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Fighting in Florida. Archive of Jesse S

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Fighting in Florida. Archive of Jesse S
Fighting in Florida. Archive of Jesse Sherwood, Surgeon's Steward on U.S.S. Somerset. His diary, together with "True copy of Log," photo, ambrotype of his wife, family photographic album, letter of resignation, three medals, and ten additional papers. Sherwood was orphaned at 11, undertook the responsibility of his 7 year-old brother, and worked in a drug store in Edina, Missouri until enlisting in the Navy at age 17. His diary, from Jan. 1, 1863 through May 18, 1864, and log, from Apr. 1, 1862 to Mar. 18, 1864, are a picture of the myriad activities of a gunboat on the Florida coast during the Civil War, and also show features of Gen. Winfield Scott's "Anaconda Plan" at work. This called for coastal warfare to force the Confederates to sue for peace. In addition to usual wartime naval routines and adventures, assistance was offered to an endless stream of refugees who came on board, help given, and then redirected to whatever destinations they wished. Added to the wartime refugees were those fleeing from the Confederate Conscription Act. The U.S.S. Somerset had captured the Confederate vessels Circassian (the most valued vessel captured during the war) and the blockade runner Curlew, shelled the Confederate fort in St. Marks, Florida, attacked the Confederate Salt Works in the Florida Keys (salt was one of the most critical materials in the Confederacy), captured Confederate seamen in their intent to capture U.S.S. Adella, and "hoisted the flag of Chattahoochee beneath ours." The diary and log both contain mentions and comments about some of these events. Writer Sherwood details his days: the food, care of the sick, the doctor and captain, fishing and duck hunting in his free time, extensive reading, individual stories of some of the refugees: two boys chased by soldiers and bloodhounds through the swamps for six days; the captain's entry into town with a flag of truce to rescue a bride from New Jersey whose husband was in the Confederate Army; a mother with five children, and more. The diary contains about 68 leaves, written both sides; the log contains 26 leaves, also written both sides, entitled "True copy of the Log of Jesse Sherwood, U.S.N. of the cruise of the U.S.S. Gunboat Somerset...." References by the writer to "the free negro Bill Williams" and to "Mr. Roan's Negroes," expedition captured several 'nigs - no body hurt," and one of the seamen disciplined for not speaking to Williams in a respectful manner. Comments also on Sherman's Raids and Gen. Thomas' advance. Each book about 8 x 12, front cover loose, written in a schooled hand. Customary signs of wear, but generally very satisfactory. With: photo of Sherwood, 3 x 4 -3/4 , and ambrotype of his wife, Isabella Flagler at age 17. Family album of 57 cabinet photos in a luxurious padded gold velvet cover, 7 x 16, gilt edges on three sides, with two cabinets on each heavy board page set into a slide enclosure, so that no photos are glued. Almost all photos identified, from Jesse Sherwood and his wife Isabella on down. In addition, two smaller photos c. 1900. Photographers represented from Chicago, Missouri, San Francisco, etc. Cabinet photos of superior quality, in choice condition. First-hand wartime and social history, recorded from the Florida coast during the Civil War, the U.S.S. Somerset an escape hatch for civilians, and a sentinel for the Union.