1862-1865

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Header Record

Title: Papers from Battle of Roanoke Island to end of war re: torpedoes [decimalized .01-.39]

This collection is composed of 39 items, including correspondence, general orders, legal documents, and a handwritten manual of arms and drilling. These items are largely associated with R.T. Renshaw, a Union sailor from North Carolina, and document many of the activities of the U.S. Navy in the area off the North Carolina coast, including Albemarle Sound, the Neuse River, Pamlico Sound, and Hatteras Inlet. Renshaw himself authored only a handful of the items gathered here, including two letters (one incomplete) home to his wife Ella (#25 and #38), and a miniature manual of arms (#37). The…

GLC02254

23 April 1864

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Letter signed

Title: to John A.J. Brooks

Writes to Brooks with orders to keep all transports of provisions "from passing the 'valley City' except by the Local Treasury Agents permit."

GLC02254.17

2 March 1865

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ella Godley Renshaw

Writes to his wife from aboard the U.S.S. Massasoit. Expresses confusion over Ella not having received letters from him -- "I write...every two or three days, and what becomes of my letters gracious only knows." Mentions some money he has sent her recently in installments of thirty and fifty dollars. Tells her that "it is not unlikely that my Boat the Massasoit will be sent to the Sounds of North Carolina" and complains that "the Admiral keeps putting me off all the time, saying that I will get to Newbern soon and not to figgit so." Mentions that he has been busy as a member of a court…

GLC02254.25

22 July 1865

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Document signed

Title: [Agreement allowing the U.S. Navy use of Avery's schooner]

Documents a transaction between William N. Avery, master of the schooner Fairland, and Richard T. Renshaw as a representative of the United States Navy. Renshaw has come to Richmond in order to "charter and take" Avery's schooner "to use or not to use as the U.S. Navy Department may please during the term of ten days." Avery must agree to keep his schooner "tight, staunch, shiny, and well and sufficiently manned, victualled, tackled and apparelled." All management of the vessel, which is to be used as a merchant schooner, is given over to the control of the U.S. Navy. Avery will be paid…

GLC02254.28

15 August 1865

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Document signed

Title: [Agreement allowing the U.S. Navy use of Tourgee's schooner]

Documents a transaction between Daniel G. Tourgee, master of the schooner Garrison, and Richard T. Renshaw as a representative of the United States Navy. Renshaw has come to Richmond in order to charter Tourgee's schooner for ten days or more. Tourgee will be paid thirty-seven dollars per day for the length of the vessel's service. Three red, cancelled one dollar internal revenue documentary tax stamps along left border of first page.

GLC02254.29

1861-1865

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ella Godley Renshaw [incomplete]

The letter is incomplete, beginning on the fifth page of Renshaw's original letter to his wife. He asks after his wife and "baby child" and hopes to return home in three months, for "there is not an hour through the days that I am not wondering what you and Maria are doing." Worries repeatedly about the health of both wife and daughter and reminds Ella that "when you are in need of me I will come to you at all hazards."

GLC02254.38

circa 1872-1875

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Manuscript document

Title: [Instructions for directing letters]

Renshaw gives his address aboard the U.S.S. Worcester in care of the Consul General in Havana, via the US Secretary of State. He adds, "you do not want to put any stamps on your letter."

GLC02254.39

8 November 1862

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Letter signed

Title: to Henry K. Davenport

Reports "a most successful trial of one of the Machines for blowing up vessels constructed by Second Assistant Engineer John L. Lay." Describes the trial, during which a "Sch'r of sixty tons floated over catching the wires and blowing her to atoms." Mentions that three other explosives are being built and promises to send drawings to Davenport. Lay invented the spar torpedo, which was used by the United States Navy to sink the C.S.S. Albemarle in 1864. He later invented the Lay dirigible submarine torpedo. Davenport was senior officer of the Union Navy in North Carolina Sounds.

GLC02254.05

no date

Renshaw, Richard T., 1822-1879

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Manual of marching maneuvers]

Hand bound notebook containing detailed instructions for marching maneuvers. In one half of the notebook, Renshaw has written out instructions for the loading, firing and inspection of arms. When flipped over, the other half of the notebook contains instructions for various maneuvers -- for example, sections titled "To Break into Column of Platoons from a halt" and "To change directions towards Guide." This side of the booklet also includes two unlabeled lists of men's names. Written in pen and pencil and sewn in the middle with black thread.

GLC02254.37