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Drayton, Percival (1812-1865) to J. C. Palmer

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01545.07 Author/Creator: Drayton, Percival (1812-1865) Place Written: Aboard the USS Hartford Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 September 1864 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20 x 12.8 cm.

Drayton served as captain of Admiral David Farragut's flagship, the sloop of war "Hartford," and also as fleet captain of the West Gulf Blockade Squadron. Tells Palmer, the fleet surgeon on board the "Pensacola," that he sent a box and small package by the "Sebago" for Confederate Admiral Franklin Buchanan. Wants Palmer to ask Buchanan when the 15 inch shot that almost penetrated the port side of the CSS "Tennessee" during the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864 was delivered. Both Buchanan and the "Tennessee" were captured during the battle -- Buchanan was wounded. Wants to know if anything has been done to protect the vessel from worms. Says there is no obligation to answer these questions.

Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Battle
Blockade
Military History
Civil War
Union Forces
Navy
Maritime
Confederate General or Leader
Confederate States of America
Injury or Wound
Ammunition
Ironclad
The American Civil War

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