GIDEON WELLES - MILITARY APPOINTMENT SIGNED 11/24/1865 CO-SIGNED BY: REAR ADMIRAL THOMAS H. PATTERSON - HFSID 31387

GIDEON WELLES
As Secretary of the Navy, he notifies a naval officer of his promotion. Thomas H. Patterson, commander of the war sloop Brooklyn, certifies that he has delivered the notification.
Military Appointment signed: "G. Welles" as Secretary of the Navy, 1 page, 7¼x9¾. Navy Department, Washington, 1865 November 24. To Master Marston Niles, US Steamer Brooklyn, Coast of Brazil. Docketed on verso: "Delivered March 13/66/Thos. Patterson/Cmdg". Manuscript letter informing Miles of his promotion to the grade of Master, effective November 10, 1866, keeping his same date of rank as before in relation to others receiving a comparable promotion. GIDEON WELLES (1802-1878) formerly a Jacksonian Democrat, joined the newly founded Republican Party in 1854 because of his strong opposition to slavery. An able administrator, he served as Secretary of the Navy throughout the Presidencies of Abraham Lincoln (who called him "Neptune") and Andrew Johnson (1861-1869). Welles generally supported Johnson's policies, including Johnson's reluctance to impose far-reaching changes and full rights for African-Americans during the Reconstruction of the South. THOMAS H. PATTERSON, signing as Commander of the USS Brooklyn, had distinguished himself on blockade duty during the Civil War. On November 9, 1863, as captain of the USS James Adger, he captured the Confederate blockade runner Robert E. Lee, laden with war materials, which had successfully run the Union blockade more than two dozen times. Patterson would attain the rank of Rear Admiral, accompanying former President Grant on the Asian leg of his world tour in 1878. Marston Niles, a New Jersey native, served in the US Navy from September 1860 to November 1866. Surface creasing. Normal mailing folds. Toned. Lightly soiled. Corners worn. Otherwise, fine condition.