October 1864

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

Photograph

Title: U.S.S. Tyler

Title from inscription on mount. The U.S.S. Tyler was an ironclad gunboat.

GLC06739.09

1864 May 20

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

Photograph

Title: Red River Rapids

Inscription on verso reads: "The dam at the falls in Red River, La. formd by barges amd logs anchored, leaving a channel for passage of our naval vessels, 14 in. all, the heaviest vessels in the NYS(?) Squadron. Nasho and Osage passing over the falls through the damn. The damn was constructed by Lt. Col. Bailey of the U.S.A." Constructed in order for David Porter's fleet to get up the Red River.

GLC06739.10

24 September 1863

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Document signed

Title: to Lewis West

Printed document signed by Welles. Orders that West is now detached from the USS "Ladona" and that he is to proceed to New York without delay. He is to report to Rear Admiral Paulding for passage to Charleston, South Carolina and to report to Rear Admiral Dahlgren for duty on an ironclad under his command. Stamp dated 28 September says West was paid 9 dollars in mileage fees. Countersigned by Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding. He noted that West reported for duty on 28 September. Commodore Cornelius Kinchilo Stribling had served in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War before the Civil War. Verso is…

GLC03836.56

7 July 1863

Rowan, Stephen Clegg, 1805-1890

Document signed

Title: to Lewis H. West

Document written in secretarial hand and signed by Captain Rowan of the USS "New Ironsides" to West as the commander of the USS "Ladona," ordering him to proceed at once to Port Royal, South Carolina to tow one of the ironsides to Charleston. Also signed by William Reynolds (signature is sloppy and spelling might be different) as "commander and senior officer," possibly of the squadron at Port Royal, who noted that the "Ladona" reported to Port Royal on 8 July. West was given command of the "Ladona" a few days previously when his captain was sent to take command of the "Weehawken" (see…

GLC03836.49

9 July 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Signed twice by West. Was given command of the "Ladona" 3 or 4 days previously, as Captain Calhoun was told to take command of the "Weehawken" very suddenly. Was happy for his captain's new opportunity, but sorry to see him leave the "Ladona." Says the crew gave Calhoun three cheers and that some even wept. Received orders the next day to go to Port Royal to tow an ironclad to Charleston. Head winds kept him from towing the ironclad and instead he delivered supplies to the blockading fleet. Says an attack on Charleston probably commenced today, but that this time it will be a siege. Says "…

GLC03836.51

19 July 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary West [incomplete]

Written by Lewis to his sister Mary. References receiving her and Weir's joint letter. Says he will "not be altogether satisfied" if Lee is allowed to escape across the Potomac. Wants to know who General Meade is. Hopes to add Charleston to the column of victories soon, but says they have expended a thousand troops and more will probably have to go. Says he will probably not see much action as a blockader. Says an English ship tried to run the blockade without realizing Morris Island was in Union hands and received a devastating fire, sinking the ship. Says he has heard of "a grand copperhead…

GLC03836.53

7 October 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says he is on board the USS "New Ironsides." Says it will probably not be permanent as she has a full compliement of officers. Says a small vessel made an attempt to destroy their ship with a torpedo, but they only succeeded in destroying his own vessel. Says "He might as well have tried to blow up the rock of Gibraltar." One officer was wounded, though. On the night of 5 October 1863, David, commanded by Lieutenant William T. Glassell, CSN, slipped down Charleston Harbor to attack the casemated ironclad steamer USS New Ironsides. The torpedo boat approached undetected until she was within 50…

GLC03836.58

8 October 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Says he sailed on the USS "Paul Jones" and arrived in Charleston 4 days later. Was then sent to the USS "New Ironsides" for duty. Was about to be reassigned to a monitor when an unexpected torpedo attack from the torpedo boat CSS "David" wounded an officer on the ship. He describes the attack in detail. West spoke to a captured seamen, probably James Sullivan, from the "David" who said "she was a small steamer on the same principle as Winan's cigar ship, with an outrigger to her bows carrying the torpedo. She was so constructed as to be almost entirely under water, excepting a very low…

GLC03836.59

December 7, 1863

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary West

References receiving her latest letter. Says "For the first time since I have been in the service I feel thoroughly discontented. I fancied in coming here I was at length going to see active service but find just the reverse." Says they witnessed the sinking of the USS "Weehawken" in bad weather. Says four engineering officers and 29 men, half the crew, died in the sinking. No cause is known yet because of poor communication during the storms. Heard about General Braxton Bragg's defeat in the Confederate newspapers. Says the Union ships fired their guns in a salute. A court of inquiry found…

GLC03836.60

2 March 1864

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Moore

References receiving her latest letter. Speaks cynically about the situation off the South Carolina coast, saying "It really seems as if there was a fatality about all our operations. here, every thing being put off too long. Everybody knows now that Charleston could have been easily taken after the fall of Port Royal yet no move was made to do so until 16 months afterwards." Says there were many lost opportunities. Says he kept Christmas and New Years by having elaborate dinners, which he was not able to enjoy because of poor health. Makes reference to the sinking of the USS "Housatonic"…

GLC03836.61

28 April 1864

Rowan, Stephen Clegg, 1805-1890

Document signed

Title: to Lewis H. West

Written in secretarial hand and signed by Commodore Rowan as commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Orders Acting Master West from the USS "New Ironsides" to the USS "Fernandina." Tells him to report to Commander William Reynolds, the Commander of the Naval Depot at Port Royal, South Carolina, to arrange passage to St. Catherine's, Florida where the "Fernandina" is stationed. Docket signed by three officers. Top signature is illegible, but the other two are by Rowan and Reynolds. Written while aboard the USS "New Ironsides"

