Lee, Samuel Phillips (1812-1897) to Andrew Johnson

Signed by Acting Rear Admiral Lee as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to President Johnson. Lee says that John Mercer Brooke of Virginia, who is now in Richmond, is deserving of amnesty. Says Brooke was trained in the U.S. Navy, resigned to join the Confederate Navy, designed guns (the Brooke gun), and experimented with iron plating. Brooke claims to have had nothing to do with prisoners, cruisers, or illegitimate warfare. Says Brooke had a good reputation in the U.S. Navy and that his surveys of the China Seas are still useful. Says Brooke has taken the oath of allegiance, is poor and virtuous, and wants to work to support his daughter. This letter is probably the copy referenced in Lee's letter at GLC02029.02. At the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Samuel Philips Lee held the rank of commander and was captain of the sloop of war USS Vandalia in the East Indies, sailing her home on his own initiative to join the blockade of the Southern coast. Commander Lee commanded the new steam sloop USS Oneida during the New Orleans campaing and subsequent operations on the Mississippi River in the first half of 1862. In September 1862, Lee was placed in command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron with the rank of Acting Rear Admiral. He led this force for over two years, during which it was responsible for the blockade of the North Carolina coast and operations of North Carolina and Virginia inland waters, all areas of very active combat between Union adn Confederate forces. Acting Rear Admiral Lee transferred to the command of the Mississippi River Squadron in October 1864 and led it to the end of the Civil War in 1865. His flagship during his time as commander of the Mississippi River Squadron was the USS Black Hawk. Reverting to his permanent rank of Captain after the Civil War, Lee had extensive service in the Washington, D.C. area. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1870 and retired from active service in February 1873.