2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
A truly rare Confederate navy document for the recently captured steamer CSS Water Witch. 1p. oblong 12mo., partly-printed [Savannah Harbor, Ga.], Dec. 1, 1864 being a transfer form assigning Landsman Augustus L. Bradley as one of the Water Witch's first Confederate crew members. Bradley was transferred from the ironclad CSS Georgia. It was members from the Georgia's crew who rowed, with muffled oars, towards the USS Water Witch on the night of June 3, 1864, and their pilot was a black man named Moses Dallas who was reportedly killed before reaching the Northern navy vessel. After sharp and bloody fight the steamer was secured by the Confederate raiders, and removed to Savannah's inner harbor. Her captors kept her former name, and enrolled her into Confederate naval service as the CSS Water Witch. In less than three weeks from the date of this document Savannah fell, and she was burned to prevent her recapture. Signed on the verso by Lieut. Washington Gwathmey who, while serving in the US navy, carried orders from his superior north refusing to reinforce Fort Pickens, Georgia in April 1861. A very rare Confederate document, since Confederate naval documents are almost nonexistent in the marketplace. Very minor toning, else very good
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