2009-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2009
Autograph Letter Signed, "John," "Florida At Sea," Feb. 12th/63," 22pp., to his wife. Goldsborough provides an extract of letter he has just read and then writes, in part, "…I say to you in strict confidence, Roanoke Island…there are…about 2500 men -- Gen'l Burnsides force consists of some 15,000 men…there has been a sad mistake made with regard to…his vessels & I greatly fear but very few of them can be rendered available…". Then Goldsborogh continues, "…My darling wife my candid opinion is that the selection of location to be attacked was unwise...this expedition has made me sick…I have had my misgivings…from the beginning…I believe in less than a month Savannah will either be in our hands or totally in ruins and Charleston will follow…[Feb 13th, off Charleston]…the Pexi(sp?) of Portland was the name of the old stoner, and she went down this morning with the greatest ease and comfort to herself." Then he continues referring to a blockade runner "...you can see her loaded with cotton watching for an opportunity to get out-but our vessels are stretched across the Harbor and how she is going to effect is more than I can divine...The harbor of Charleston proposes several channels...vessels have been in the habit of coming out of Moffitt Channel running along the lane in a fog to the North of the Rattlesnake Shoals." [Feb.14th, Port Royal]…between you and I DuPont is looking 20 years older than when you saw him at Aston House... his eyes are beginning to pop out-his voice is very husky…[Feb.15th]…the Connecticut takes North the remains of Lieut. Marcy-he was killed or rather died from the effect of wounds as received from the recoil of one of his boat guns…[Feb. 16th] Goldsborough blesses his wife and children. Also enclosed is a facsimile of the original cover. Near fine.
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