CIVIL WAR - UNION - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 11/20/1864 - HFSID 251311

CIVIL WAR: UNION. Autograph Letter, unsigned, 4p, 8x10. U.S. Str. "Santiago de Cuba", off Wilmington N.C., Sunday, 1864 November 20. Begins: "My Own Dear One". In part, with misspellings: "To morrow or the day after we are going on the outside blockade and where we remain for about a fortnight. Yesterday morning it was reported by some of the vessels that the Confederate Cruiser 'Tallahassee' run in. Some of our vessels engaged the forts, and quite a lively time ensued in consequence of their firing back in return. There was a dense fog everwhere and only at intervals was it possible to see anything. The report of the guns from shore were sufficient to assure us of their size and number-and by no means did I feel badly because I could not get close to where they were...The vessels motion annoyed me some and gave me in addition to my cold a severe headache...At our present anchorage were on good fishing grounds, and both yesterday and this morning our sailors amused themselves in catching fish. Yesterday a young shark was caught and as sailors always dislike to see them about, they fastened a stick of wood to the sharks back and threw him overboard...By the by I must tell you that Captain Glisson is a very fine gentleman. He is one of the oldest naval officers, and is entirely void of those petty jealousies common to some of the younger officers...." The writer ends the letter without signing his name: "Dearest here is my kiss and as your own, must say good Bye." Slightly creased, usual folds. Fine condition. With original stamped envelope addressed to: "Miss Maria A. Woodford/Care of Mr C.R. Woodford/Avon/Conn.", postmarked Old Point Comfort, VA, Nov 22. Torn at edge, worn, slightly stained. On November 2, 1864, U.S.S. Santiago de Cuba had captured blockade running steamer Lucy at sea east of Charleston with cargo of cotton and tobacco. On December 26th, blockade runner Chameleon, formerly the dreaded raider C.S.S. Tallahassee mentioned in this letter, slipped out of Wilmington amid the confusion in the aftermath of the first attack on Fort Fisher. In Bermuda, Chameleon loaded badly needed foodstuffs for the Confederate armies, but by the time the ship got back to Wilmington in January, the port had already fallen. Naval blockade Civil War letters are scarce and this letter is a particularly desirable one written by an obviously well-educated seaman. Two items.