West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to R. West
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.07 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Aboard the USS "Perry" off Charleston, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 June 1861 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 24.6 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy
Says nothing has happened recently except coming across a vessel from Bremen, Germany that was bound for Charleston. The "Minnesota" ordered it off and sent it to Baltimore. It is understood that they will be stationed off Fernandina, near the mouth of the St. Mary River in Florida. Speaks poorly of his captain, who "acted as if he was totally ignorant of the existence of such a thing as the Gulf Stream." Says they captured a ship with a cargo of cotton a few days before. Continues the letter on 4 June. Says the "Perry" captured its first privateer yesterday. Describes the 5 hour chase. The ship was the "Savannah" of Charleston. They removed the prisoners and put a prize crew on board and the "Perry" sailed back to Charleston.
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