Pair of Letters From the U.S.S. Vixen

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

The U.S.S. Vixen was a Coastal Survey vessel impressed by the Navy to sound the channels in preparation for Flag Officer Samuel F. DuPont's attack on Port Royal, South Carolina. Lot of 2 letters written aboard the Vixen by Charles Bartelle, the ship's commander. Autograph Letter Signed "Chas.O. Bartelle", one page, octavo, December 10, 1861, Port Royal Bay, South Carolina to W.C. Jones, U.S. Coastal Survey, also aboard the Vixen. The letter reads in part: "...Please go on board the navy transport Parkersburg & pilot her & such other transports as may be sent with her into the St. Helena Sound by the main ship channel through which we came out yesterday...". a few stains and folds, else Fine condition...Plus; Autograph Letter Signed "C.O. Bartelle", one page, small octavo, ca. 1861, aboard the Vixen to Commodore S.F. Du Pont aboard the flagship Wabash. The letter reads in part: "I have but one engineer...We go to St. Helena at 3 AM. I want to get the men on board before we go. I regret to trouble you in this late hour on a matter of circumlocution, but it seems a very important matter to us that we should have the assistant before we go to sea...". Nearly VF condition.

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