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Collection Reference Number GLC08470.02
From Archive Folder Unassociated Civil War Documents 1864 
Title B.F. Blair to his sister about surviving a sea battle
Date 30 December 1864
Author Blair, B. F. (fl. 1864)  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Written on board the U.S.S. Mohican, possibly near Wilmington, North Carolina. Discusses the Mohican's participation with Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter’s North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at the close of the Battle of Fort Fisher (24 and 25 December). Recalls being the closest wooden vessel to the Fort, and exclaims that survival of the vessel and crew is a miracle. Writes "I fell quite thankfull to the Rebs for not taking better aim..." Possibly referring to General Benjamin Franklin Butler, writes "if Old Butler had had the Spark of a Louse I think he would have got the Fort his Skirmishers got in the Fort got one Flag & some prisoners but not being properly supported had to fall back... as we get the land force we shall in all probility have another trial of it..." Mentions an Uncle John W.
Subjects Soldier's Letter  Civil War  Union Soldier's Letter  Military History  Union General  Navy  Battle  Union Forces  Fortification  Blockade  Prisoner of War  
People Blair, D. F. (fl. 1864)  Butler, Benjamin Franklin (1818-1893)  Porter, David Dixon (1813-1891)  
Place written s.l.
Theme The American Civil War; Naval & Maritime
Sub-collection Papers and Images of the American Civil War
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
Civil War: Recipient Relationship Sister  
Civil War: Theater of War Lower Seaboard Theater and Gulf Approach  
Civil War: Unit USS Mohican  
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