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Elisha Whittlesey Letter Signed . ...
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Description
Elisha Whittlesey Letter Signed"Elisha Whittlesey." Two pages of a bifolium, 7.75" x 10", [Washington, D.C.]; July 24, 1862. Written less than six months before his death, addressed to Captain Andrew H. Foote. It reads in part:
"We have felt great anxiety for the speeding restoration of your limb. We had the pleasure to see your brother John A. in the city a few weeks since, and obtained from him more particulars of your injury than we had learned from the papers...The friends of Lt. S. Ledyard Phelps, commandant, including myself, are exceedingly anxious that he be promoted under the late act approved July 16, 1862, entitled 'An act to establish and equalize the grade of line officers of the United States Navy,' and if consistent with your feelings, and with a sense of duty, I will thank you for a paper showing your approval of his conduct in the discharge of the duties when with you and under your command..."
Elisha Whittlesey (1783-1863) served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio and was later appointed by President Zachary Taylor to be First Comptroller of the Treasury in 1849, a position that he held until 1857. He was later reappointed to the position by Lincoln in April 1861, and served until his death on January 7, 1863. Andrew Hull Foote was one of the first naval officers promoted to the new rank of rear admiral. He commanded the Mississippi River Squadron from 1861-1862, cooperating with Ulysses S. Grant against Forts Henry and Donelson on the Tennessee River. He was wounded at the latter battle (in the foot) and received the thanks of Congress for his service. He suddenly died in 1863 while on his way to command the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Seth Ledyard Phelps (1824-1885) was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy commanding the USS Conestoga when the Civil War erupted. He served as part of Grant's invasion of Tennessee and fought with distinction at the Battle of Fort Henry in 1862. He resigned from the navy in 1864. Following his resignation, he became an agent for the Pacific Mail Steamship company and, later, served as minister to Peru under President Arthur. From the Bret J. Formichi American Civil War Rarities Collection.
Condition: Flattened folds, with light edge foxing and toning. Overall very good.
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