(Gideon WELLES) (1802-1878) Broadside, “CONGRATULATORY LETTER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ON THE FALL OF VICKSBURG, TO BE READ TO OFFICERS AND CREW.” 250 x 197 mm. (9 7/8 x 7 3/4 in.), 13 July 1863.
Welles’ message reads in full: “Sir-Your dispatch of the 4th instant announcing the surrender of Vicksburg on the anniversary of the great historic day in our national annals, has been received. The fall of that place insures a severance of the rebel territory, and must give to the country the speedy uninterrupted navigation of the rivers which water and furnish the ocean outlet to the great central valley of the Union. For the past year the key to the Mississippi has been Vicksburg, and so satisfied of this was the rebel chief who pioneered the rebellion and first gave the order to open the fires of civil strife, that he staked his cause upon its retention. By the herculean efforts of the Army under the admirable leadership of General Grant, and the persistent and powerful co-operation of the Navy, commanded by yourself, this great result, under the providence of Almighty God, has been achieved. A slave empire, divided by this river into equal parts, with liberty in possession of its banks, and freedom upon its waters, cannot exist. The work of rescuing and setting free this noble artery, whose unrestricted vital current is essential to our nationality, commenced with such ability by the veteran Farragut and the lamented Foote, and continued by Davis, is near its consummation. You have only to proceed onward and meet that veteran chief whose first act was to dash through the gates by which the rebels assumed to bar the entrance to the Mississippi, whose free communication to and above New Orleans he has ever since proudly maintained.
When the squadrons of the Upper and Lower Mississippi shall combine, and the noble river be again free to a united people, the nation will feel its integrity restored, and the names of the heroic champions who signalized themselves in this invaluable service, will be cherished and honored.
Present and future millions on the shores of those magnificent rivers which patriotism and valor shall have emancipated, will remember with unceasing gratitude, the naval heroes who so well performed their part in these eventful times. To yourself, your officers, and the brave and gallant sailors who have been so fertile in resources, so persistent and enduring through many months of trial and hardship, and so daring under all circumstances, I tender, in the name of the President, the thanks and congratulations of the whole country, on the fall of Vicksburg.”
On 13 July 1863, Welles recorded in his diary: “…Wrote a congratulatory letter to Porter on the fall of Vicksburg. Called on the President and advised that Porter should be made a rear-admiral. He assented very cheerfully, though his estimate of Porter is not so high as mine. Stanton denies him any merit; speaks of him as a gas-bag, who makes a great fuss and claims credit that belongs to others. Chase, Seward, and Blair agree with me that Porter has done good service. I am aware of his infirmities. He is selfish, presuming, and wasteful, but is brave and energetic.”*
Rare. A search of auction records and bibliographies show no example of this edition of Welles’ letter to Porter. Most likely printed aboard Porter’s flagship soon after its receipt.
Light folds, some mild ink transfer from its folding soon after printing, else quite clean and in fine condition.
(EXA 5655) $1,000
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* Diary of Gideon Welles, (Boston, 1911), 368-369.
