Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Engle, Frederick (1799-1868) to David G. Farragut

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02466.04 Author/Creator: Engle, Frederick (1799-1868) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 September 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : envelope ; 19.8 x 13.1 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Captain Engle as the governor of the naval asylum in Philadelphia to Admiral Farragut as commander of the blockading squadron off Mobile, Alabama. Congratulating Farragut for his victory at Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864. Says "The world on which I am lodged as a speck of sand is astonished at your great Success." Claims that no one rejoices as much as him on Farragut's victory. Says the bearer of this letter, James G. Stacey, is the son of a former schoolmate, Seamis B. Stacey, who died. Asks Farragut to help James in any way possible. Includes envelope (7.7 x 13.9 cm.) addressed to Farragut. At the beginning of the Civil War, Captain Frederick Engle was sent to China to bring home the USS "Hartford." He was then assigned to the command of the Philadelphia navy yard, and subsequently became governor of the naval asylum in that City. He was promoted to be rear admiral on the retired list, 25 July 1866

At the beginning of the Civil War, Captain Frederick Engle was sent to China to bring home the USS "Hartford." He was then assigned to the command of the Philadelphia navy yard, and subsequently became governor of the naval asylum in that City. He was promoted to be rear admiral on the retired list, 25 July 1866

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