Forwarding a copy of a letter "on the subject of torpedo boats" [not present] to John R. Chambliss, in a secretarial letters, signed by Mallory as Secretary of the Navy, January 11, 1864, written on Confederate States Navy Department letterhead.

Richmond, (VA): 1864. 4to, one-page, on blue paper, the text in full: "In compliance with your request, I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of my letter to the Hon. W. Porcher Miles on the subject of the torpedo boats"; with a "Rebel Archives" stamp on verso. Chambliss (1809-1875; Sussex County, Virginia plantation owner and member of the Confederate House of Representatives, 1862-1865) was a member of the house Naval Affairs committee and William Porcher Miles (1822-1899; Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina, 1855-1857, U.S. House of Representatives, 1857-1860, Confederate House of Representatives, 1862-1865) was chairman of the house Military Affairs committee. This letter was written several months after the Confederacy's first torpedo boat, the David, made its initial attack against the Union ship New Ironsides in Charleston Harbor (5 October 1863) and two months before its second, against the USS Memphis (6 March 1864). After two failed attempts at a sortie in 1863 (losing 13 crew members in the process), the Hunley became the first torpedo boat to actually sink a war vessel, successfully completing its mission against the USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor on February 17, 1864. Very good, Mallory's signature strong and black. Folded. (10187). Item #63452

Price: $2,000.00