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THBAdmiral D.G. Farragut ALS to Captain Henry Wise, Written Shortly After Victory at Mobile Bay, October 1, 1864
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About Auction
LiveJun 13, 2014 - Jun 14, 2014
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
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- Lot Description
ALS, 3pp, 5 x 8 in., on "U.S. Flagship, West Gulf Squadron" letterhead, from USS Hartford, Oct. 1, 1864, Mobile Bay. Rear Admiral David G. Farragut to Capt. Henry A. Wise, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. In the letter Farragut thanks Wise for his letter along with letters from Mrs. Wise and Edward Everett, and Everett's remarks on Farragut's victory at Mobile Bay. He notes: "It is to such as Mr. Everett, that an officer looks for his ultimate reward,it is those who hand us down to posterity for what we are worth, & that worth is measured by our services to the country." Later he expresses his wish that the entire navy could have been there to share in the victory.
Edward Everett (1794-1865) is best known as the orator that preceded Lincoln at the dedication ceremony at Gettysburg. But Everett was also a pastor (Unitarian), educator (Harvard), politician (House of Representatives, Senate, Gov. of Massachusetts), diplomat (ambassador to England, Secretary of State) as well as orator. His second daughter, Charlotte (1825-1879) married Henry Augustus Wise (1819-1869), the recipient of this missive. Wise began his naval career as a mid-shipman in 1834 and served in the Mexican War. When the Civil War broke out he had to chose between his home state of Virginia and the Federal Navy in which he was serving. He chose to stay with the Union. He was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography in 1864, and held the position until he resigned in 1868.
After gaining control of the Mississippi River in July 1863, Rear Admiral Farragut turned his attention to Mobile, the last major Gulf port of the Confederacy. The bay was heavily mined, with tethered charges known at the time as "torpedoes." Farragut ordered his fleet to charge the bay, but when the USS Tecumseh sank as the result of one of these "torpedoes," the other ships pulled back. Farragut was lashed high in his flagship's rigging, and upon learning the reason for the hesitation, reportedly shouted "Damn the torpedoes. Four bells. Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed." The quote is usually rendered: "Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead." (Much more generic and more widely applicable!)Wrinkled from moisture, but ink not damaged (the paper was on a ship for some period!). Toning along fold that may be from later adhesive.Condition
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