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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.

West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to R. West

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.23 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Hampton Roads, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 September 1861 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 24.8 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy

Says there has been a major shuffling of commands. Commodore Stringham and Captains Nicholson of the USS "Roanoke," Mercer of the USS "Wabash," and Hull of the "Savannah," have all been detached. Says Goldsborough is to become flag officer and that the captains have been detached because they are all senior to him. Is happy that the navy is being innovative and taking on the "old officers." Says the blockade has been very inefficient up to this point. Says "Goldsborough is considered about the best officer in the service, among naval officers, and is said to be a man of great energy." Stringham was removed because he sent the "Flag" to Washington for repairs, which were not of sufficient importance. Says the vessels waste too much time at Hampton Roads, instead of at sea. Continues letter on 21 September and says that it is rumored that Captain DuPont will command the southern division of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Page 4 has a note in a different hand, initialled by West's mother as "RW."

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