2020-09 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2020
KELL, John McIntosh (1823-1900) Executive Officer of the Confederate cruisers Alabama and Sumter. After entering the United States Navy at the age of 17, he served in the Mexican War and in 1853 on Perry's expedition to Japan. Upon Georgia's secession from the Union, Kell was the first U.S. Naval officer to offer his services to the South. Autograph Letter Singed "J.McIntosh Kell" 3-1/2p. quarto, Bermuda, July 27, 1864, with fantastic content it reads in part:" ...I leave here tomorrow on the Steamer "Flamingo" to run the blockade into Wilmington. She is a new boat and has the reputation of being very fast; but I leave this my precious wife to be forwarded by the next boat after I have left, so that in the event of accident, I wish this to give you strength to bear the blow, for I know my poor afflicted wife that the suffering you have passed through has worked terribly upon your nervous system, and you imagine should I fall into the enemy's hands, their treatment would be severe, but my precious wife they cannot be so. We hold at this time too many prisoners of theirs, and my exchange would be made in regular order; so let me my own beloved, wife of my heart beg for you heart and sake and for the sake of our only boy, our precious Johnny that you will not let this accident be too heavily upon your frail health. God in his wisdom has taken from us our first born & noble son, and one our only darling daughter. You and our only son, our Johnny, are all I have left on earth...be strong...I must see one bleeding country in this desperate struggle and strike a blow for liberty upon our own beloved soil. Although my sufferings have been greater in the service I have been on in being separated from my wife and children, regardless of the hardships encountered I am proud to think that our country has appreciated these services; and my heart now yearns for home...I spent two days with Mr. Hutton & Hattie in Liverpool...I have not written you some of our fight with the Kearsarge as I have taken the first opportunity to come over myself, but to be sure the sad end of our noble little ship has reached you through the Yankee papers in their great jubilee no doubt resounded throughout the land, but they can boast only of their superior metal & iron sides, against our little wooden ship which fought them gloriously & sank beneath the waves, without a trophy from her to boast of. I was relieved to think that you would not be anxious for my safety as the [?] of the Captain and myself on board of the English yacht ..with many of the officers & crew was published far and wide at the same time..." Fine.
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