GLC03836.66

5 September 1864

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Has been busy surveying St. Catherine's bar, which has been little explored. Describes what he discovered while surveying. Says he discovered a channel into the harbor, so he can quickly secure his ship now. Praises Farragut's actions at Mobile saying "The old sea dog has again shown that 'iron hearts in wooden ships' are as good as iron-clads." Says he has little to do, but is happy with his smart crew. Says he has improved the discipline and management of the ship. Says they land at a plantation to get water and says "the old darkies [are] flourishing." Lists some books he wants. Includes…

GLC03836.72

13 March 1862

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Sent 340 dollars in gold to his father's address. Says the USS "Flag" arrived with news that the Confederates fled St. John's on the approach of gunboats. Mentions the destruction of the USS "Cumberland" and "Congress," by the CSS "Merrimack." Says everyone predicted the result and that it was a topic of discussion for the last 6 months. Says the Secretary of the Navy or the flag officer of their fleet are "drivelling idiots." Says the arrival of the USS "Monitor" was providential. Reports that the army is at last on the move.

GLC03836.32

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

29 July 1864

Craven, Tunis Augustus Macdonough, 1813 -1864

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to William W. Smith

Faron, the Chief Engineer of the United States Navy requests items needed to repair the USS Tecumseh. Signed approved by Tunis as Captain and William Smith as Commodore Commanding. Requires, "120 spikes with nuts, of iron, as per sketch, 40 spikes of iron, for deck plating as per sketch, and 2 machinists to secure plates to deck. J. Whittaker, Chief Enginneer U. S. Navy signs certifying that the signatures are genuine, and "that this was the last requisition signed by Chief Engineer Faron before the Tecumseh was blown up Aug 5 /64 Mobile Bay while passing Fort Morgan."

GLC09012

12 April 1863

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Mentions Mr. Woodman and a provostship. Writes "Charleston is to be taken on the field of battle - by beating their armies," a reference to the unsuccessful ironclad attack on Fort Sumter 7 April 1863 undertaken by Union admiral Samuel F. DuPont.

GLC02095.11

1862-1863

Header Record

Title: [Collection of 4 documents pertaining to Confederate ironclads] Decimalized

GLC08155

January 27, 1865

Tyler & Allegre, fl. 1862-1865

Newspaper

Title: The daily richmond enquirer. [Vol. 37, no. 195 (January 27, 1865)]

This item is two internal pages from the newspaper; no front page. Article on Hemma Micco, aka John Jumper, a Seminole Indian chief who became a colonel in the Confederate Army. Notes from the Virginia state legislature session and the Confederate Congress. List of casualties from the ironclad "Virginia." Update on the Army of the Tennessee. Report on the anger of Virginia Masons; over the burning of a lodge. Report of the return of Admiral David Porter's fleet to Hampton Roads from attacking Fort Fisher, North Carolina. News tidbit about a free black man who died in an alley, probably of "…

GLC05959.80.04

3 September 1863

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 17, no. (September 3, 1863)]

Detailed account of the capture of gun-boats on the Rappahannock, along with daily reports on the progress of that situation, The brutality of Federal Commander Major-General Schenk, including acts within his department and the brutal treatment of Rebel Prisoners, Report on the Siege of Charleston, Telegraphic dispatches from Charleston, reporting heavy enemy fire, batteries firing on one another and the monitors firing on Sumter, the Siege of Charleston.

GLC05959.72.037

31 March 1864

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 18, no. 28 (March 31, 1864)]

Draft of Militia Forces in Virginia, The Capture of Richmond, Confederate Raiders Alabama and Florida and the British Parliament.

GLC05959.72.073

8 April 1864

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 18, no. 35 (April 8, 1864)]

CSS Alabama in the Indian Ocean, Yankee Recruiting in Ireland, Patriotic citizens funding the purchase of a mansion in Richmond to present to General Lee, Governor Brown of Georgia cited New York as Evidence of the failing of the Confederacy.

GLC05959.72.079

11 April 1864

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 18, no. 36 (April 11, 1864)]

Report from Rio that CSS Alabama at Cape Good Hope, 30 crew sick with yellow fever.

GLC05959.72.080

13 April 1864

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 18, no. 38 (April 13, 1864)]

War in Indian Territory, Cherokee Troops, Old Confederate Currency and the new 6% bonds, General Banks on the Mississippi River, Capture and Burning of the Texan Star by the CSS Alabama, Effects of the War in the North - growing desire for Peace.

GLC05959.72.082

19 April 1864

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 18, no. 43 (April 19, 1864)]

Arrest of a Union Spy, Gold up to $179 in New York, Grant's losses at Missionary Ridge - 600 Killed, 4,000 wounded, 700 missing, An ironclad runs the blockade, Poor whites in the North, how they live Battles in Florida, How the freed men are treated by their new masters.

GLC05959.72.087

29 April 1864

William Lloyd and Co. (Richmond, Va.), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Daily Richmond examiner. [Vol. 18, no. 52 (April 29, 1864)]

The coming campaign to capture Richmond - The situation and preparations, Capture of an ironclad, The Fort Pillow Affair - Lincoln has promised retaliation by putting to death our men at his hands - Tales of the most horrible massacre and butchery, Appointments by Lincoln.

GLC05959.72.095