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JOHN R. TUCKER ALS as Captain CSA Navy Flag Ship Charleston, to Gen. Beauregard

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,400.00 USD
JOHN R. TUCKER ALS as Captain CSA Navy Flag Ship Charleston, to Gen. Beauregard
Autographs
Exceptional Content Captain of the Confederate States Navy Flag Ship “Charleston” John Randolph Tucker’s Autograph Letter Signed to CSA General P.G.T. Beauregard Dec. 1864
JOHN RANDOLPH TUCKER (1812-1883). Captain, Confederate States Navy, Commander Tucker resigned from the U.S. Navy when Virginia Seceded from the Union in April 1861, becoming a Commander in the Virginia Navy and, in June, the entire Confederate Navy; became Commander of the Confederate warships at Charleston in March 1863, remaining in that post until the City of Charleston fell in February 1865.
December 15, 1864-Dated Civil War Period, Confederate Navy Captain, Autograph Letter Signed, “J R Tucker”, Letter to General PGT Beauregard at Charleston, SC, Very Fine. This War Date Letter measures about 7.75” x 10”, 1 page with extensive notations and Docket on reverse, Charleston, SC. Here as Chief of the CSA Navy, Captain John Randolph Tucker writes to Commanding CSA General PGT Beauregard at Charleston, SC. requesting the Beauregard order the urgent and immediate forced “Conscription” commission be issued for the skilled Charleston Harbor Ship’s Pilot, Samuel Bell, to serve on Commander Tucker's Flag Ship.

Tucker became commander of the Confederate warships at Charleston in March 1863, remaining in that post until the city of Charleston fell in February 1865. During that time, he was promoted to Captain and aggressively pursued spar-torpedo warfare against U.S. warships. During the Civil War's last weeks he served in the defenses of Richmond, Virginia, and with the Confederate Army as it withdrew to its final destiny at Appomattox, where he surrendered in the field on April 6th. 1865. This historic Civil War Letter reads, in full;

“Flag Ship “Charleston” / Charleston Dec 15th 1864 ---

General, -- Saml Bell, a Pilot of this Bar and Harbor, arrived here a short time since, in the Steamer ‘Beatrice’, which vessel was lost near Sullivans Island. Being in want of a Pilot for this Squadron, I notified Mr. Bell, of the fact, and received the enclosed papers in reply.

I am under the impression that Mr. Bell is liable to Confederate Service to the age of Fifty years, and having failed to secure him in a pleasant manner, I respectfully ask of you as the Senior Military Officer of this Department, as a matter of Public interest to have the said Saml Bell, conscripted, and ordered to report to me for duty.

Will you have the kindness to return the enclosed papers. -- I am, very RespectfullyYour Obt. Svt -- (Signed) J R Tucker / Flag Officer / Comdg (Commanding) Afloat”.

Addressed to: “Gen G. T. Beauregard / Comdg Department of the West / Charleston SC”

Military endorsements on reverse, prior owners typed information attached at left side, not affecting any written text, having some old scattered show-through with two small staple holes at upper right. Overall, well written in brown ink on faint blue lined wove period paper, easily and clearly readable, as shown.

Docket on reverse reads, in full: “Flag Ship “Charleston” / Charleston S.C. Dec 15/64. -- J. R. Tucker Flag Officer Comdg afloat / Asking that Saml Bell a pilot be conscribed & ordered to report to him for duty - / Head Quarters Mil Divn (Military Division) of the West / Reply referred to the Enrolling officer for his attention - By Command of Genl. Beauregard - (Signed) M A Motay AAG” (Indicating that General Beauregard authorized Bell’s mandatory Conscription.)

For further Information See: “THE DEFENSE OF CHARLESTON HARBOR, 1863-1865, by John Johnson, Charleston, S.C., Walker, Evans & Cogswell Co. Publishers, 1890.”
John Randolph Tucker (1812-1883), was born in Alexandria, Virginia, on 31 January 1812. He became a U.S. Navy Midshipman in 1826 and had service afloat in the Mediterranean and Brazil Squadrons prior to his promotion to Lieutenant in late 1837.

During the Mexican War, he served in the Gulf of Mexico until illness forced him to return north. From 1849 until 1855 he was assigned to the Home and Mediterranean Squadrons' flagships. He received the rank of Commander in 1855 and afterwards served as Commanding Officer of the receiving ship Pennsylvania and as Ordnance Officer at the Norfolk Navy Yard.

Commander Tucker resigned from the U.S. Navy when Virginia Seceded from the Union in April 1861, becoming a Commander in the Virginia Navy and, in June, the Confederate Navy.

He was Commanding Officer of CSS Patrick Henry during 1861-62, participating with her in several combat actions. During the Federal Navy's attack on the Drewry's Bluff fortifications in May, he commanded one of the defending batteries.

In July 1862, Tucker was ordered to Charleston, South Carolina, where he took command of the ironclad Chicora. The following January, he led his ship in a successful attack on Union warships off that port. He became commander of the Confederate warships at Charleston in March 1863, remaining in that post until the city fell in February 1865.

During that time, he was promoted to Captain and aggressively pursued spar-torpedo warfare against U.S. warships. During the Civil War's last weeks he served in the defenses of Richmond, Virginia, and with the Confederate army as it withdrew to its final destiny at Appomattox. He surrendered in the field on 6 April 1865.

In 1866, after peace returned to the United States, Tucker became a Rear Admiral in the Navy of Peru, serving with the combined fleet of that nation and Chile in their war with Spain. He later surveyed the upper Amazon River. John Randolph Tucker died at Petersburg, Virginia, on 12 June 1883.