Lot 173

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Description:

Stephen Mallory, Confederate States of America Secretary of the Navy, Superb Content Regarding the Battle of New Bern, John Taylor Wood, and "U.S.S. Underwriter"

1p cream lined stationery watermarked “Joynson 1863” and signed “S.R. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy” at bottom right, 8.125" x 10.125." Written from the Navy Department of the Confederate States of America in the capital of Richmond, Virginia on February 7, 1865 and addressed to “The President, Sir” Jefferson Davis. In fine to very fine condition with some expected wear including paper folds, edge toning, and loss to corners indicating letter was once affixed to other support.

The letter can be found in full below:

"Confederate States of America Navy Department Richmond Febuary [sic] 7th 1865

The President Sir, I deem it but just to the Navy and to Commander Wood, that I should invite your attention to his gallant exploit in command of the Naval portion of the expedition against Newbern [sic] in February last, -- when he cut the Federal Gunboat 'Underwriter' out from under the Enemy’s guns, and to recommend his promotion to the grade of Captain in the Provisional Navy, and of his second in command – Lieut Loyall, to that of Commander in recognition thereof –

I am respectfully your obt svt (signed) S. R. Mallory Secretary of the Navy.”

Stephen R. Mallory (1812-1873) served as Secretary of the Navy in the Confederate cabinet. Mallory was very familiar with the internal organization of the U.S. Navy, and modified the structure of the new Confederate Navy accordingly. One of Mallory’s innovations was the creation of two co-existent navies. The Regular Navy consisted of an honorary force of aging officers, while the Provisional Navy referenced in this letter attracted younger and more action-ready officers.

Secretary of the Navy Mallory recommended John Taylor Wood (1830-1904) for promotion following naval action at New Bern in February 1-3, 1864. Wood had served as a gunnery tactics instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis at the onset of the Civil War, resigning early because of Southern sympathies. He later joined the Confederate Navy, and commanded blockade running and raiding operations along the East Coast. In early February 1864, Confederate forces attempted to retake the city of New Bern, North Carolina that had been occupied by Union troops since March 1862. Commander Wood oversaw the capture of the "U.S.S. Underwriter," a 341-ton sidewheel steamer outfitted as a Union gunboat then anchored in the Neuse River. Despite this small victory, the Confederates were forced to retreat from the city a second time. Mallory nevertheless thought that Commander Wood as well as his second-in-command should be acknowledged for their efforts.

An incredible document relating to internal promotion written just three months before Confederate surrender!

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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November 11, 2020 10:30 AM EST
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