CAPT. WILLIAM MCBLAIR AND C.S.S. ATLANTA GROUPING
WILLIAM MCBLAIR (ca. 1802-1863) American naval officer, commanded the USS DALE in suppression of the slave trade off western Africa. After his service in the U.S. Navy's African Squadron, McBlair joined the Confederate Navy and commanded the CSS PATRICK HENRY as well as the ironclad CSS ATLANTA. Died in 1863 on board a hospital ship. Lot of eight war-date documents concerning the CSS ATLANTA and McBlair's service aboard the vessel. Includes: an A.D.C.'s letter to McBlair on "Headquarters Major General Commanding Forces in Norfolk Harbor" letterhead, May 4, 1861 asking the number of guns at Crane's Island and ordering an officer be sent to determine additional needs for the defense of the island; a letter from FRANKLIN BUCHANAN (1800 - 1874) Confederate admiral who commanded the ironclad C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimac) and was severely wounded in the famous engagement, on CSA Office of Orders and Detail letterhead, Richmond, Sep. 20, 1861 to McBlair advising that his request for additional sailors had been declined; the CSA Navy order to McBlair, Richmond, Sep. 24, 1862, ordering McBlair to Savannah to receive command of the FINGAL (soon to be commissioned the CSS ATLANTA), bearing an A.E.S. as bottom by JOSIAH TATTNALL, (1795-1871) a Confederate commodore who defended Fort Royal and later scuttled the Merrimac to prevent her capture; a fair copy of an extract of a Sep. 27, 1862 letter from CSA Navy Secretary Stephen R. Mallory to Tattnall ordering that the FINGAL be prepared for service as quickly as possible; a Dec. 4, 1862 order from Savannah placing a corporal from the 13th Ga. Battery aboard the ATLANTA; a Dec. 5, 1862 letter from an ATLANTA engineer to McBlair complaining that few needed stores had been received; a Jan. 3, 1863 "Confederate Naval Station, Savannah, Ga." requisition for 20 tons of coal, signed by an ATLANTA engineer; a Mar. 30, 1863 letter to McBlair's wife, apparently regretting the loss of their son, docketed and signed at bottom by McBlair, and five pieces of personal correspondence concerning the McBlair family, some letters of condolence. Overall very good. Sold with a copy of the Richmond Daily Dispatch, Nov. 7, 1862, 2pp., mentions William Quantrill, runaway slaves, etc.