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Penned Aboard a Noted Union "Tinclad" Gunboat.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:112.00 USD Estimated At:225.00 - 275.00 USD
Penned Aboard a Noted Union  Tinclad  Gunboat.
Letter of Union sailor Jas. L. Dawson, "Gun Boat Hastings, Mouth of White River, Ark. / Miss. Squadron, Via Cairo, Ill.," July 8, (18)64, 5 x 8 1/4, 2 full pp. To his sister. "Sorry to hear that Ma is unwell. I know I did wrong in going away as I did. But it can't be helped now. I should be ashamed to come home so soon. You all would laugh...I am well and tough at present...Tell me what mother is going to do if I do not come home...I think I had better stay away...I expect we will leave here soon for up White River where we had the fight before. Old Shelby is up there with 3,000 waiting for us to come up, so he can attack us...." Toning at two horizontal folds, else very good. Confederate Gen. Joseph Shelby played a key role in the Arkansas Campaign; rather than surrendering in Missouri several months after this letter, Shelby led his men to Mexico. The Hastings was among the light-draught gunboats dubbed "tinclads," which "bore the brunt of the war on the Mississippi River tributaries..."--accompanying ship's history and modern research. A converted sidewheel steamer, the ship patrolled Confederate waterways ranging as far as Louisiana and Mississippi, also convoying Union troops and gleaning intelligence. A rich literature mentions the Hastings and exploits of the Mississippi Squadron. Letters of Union sailors are uncommon and desirable.