Goldsborough, Louis Malesherbes (1805-1877) to George B. McClellan
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02466.06 Author/Creator: Goldsborough, Louis Malesherbes (1805-1877) Place Written: Norfolk, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 June 1862 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 20 x 12.4 cm. Order a Copy
Written on stationery of the Flag Ship USS "Minnesota." Written by Flag Officer Goldsborough as commander of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron to Major General McClellan as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Letter most likely making reference to the Peninsula Campaign. Says everything will be done further his reasonable requests. Took it for granted that McClellan had not seen General Stewart Van Vliet's (the quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac until 10 July 1862) telegram to him. Says to give any unexpected assistance that he must be consulted beforehand, as he keeps all his vessels employed except those in for repairs.
During his command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 1861 to September 1862, Louis Goldsborough led his fleet off North Carolina, where in cooperation with troops under General Ambrose Burnside, he captured Roanoke Island and destroyed a small Confederate fleet. After special administrative duties in Washington, D.C., he took command of the European Squadron in the last year of the U.S. Civil War, returning to Washington in 1868 to serve as commander of the Washington Navy Yard until his retirement in 1873.
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