Autographs
1864 Letter Transmitting a Report of the Attack & Sinking of the U.S. Frigate "Cumberland" off Newport News Oct'61
ROBERT D. MINOR First Lieutenant CSN (USNA 1847) was commissioned in the Confederate Navy on June 10, 1861. First Lt. Minor was the Flag Lieutenant for Captain Franklin Buchanan on board CSS Virginia (Merrimack) in her engagement with USS Cumberland and Congress. Minor was wounded when he was sent to burn the Congress. Buchanan ordered the Congress burned using hotshot from the Virginia's guns.
January 28, 1864-Dated Civil War Period, Historic Content Autograph Letter Signed, "R. D. Minor," by Lieutenant Robert Minor, Flag Lieutenant of Confederate States Ship Virginia, 1 page, uniface, measuring 4.75" x 8", Choice Extremely Fine. Boldly and well written in deep crisp brown ink on very clean period paper. This Letter sent from Richmond (VA.) to "R. R. Hawison Esqr." This important transmital letter regards the sinking of the USS frigate Cumberland by the Confederate States Ship (CSS) Virginia, the day prior to the famous battle between the US Ironclad Monitor v Confederate Virginia (Merrimack). This Letter reads, in full:
"Dear Sir, --- Enclosed I send you a copy of my report of the attack on the U.S. Frigate "Cumberland" lying at anchor off Newport News in Oct'61. --- No record, that I am aware of, has been kept of the first use of torpedoes in our service, and tho: Capt. M. F. Maury conducted one in person several weeks before my attempt in Oct. no official report, that I can learn of, was made. --- As mine was the second of the kind, and as this means of defence has grown into an important branch of warfare, I beg leave to lay it before you as meriting perhaps some mention in your very interesting and valuable history, Very Truly Yours, - (Signed) R. D. Minor".
Other writings of Robert Minor expressed that it was: "A great victory. The Iron and the heavy guns did the work." Despite the Confederates rejoicing, their tactical control of Hampton Roads was short-lived. The next day, CSS Virginia dueled to a standstill with the Union ironclad, USS Monitor. Iron now ruled the waves. Lieutenant Robert Minor would write the... "the crash into the Cumberland was terrific in its results. Our cleaver fairly opened her side." Tons of water were now gushing into Cumberland, and the vessel began to sink rapidly. Soon, however, I heard the reports of our own guns, and then there came a tremor throughout the whole ship, wrote Third Assistant E. A. Jack. This is when we drove into Cumberland with our ram. Then, the cracking and breaking of her timbers told full well how fatal to her that collision was. Then, there was a settling motion of our vessel that aroused suspicion that our ship had been injured too, and was sinking.Battle of Hampton Roads, VA. March 8,1862.
USS Cumberland (1842-1862) served as one of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until March 8th, 1862 when she was Rammed and Sunk in an engagement with the Confederate Ironclad USS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) at Newport News, Virginia.
Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II.
USS Cumberland (1842-1862), a frigate, was launched 24 May 1842 by Boston Navy Yard, Her first commanding officer was Captain S. L. Breese, and her first service was as flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron from 1843 to 1845 where she had among her officers men like Foote and Dahlgren.
She was flagship of the Home Squadron between February and December 1846, serving in the Gulf of Mexico during the Mexican War. Continuing to serve in the Home Squadron she returned to the United States in July 1848.
The first USS Cumberland (1842-1862) made her second cruise to the Mediterranean from 1849 to 1851, returning as flagship of the squadron there from 1852 to 1855. From 1857 to 1859 she cruised on the coast of Africa as flagship of the African Squadron patrolling for the suppression of the slave trade, then became flagship of the Home Squadron in 1860.
At the outbreak of the Civil War USS Cumberland (1842-1862) was at Norfolk Navy Yard, just returned from Vera Cruz, Mexico. Towed out of the yard she escaped destruction when other ships there were scuttled and burned by Union forces 20 April 1861 to prevent their capture by the Confederates.
USS Cumberland (1842-1862) served as one of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until 8 March 1862 when she was rammed and sunk in an engagement with the Confederate Ironclad USS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) at Newport News, Va.
Only darkness and a receding tide had stopped Virginia from inflicting more damage on the Union warships. They seemed powerless to defend themselves against the return of Virginia. When the Confederate ironclad had rammed and sunk USS Cumberland, the ironclad had proven the power of iron over wood. It was considered a super-weapon destined to control the American coastline.
KEYWORDS:
Battle of Hampton Roads, VA. March 8,1862