This two page letter, written by "Eugene" was written from on board the USS Clifton while "blockading" in the Mississippi Sound near Mobile, AL. The Clifton was built in 1861 as a civilian ferryboat. Purchased by the Navy in December of that year, it was commissioned after conversion for combat service. Arriving in the Gulf of Mexico in spring 1862, she towed mortar schooners in the Mississippi River in April, and supported them as they bombarded the Confederate fortifications below New Orleans. After the city fell, she operated with Farragut's squadron on its drive up the river to Vicksburg, and was damaged there by gunfire on 6/28/62. Took part in the capture of Galveston (Oct. 1862) and helped seize Fort Burton (April 1863). During an attack on Sabine Pass, TX on 9/8/63, she grounded under intense cannon fire and was captured. Used by the Confederacy as a gunboat, she ran aground on 3/21/64 off Sabine Pass while attempting to run the blockade. She was burned by her crew to prevent re-capture by Federal warships.

The sailor's letter, dated June 20, 1863, is directed to his father. "Since writing you before I have left the Store Ship as you can see by the heading of this letter. I cam on board of this Stmr on the 7 inst. We left New Orleans on the next day and we are now in the Mississippi Sound (in the vicinity of Mobile) Blockading...;.I shall look and long for the time to come when I shall be permitted to go and see my Friends and Home once more..."

Two page letter, written in ink, is in overall good condition, with a few scattered spots of foxing/staining, and one small tear along the center horizontal fold. Framed & matted in a 13 1/2" x 17 3/4" modern, two-sided frame.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.