Lot 1146

(UNION NAVY) GIDEON WELLES, ANDREW HARWOOD AND GARRETT J. PENDERGRAST

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(UNION NAVY) GIDEON WELLES, ANDREW HARWOOD AND GARRETT J. PENDERGRAST

Estimate: $200 - $300

Starting Bid: $100

(0 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 31, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

(UNION NAVY) GIDEON WELLES, ANDREW HARWOOD AND GARRETT J. PENDERGRAST
Fine association, war-date L.S., 2pp. 4to., [Washington, D.C.], Aug. 11, 1862, from GIDEON WELLES (1802-1878), Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy who proposed the blockage of Southern ports and the construction of the ironclad fleet, to William W. Wood, later Engineer-in-Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering. Welles orders Wood to report to the Washington Navy Yard to examine the engines of the gunboat USS CHIPPEWA for overuse, once he has completed his duties aboard the experimental ironclad USS NEW IRONSIDES, and signs boldly in black ink at the conclusion. At the top left of the first page appears the A.E.S. of Commodore ANDREW A. HARWOOD (1802-1884) as Commandant of the Navy Yard, affirming that Wood has reported as ordered on Aug. 15th. The verso bears the scarce A.E.S. of Commodore GARRETT J. PENDERGRAST (1802-1862), Commander of the frigate USS CUMBERLAND who captured sixteen confederate vessels off Fortress Monroe at the outset of the war, but who died of a stroke in November 1862. He confirms that the enclosed letter has been delivered to Wood on Aug. 13. Finally, below this appears a second endorsement signed by Welles, dated Aug. 18, ordering Wood to return to Philadelphia as the duties outlined in the letter have been completed. Shows original mailing folds with slight splits thereto at the edges, otherwise in very good to fine condition overall.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000