1864 USS Covington Report "I this day took on board...four refugees"

3pp, measuring 7" x 13.5", "U.S.S. Covington", dated February 19, 1864. A report from Acting Volunteer Lieutenant George P. Lord signed "A.V. Lieut Comd." Concerning military news gained from a Confederate prisoner - Captain of the "CSS Colonel Lovell". Reads in part:

"I have the honor to Report that I this day took on board at Friars Point, Miss. Four Refugees, one of whom was Capt. Delancey (Pilot) who commanded the 'Gen'l Lovell' in the Engagement at Memphis. He (and the others) return under the President's Proclamation. I turned them over to Gen'l Buford who sent them to St. Louis. Capt. Delancey superintended the building of several of the Ironclads now lying at Mobile."

He goes on to report on the technical specifications of the Confederate ships 'Nashville' and 'Tennessee,' with details on sizes, materials, and types of guns. The letter then continues: "He [Capt. Delancey] states the number of men lost on the 'Gen'l Lovell' to be 75 - Had a crew of 80 men 5 of which only were saved, Himself, one Engineer and 3 Sailors. He was picked up in a Skiff and left on the same train with Gen'l M. Jeff Thompson. Admiral Buchannan commands the Fleet which now comprises 9 vessels. He Reports the Fortifications strong on the front, being a continuous line of forts on the left going in, the Rear not so strong…"

The U.S.S. "Covington" was a side-wheel steamer purchased in early 1863 by the Union Army and fitted for service. She came under the command of George P. Lord and was assigned to the Mississippi Squadron. The C.S.S. "Colonel Lovell" was a cotton-clad warship built in 1843 and procured for the Confederate Navy during the Civil War. She was commanded by General Mansfield Lovell and put into service in the Mississippi River Defense Fleet. During the Battle of Memphis, one of the "Lovell's" engines failed, and she was rammed several times by Federal ships before sinking. Captain Delaney and a handful of crew members managed to swim ashore before being captured by Lord and his crew.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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