Lee, Samuel Phillips (1812-1897) to Thomas H. Patterson
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01007.02 Author/Creator: Lee, Samuel Phillips (1812-1897) Place Written: Off Newport News, Virginia Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 23 June 1863 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 24.6 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Written on letterhead of the U.S. Flag Ship "Minnesota." Written by Acting Rear Admiral Lee as Commander of the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron to Commander Patterson of the USS "James Adger." Lee says he has been instructed by telegraph that Major General John Dix will receive the captured crew of the CSS "Atlanta" that are currently on board the "James Adger." Tells him to proceed to Fortress Monroe, Virginia to drop them off. He is to drop off the officers of the "Atlanta" in New York at Fort Lafayette though. Lee suggested to the Department of the Navy that the "James Adger's" boilers should be inspected in New York. Lee, a third cousin of Robert E. Lee, was the commanding officer of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from 1862-1864. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1870.
The CSS "Atlanta" was an ironclad ram stationed at Savannah, Georgia until 16 June 1863 when the Commander William Webb steamed downriver to attack Union monitors in the blockade. It was run aground and forced to surrender. Webb remained a prisoner until he was exchanged on 18 October 1864. The capture was widely publicized in Northern newspapers.
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