Autographs
1864 "Gideon Welles" Letter Signed as Secretary of the Navy Urging "the necessity of measures to obtain Seamen" to "John P. Hale, Chairman Naval Committee, U.S. Senate"
GIDEON WELLES (1802-1878). Civil War Secretary of the Navy under President Abraham Lincoln serving from 1861-1869; Welles worked to expand and modernize the U.S. Navy to meet the demands of the war, including the construction of new ships, acquisition of naval vessels, improvements to existing naval infrastructure, and much more.
February 9, 1864 Civil War-date, Highly Important Content Manuscript Letter Signed, "Gideon Welles" as Secretary of the Navy, 4 full folio pages, measuring 13" x 8", from the Navy Department, Choice Extremely Fine. This Seaman recruiting content Letter is sent to "John P. Hale, Chairman of the Naval Committee, U.S. Senate" (Remarkably, Hale's daughter Lucy was the girlfriend of Lincoln's Assassin John Wilkes Booth, who had a photo of Lucy Hale with him when he was shot and killed.)
This superb content, extensive, 4-page Letter, is urging the necessity of measures to obtain more Seamen for the Union Navy, during the Civil War. Here, noting that: "there are now twelve of our naval vessels ready for sea, but with no seamen to man them" and pointing out that the Army offers large bounties for enlisting, while the Navy's only inducement is the "remote and contingent" prospect of Prize Money, and points out that many sailors are enticed by Army bounties to leave the Navy and become soldiers. This historic Letter reads, in part:
"... our public armed vessels are detained for want of crews, and ships on duty are becoming weakened by the daily expiration of the terms of enlistments.
Under the recent calls for three hundred thousand and five hundred thousand men to fill up the armies, no provision whatever is made to supply the naval branch of the public service with a single seaman. On the contrary, allurements are held out by high bounties to induce sailors to abandon their profession and enter the Army. No bounty is paid to those who enlist in the Navy, but sailors are enticed by bounties amounting to six and seven hundred dollars to abandon their vocation and become soldiers... Could we have ten thousand seamen transferred from the Army, the Navy would be placed at once in a state of complete efficiency... There are now twelve of our naval vessels ready for sea, but with no seamen to man them. The difficulty is increasing... We cannot recruit seamen so fast as the terms of those in service expire. Of the six hundred thousand or eight hundred thousand which the country is called upon to furnish for war purposes, it is believed that ten thousand might be transferred to the naval service with great advantage to the country...", plus much more exceptional content!
A choice Civil War Naval recruiting content Civil War date Letter Signed, "Gideon Welles" measuring a large 2.25" long written in bold brown ink on extremely clean light blue lined wove period paper, from a.k.a. "Father Neptune".
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF
AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II
Gideon Welles was born on July 1, 1802, in Glastonbury, Connecticut, was an experienced journalist and politician before taking on the role of Secretary of the Navy. As Secretary of the Navy, he faced significant challenges during the Civil War, as the conflict placed a high demand on naval resources.
Some key aspects of Gideon Welles's service as Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War include:
Naval Expansion: Welles worked to expand and modernize the U.S. Navy to meet the demands of the war. This included the construction of new ships, acquisition of naval vessels, and improvements to existing naval infrastructure.
Blockade Strategy: One of the primary naval strategies during the Civil War was the Union blockade of Southern ports. Welles played a crucial role in implementing and maintaining this blockade, which was designed to restrict Confederate access to crucial supplies and cripple their economy.
Ironclad Ships: The development and deployment of ironclad warships, such as the USS Monitor and the USS Merrimack (renamed the CSS Virginia), marked a significant advancement in naval technology. Welles supported the construction and use of these innovative vessels.
Naval Engagements: Welles oversaw naval engagements, including key battles such as the Battle of Hampton Roads, where the USS Monitor famously faced off against the CSS Virginia.
Logistics and Personnel: Welles dealt with logistical challenges, such as supplying the navy and managing personnel. The construction and maintenance of naval bases and shipyards were critical components of his responsibilities.
After the Civil War, Gideon Welles continued to serve as Secretary of the Navy during the early years of Reconstruction. He left office in 1869 and later wrote a comprehensive account of his experiences during the war in his memoir, "Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson."
Welles passed away on February 11, 1878, leaving behind a legacy of service during a pivotal period in American history.