1388

circa 1861-1865

Worden, John L., 1818-1897

Photograph

Title: In civilian suit, 1/2 length portrait with hands in lap

Thin blue border on recto. Image possibly taken while as Navy recruiting officer in New York. Graphite inscription on verso "Lieut. Worden of the 'Monitor'" "15." Photographers imprint on verso: "Charles D. Fredricks & Co., 'Specialite,' 587 Broadway, New York."

GLC05111.02.1389

11 April 1862

Meigs, Montgomery C. (Montgomery Cunningham), 1816-1892

Letter signed

Title: to C. L. Pascal

Written by Brigadier General Meigs as Quartermaster General of the Army. References Pascal's letter of 6 April 1862 that enclosed illustrations of his plan for sinking the CSS "Merrimac." Says they have been referred to the Secretary of the Navy. Written on letterhead of the Quartermaster General's Office. File includes a small (5.1 x 4.1 cm.) engraving of Meigs's head.

GLC07363

9 February 1865

Walton, James M., fl. 1865

Manuscript document

Title: [Orders for U.S. Colored Troops in the campaign on Cole, Battery, and James Islands]

Orders indicating the role of Union African American troops during the campaign leading to the 18 February 1865 Union occupation of Charleston, South Carolina. Issued by the command of Colonel A. S. Hartwell. Walton, Assistant Adjutant General at Folly Island, South Carolina, instructs Colonel George William Baird, commanding Pennsylvania's 32nd United States Colored Troops to meet South Carolina's 33rd United States Colored Troops, under command of Captain Danilson, at Cole Island, South Carolina. States that Baird is to assume command of the entire force. Selected men from the 32nd, 33rd,…

GLC06379

December 14, 1863

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. O. W. Lebert

General Beauregard, Commander of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, writes to Mrs. Lebert in Alabama, on "the 158th day of the siege" (referring to military activity in Charleston Harbor). He relates that he transmits photographs (not included), and hopes to receive photographs of Mrs. Lebert and Octavia in return. Refers to Captain B., who regrets not being able to return to Mobile, Alabama. He reports that the ship Monitor sank in the Charleston Harbor during a gale two nights before. Referring to the Monitor as the "Weehawken," he writes "Only 28 yankee liver men lost…

GLC06395

18 September 1863

Dupont, Samuel F., 1803-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. Jackson

Written by Admiral DuPont to E. Jackson. Thanks Jackson for his letter of 15 September. Letter concerns his removal from office. Believes it was done because of his statement that a naval attack could not take Charleston. Says he has no anger toward the government because they need to be able to select their agents as they desire, but is angry that they give false reasons for his removal. Says his side of the story has not been made public. Says "My offense I presume consisted in saying that 'a purely naval attack' was not the way to take Charleston and that Monitors could not do it, and…

GLC06453

8 January 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Letter signed

Title: to editor of the New York World

Wants to correct an "erroneous impression" from an article in his newspaper on his superintending of construction of an ironclad ship (the USS "Monitor") on behalf of Bushnell & Co. Says he is in fact making the ship "to my own plans approved by a special board of naval officers" under an agreement with the Secretary of the Navy dated 4 October 1861. Says he has been joined by "a few loyal and spirited citizens" who think "an impregnable floating battery will prove an important auxiliary at the present crisis."

GLC06639

2 June 1863

Otto, William T., 1816-1905

Document signed

Title: [Patent for Lewis Tees' improvement in iron-clad vessels]

Signed by Otto as Acting Secretary of the Interior. Countersigned by David P. Holloway as Commissioner of Patents. Tees' written description of his improvement is signed by John Clouds and J. R. Deacon as witnesses. Includes a one-page diagram of Tees' invention, signed by Tees' lawyer Henry Howson, and by Charles E. Foster and Charles Howson as witnesses. Includes a seal and dark green ribbon.

GLC06476

1863-1864

Taft, J. W., fl. 1863-1864

Header Record

Title: Large albumen photographs taken by Memphis photographer Taft

Photographs taken from life by Memphis photographer Taft, beginning with Admiral Porter's flagship U.S.S. Blackhawk, also the U.S.S. Tyler, U.S. Navy gun Bat Brown, the Memphis & St. Louis packet boat "The City of Alton," the U.S.S. Fawn, the U.S. Ironclad gun bat "Carondelet" near Vicksburg, U.S. Ironclad "Indianola, and others. Most photographs are oval images of naval vessels.

GLC06739

January 22, 1863

Faxon, William, 1822-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. A. Harwood

Written by Chief Clerk Faxon to Commodore Harwood. Tells Harwood that the "'Monitor' was launched January 30th, 1862 - Contest with the 'Merrimac,' March 9th - Foundered on the night of 30th Decr. 1862." (The "Merrimac" sank on 11 May 1862; the "Monitor" was lost at sea on 30 December of that year.) Says Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and his wife will be pleased (he does not specify why) "for there is no vessel he speaks of with such affection as the 'Monitor.'" Says he received a telegram from Admiral Lee that one of the ironclads [possibly the Weehauken] is now entering Hampton Roads…

GLC05331.03

February 12, 1862

Van Brunt, G.J., 1801-?

Letter signed

Title: [Report on condition of the CSS "Merrimac"]

Reports that a William West, a rigger "who made his escape from Norfolk," said the "Merrimac" was still in dock on 10 February. Claims the ship draws 17 feet of water, has 10 gun (8 of which are 9 inch smooth bore broadside gun and 2 heavy rifled guns). Carries 200 men and 12 lieutenants. Expects the ship to draw 21 feet with everything on board. Says the "Pilot house is in shape like a sugar loaf, and of cast-iron 5 inches thick and about 4 feet in diameter. She will be ready to come out of dock next Monday. Her engines are also working well. Captain Van Brunt commanded the USS "Minnesota…

GLC05331.01

20 February 1862

Van Brunt, G.J., 1801-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. A. Harwood

Marked "Private." Sends a report on the CSS "Merrimac" to Captain Harwood, the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, based on his examination of William West, a rigger who had been aboard the vessel and later "made his escape from Norfolk." Van Brunt says that "there have been so many reports about the 'Merrimac' & her movements, which have been false - I send you this under the belief that it is correct. We may expect her [the Merrimac] down at any moment & if she comes it will be my endeavour to prevent her return - I can get this ship [the Minnesota] under weigh night or day in 10…

GLC05331.02

17 July 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unknown recipient (name is illegible), apparently a journalist. Wants the recipient to reply to the enclosed letter (not included) and tell his friends that he has no manual to spare. Says to tell that "You can say that I will furnish you with materials for an article on the great revolution in naval warfare resulting from the Monitors and the inevitable downfall of England as a great naval power which means: as a great power at all!" due to his invention.

GLC05294

January 19, 1865

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Pamphlet

Title: Letter from the Secretary of the Navy...

Title continues, "...in Answer to a Resolution of the House of the 20th instant, transmitting report of Chief Engineer King, as also May, in relation to iron-clad vessels and dock-yards of Europe." Report submitted by Secretary of the Navy Welles to the House of Representatives. Report is the correspondence from Chief Engineer J.W. King. Contains five foldout maps between pages 26-27 of Keyham and Devonport, two of Cherbourg, Portsmouth, and the extension of Chatham Yard. Dated from the date it was ordered to be printed. Appears to have been pulled from a larger book.

GLC00267.362