Details
ALMY, JOHN J., Rear Admiral. Autograph letter signed ("John J. Almy"), to a clergyman, detailing his Civil War service. Washington,j D.C., 24 May 1887. 10 pages, 4to, written on rectos and versos, tied in blue silk, some age-darkening on final page (crossing closure).
Rear Admiral Almy was born in 1814, served in Mexican and Civil Wars, commanding the gunboars "South Carolina," "Connecticut," and "Juniata." He captured 4 noted blockage runners with valuable cargoes and ran ashore and destroyed 4 others. Almy retired in 1876 after almost 57 years of service.
This important letter gives Almy's account of the naval war, detailing his Civil War service, a plan by Confederates to liberate their prisoners on Johnston's Island (Lake Erie), the "sea fight" between the "Kearsage" and the "Alabama," Battle of Mobile Bay, and much more. In response to a sermon delivered in Brooklyn by the recipient of this letter, Almy quotes the unnamed clergyman's words: "But little has been said of those who served in the Navy and I recite today the deeds of our Naval heroes who have not yet received appropriate recognition." Almy adds, "This is all true... As an Officer of the Navy who has been in the service fifty-eight years, I most heartily thank you for what you said; and I know full well the whole Navy thanks you...The Officers of the Navy are not given to blowing their own trumpets."
"...In the late Civil War, the Army had such an immense number of troops in the field, with a galaxy of brilliant and victorious Generals, that the Navy seemed to be much thrown in the back-ground. But the Navy was all the time hard at work cooperating with the Army--sometimes leading, and sometimes following." He goes on in detail describing various exciting accounts and heroes of the naval war.
He concludes: "...But Commander, and Commandes; whether one Arm of the service - Army, Navy, or Volunteers - leads and the other follows - whether we sail along together in line ahead or line abreast; or whether we march shoulder to shoulder, we are all actuated by the same motives - animated by one and the same grand purpose: 'Our Country, the Union and the Constitution.' These names have a precious meaning - names which we should lat at heart, and impress them upon our sons; - swear that we will stand by them, fight for them; and if need be, die for them. With sentiments of esteem and respect, I remain...John J. Almy, Rear-Admiral U.S. Navy."
Rear Admiral Almy was born in 1814, served in Mexican and Civil Wars, commanding the gunboars "South Carolina," "Connecticut," and "Juniata." He captured 4 noted blockage runners with valuable cargoes and ran ashore and destroyed 4 others. Almy retired in 1876 after almost 57 years of service.
This important letter gives Almy's account of the naval war, detailing his Civil War service, a plan by Confederates to liberate their prisoners on Johnston's Island (Lake Erie), the "sea fight" between the "Kearsage" and the "Alabama," Battle of Mobile Bay, and much more. In response to a sermon delivered in Brooklyn by the recipient of this letter, Almy quotes the unnamed clergyman's words: "But little has been said of those who served in the Navy and I recite today the deeds of our Naval heroes who have not yet received appropriate recognition." Almy adds, "This is all true... As an Officer of the Navy who has been in the service fifty-eight years, I most heartily thank you for what you said; and I know full well the whole Navy thanks you...The Officers of the Navy are not given to blowing their own trumpets."
"...In the late Civil War, the Army had such an immense number of troops in the field, with a galaxy of brilliant and victorious Generals, that the Navy seemed to be much thrown in the back-ground. But the Navy was all the time hard at work cooperating with the Army--sometimes leading, and sometimes following." He goes on in detail describing various exciting accounts and heroes of the naval war.
He concludes: "...But Commander, and Commandes; whether one Arm of the service - Army, Navy, or Volunteers - leads and the other follows - whether we sail along together in line ahead or line abreast; or whether we march shoulder to shoulder, we are all actuated by the same motives - animated by one and the same grand purpose: 'Our Country, the Union and the Constitution.' These names have a precious meaning - names which we should lat at heart, and impress them upon our sons; - swear that we will stand by them, fight for them; and if need be, die for them. With sentiments of esteem and respect, I remain...John J. Almy, Rear-Admiral U.S. Navy."