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Autographed Letter Signed Stephen Decatur, 1815

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Autographs

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Autographed Letter Signed Stephen Decatur Written While Aboard His Flagship The USS President January 19, 1815

STEPHEN DECATUR, American Naval Officer notable for his heroism in the Barbary Wars and in the War of 1812.
Autographed Letter Signed, "S. Decatur", dated "Jan. 19th" (1815) written while aboard his flagship, "The USS President" (the 44-gun Sailing Frigate), measuring 8.5" x 9", tipped to card, Very Fine. This letter reads in full:
"Dear Bullus - I wrote you by last mail informing you that a fight might take place. The belligerent aspect has evaporated, no fight - the enclosed is a correct tho abridged account; you must not say it comes from me. - Your obt svt & friend S. Decatur - P. S. my compliments to Mrs. B."
On the night of January 14, 1815, Decatur tried to run the "President" to open water. Everything went wrong. First, a piloting error ran the "President" aground on the bar at Sandy Hook, and she suffered extensive damage. Daybreak revealed three enemy warships only 2 miles ahead of him. Outnumbered and hurt even before trading fire, Decatur ran, but her damage made the "President" easy prey. Decatur hauled down his flag sometime around midnight. This historic letter is written in bold brown ink, with a vertical fold and the letter is mounted to a card.



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