[Battle Of Mobile Bay] Lt. Commander Brown Writes Letter Criticizing Farragut For Sale

4 pp, 5 ¼ x 8 ¼, ALS, marked “Confidential”,Indianapolis, Ind., June 15th, [18]69 George Brown, Lt. Commander ofthe gunboat USS Itasca, to “My Dear Walker,” who may have been Samuel WalkerDavis, a Union Navy sailor and a recipient of the U.S. military’s highestdecoration, the Medal of Honor. Davis was awarded the medal for exemplifyingextreme courage during the fierce Battle of Mobile Bay. Brown’s letter iscentered around the Naval battle, which the Union won in August 1864, enablingthe Federals to impose a blockade and assisting President Abraham Lincoln’sre-election.

Brown references Admiral David Farragut and fears thatdiscovery of his remarks about the admiral would leave him vulnerable. He alsospeaks of Lt. Commander W.P. McCann, who commanded the USS Kennebec gunboatduring the battle and Lt. Commander Bancroft Gherardi, who commanded the USS PortRoyal.

“...I wanted to have an old-fashioned chat with youand particularly to talk on a matter in which I am deeply interested. When Imarched home, I was delighted to hear that Gherardi had succeeded in gettinghis old place on the register, as I always felt that great injustice had beendone him at the time no one was promoted. There is just one other who cleavesto his old plans and I for one will do all in my power to assist him. I fullyunderstand that anything I may say on this subject might possibly reflect onthe late administration and on the judgement of Admiral Farragut and consequentlywish to be somewhat guarded. I refer to McCann. I know every act of his duringthe war and as we were side by side at Mobile I know that he did his whole duty. Farragut thought otherwise. I was the firstto urge Mc[Cann] to endeavor to get his proper number and always told him thatwhile I liked rank as much as anyone and did not consider myself selfish thanothers, I could not for the sake of a number on the register stand in the wayof one who had been so unjustly hated. I saw him while in Philadelphia, and amsatisfied that he has not only a good case but has good backers and that hewill accomplish his desires as soon as Congress convenes.

“His only fear is that you are the stumbling block andthat your influence with Mrs. Grimes may make his an uphill work if it does notdefeat his aims entirely. You and I have talked this question over more thanonce but I am not certain as to your views on the subject and will for thispurpose of asking you tonight...I congratulate you fully on your fine command...Isaw Porter and although he received me very kindly I am satisfied that he not...sendme to Pensacola or to some other hell on earth.I am the happy owner of a fast horse and I am hard at work on the farm.In fact I have never had so pleasant prospects of enjoying home...”

Folds, light toning. An excellent letter of content regardingthe sailors who delivered a victory for the Union at this important battle. A beautiful crest of the initial B, top left first page.

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