September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
FAIRFAX, Donald McNeil (1818-1894) The son of George William Fairfax, and Isabella McNeill, grandson of Ferdinando Fairfax, and great-grandson of Bryan Fairfax, he was born at the family seat of Mount Eagle, Virginia. Fairfax entered the Navy as a midshipman on August 12, 1837. He was the only member of the family who took the Union side in the American Civil War. As executive officer in San Jacinto, he was a participant in the 1861 "Trent Affair," a diplomatic controversy involving the U.S. Navy's removal of Confederate commissioners from the British mail-steamer, RMS Trent. On November 8, 1861, Fairfax boarded Trent to remove Confederate commissioners James M. Mason and John Slidell, after the ship had been stopped by his captain, Charles Wilkes. He escorted Mason by the collar, to the cutter, and with two officers took hold of Slidell from the main cabin. Fairfax's distinguished service in the Civil War included command of the Cayuga, Nantucket and Montauk. Fairfax was later promoted to flag rank, retiring as a Rear Admiral on September 30, 1881. War-date Union Admiral Autograph Letter Signed by Donal McNeil Fairfax, 1pp. quarto, Naval Academy, April 23, 1864, addressed to Surgeon Oberly and reads “...Please state in writing whether in your opinion Lt. Rowland during the time he has been under your treatment has led you to suppose that he has been affected by drinking strong or intoxicating liquours, and also whether you have thought Lt. Rowland intemperate....” Fine condition.
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