Union Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War

War Date Letter Signed

(1802-78) A former newspaper editor, he held various minor political offices and had been in the Navy Department before joining the Republican party in 1855. Named Secretary of the Navy by President Abraham Lincoln, he served with great efficiency during the war. Completely loyal to Lincoln, his support of Andrew Johnson as well made him a steadying influence in the presidential cabinet. Resigning in 1869, he later wrote "Lincoln & Seward" and published his own, "Diary of Gideon Welles."

War Date Letter Signed: 7 3/4 x 10, in ink.

Navy Department
September 26, 1862

Sir:

Your letter of the 16th inst. has been received.

You are entitled to the pay of your grade from the date of your appointment, August 2, 1862, and to sea pay while serving in the Western Flotilla.

I am respy.,
your obt. svt.,
Gideon Welles
Secretary of the Navy

Actg. Vol. Lieut.
John V. Johnston
Gunboat Baron de Kalb
Memphis, Tenn.

Capt. Winslow

Light age toning and wear. Neatly written. The signature is bold, but shows some feathering to the ink. Gideon Welles is always a very popular Union Navy autograph to obtain, especially in war date format.

Lieutenant John V. Johnston, U.S. Navy, served in the Civil War from August 2, 1862, to June 23, 1864.

The Gunboat Baron de Kalb, was constructed for the Union Navy by James B. Eads. Originally built at St. Louis, at the Union Marine Works Carondelet, Missouri, for the U.S. War Department, she was launched at St. Louis, on October 12, 1861, and joined the Western Gunboat Flotilla.

On October 1, 1862, the Baron De Kalb was transferred to the U.S. Navy Department. From December 21-28, she took part in the Yazoo Expedition, and participated in the action at Drumgould's Bluff, on December 28th. Four of Baron De Kalb's sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in the expedition; Seaman Peter Cotton, Captain Pierre Leon, Boatswain's Mate John McDonald, and Boatswain's Mate Charles Robinson.

During 1863, the Baron De Kalb took part in the capture of Arkansas Post (January 10-11); the expedition up the White River (January 12-14); the Yazoo Pass Expedition (February 20 - April 5); was in action at Fort Pemberton (March 11-13); in action at Haines' Bluff (April 29-2 May, May 18); in action at Yazoo City, Mississippi (20-23 May); and in the Yazoo River Expedition (24-31 May).

She was sunk by a Confederate mine on July 13, 1863, in the Yazoo River, one mile below Yazoo City, Mississippi. [Source: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships].