July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
Union sailor's 3pp. 4to., letter written in ink by Albert Philips, U. S. S. Iroquois, Mississippi River, April 5, 1862 concerning his chagrin after the Confederate privateer Sumter slipped from the grip, in part: "…we left New York [&] joined the St. Lawrence blockading Savannah…we were then sent to cruise after the Sumpter…we fell in with the Powahatan…she had been chasing the Sumpter but gave up…as they were short of coal…we heard that the Sumpter was at Martinique coaling…as soon as we entered the harbor we hoisted the Danish flag…until we got within gunshot of the Sumpter. We then hoist our own flag much to the consternation of the crew of the Sumpter…we blockaded her for 9 days…through the mismanagement of our captain we lost our prize…I get kind of wild when I think about her…our captain was called home and another one sent…we like him very well…we now belong to Commodore Farragett's Expedition about to make the attack on New Orleans. There are 20 mortar boats, 15 gun boats, 6 sloops and 2 steam frigates carrying in all about 370 guns. The Kennebank went up the river…the rebels fired at her…they have got a chain across the river…under the fort. Fort Jackson mounts 40 guns and fort Philip 20 as near as the steamer could find out. We are going up the river today to draw the fire of the forts so as…[to] be able to place our mortar boats…for using their 13 in. mortars…yesterday…one of the Richmond…[told me] that my mother was dead. I am very sorry to hear it…a Rebel steamer has just been reported coming down the river…the fleet expects to attack the Forts about a week from now…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG
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