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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03836.22 |
| From Archive Folder | Correspondence of 90 letters and documents with 3 maps on the blockade of Port Royal, South Carolina |
| Title | Lewis H. West to R. West regarding the USS Flag |
| Date | 17 September 1861 |
| Author | West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) |
| Recipient | West, R |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Is at Hampton Roads for repairs. Gives an account of the collision. When on board the USS "Flag," he noticed the ship was not well disciplined. Describes the crew. Goes on to describe in detail how the frigate USS "Susquehanna" and the "Flag" came to collide. Says the "Flag" sustained damage to the "upper works" and "was in no danger, her elongated bow and cutwater having acted as a fender for her timbers and planking." Sums the situation up by saying "The rule for two steamers meeting to avoid collision is perfectly clear and simple, viz, both ships put their helms aport, the effect of which is precisely the same as 'keep to the right' with wagons. Instead of this, we put ours to starboard while the frigate did not port her's soon enough, and the result, I have told you." When they returned to Washington, all the officers of the "Flag" asked to be transferred. Was told the "Flag" is still to take him down to the "Wabash," and that he is to wait for her to be repaired. Separate note in his mother's hand on page 8 is initialed by "RW." |
| Subjects | Civil War Military History Navy Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Soldier's Letter Blockade Maritime Woman Author Women's History Children and Family |
| People | West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) West, R. (fl. 1860-1865) |
| Place written | Hampton Roads, Virginia |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Naval & Maritime |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | West was a Union naval officer in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, mostly serving off South Carolina and Georgia. This collection begins with three documents from West's service on a merchant marine ship off China. He served on the USS "Perry" April-August 1861, the USS "Wabash" August-October 1861, the USS "Alabama" October 1861-October 1862, the USS "Ladona" (also spelled Lodona) October 1862-August 1863, the USS "New Ironsides" October 1863-April 1864, and the USS "Fernandina" April 1864-March 1865. Had the rank of Masters Mate from April-August 1861 and then served the rest of the war as an Acting Master. Letters detail the tedium of life in the blockade, coming across runaway slaves and contrabands, as well as several run-ins with Confederate submarines. Three hand drawn maps are at .27, .68, and .89. Most of the letters are to his mother (her initials are RW and she resides at 1316 Walnut Street in Philadelphia - West addresses his letters to her as "Mrs. James West"), sister (Mary), and someone who appears to be West's brother-in-law (Weir). He begins to write a woman he seems to be romantically interested in named Harriet Moore in 1864. From a reference at .63, West was born in 1829. He might have been living in New York before the war, but he definitely resides there after the war. About half the letters have an envelope. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Mother |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | USS "Wabash" |