Kell, John McIntosh (1823-1900) to Mary Kell
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00684.02 Author/Creator: Kell, John McIntosh (1823-1900) Place Written: Santo Domingo, Aux Cayes, St. Iago de Cuba Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 May 1849 - 16 June 1849 Pagination: 6 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his sister while suspended from duty and awaiting Court Martial aboard the Albany. Describes surrounding islands of Santo Domingo and Navaro with stories of landscape and native islanders. Arrives at Aux Cayes, Haiti, on 11 June 1849 and learns that "the Frigate Raritan had sailed from there ten days since for Port au Prince." On 16 June 1849, writes of the Albany's move to St. Iago de Cuba, where he is allowed to go ashore after four months confinement. Feels "quite a new being" and reports to family that he will reach Pensacola by "the middle or perhaps the last of July," when his Court Martial will be held. Four leaves with a half sheet stitched to back. Signed on sixth page, postscript on bottom of fourth page.
Kell served on the Albany as a Passed Midshipman under Commander Victor M. Randolph. Kell and three other Passed Midshipmen were arrested and suspended from duty after disobeying the orders of a superior officer. They were confined to steerage for four months before their trial at Pensacola, Florida. The Court Martial began 20 July 1849 and ended 4 August 1849, with all four Passed Midshipmen dismissed from the Navy. In December 1850, all four were reinstated to their former ranks after petitioning U.S. Senator John Macpherson Berrien.
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