2023-03 HCA Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/7/2023
Captain Josiah Tattnall, Confederate States Navy, (1795-1871) In February 1861, as southern states were leaving from the Union, Captain Tattnall resigned his commission to become an officer in the Georgia Navy and, soon after, in the Confederate States Navy. During 1861, he commanded the naval defenses of Georgia and South Carolina, participating in the battle of Port Royal, S.C., on 7 November. He was placed in charge of the naval defenses of Virginia in March 1862, and took over command of the pioneer ironclad Virginia after her battles with Federal warships on 8 and 9 March 1862. After two months of naval stalemate in the Hampton Roads area, the Confederate evacuation of Norfolk forced Tattnall to destroy the Virginia, an act supported by a subsequent court-martial. For the rest of the Civil War, Tattnall commanded naval forces in Georgia and the Savannah naval station. John K. Mitchell was a one of six commanders of The James River Squadron in the Confederate navy during the American Civil War. Scarce CS Navy letterhead "Office of Orders and Detail, C.S. Navy Department, Richmond" June 23, 1863 written to three CS Navy officers, J.S. Rennard. Pembroke Johnes, S. Seymour, all in Savannah. The Autograph Letter Signed by "Jno K. Mitchell", in part "You are hereby appointed on Board to convene as soon as practicable to examine James C. Crosin, Chief Boatswains Mate on board CS Steamer Savannah ... as to his fitness morally, professionally and physically for an appointment...." The letter is also signed "Josiah Tattnall" forwarding the document. Savannah, later called Old Savannah, was formerly the steamer Everglade built in 1856 at New York, N.Y. She was purchased early in 1861 by the State of Georgia and converted into a gunboat for coast defense. With Georgia's admission to the Confederacy, Savannah, under Lt. J. N. Maffitt, CSN, was commissioned by the Confederate States Navy. She was attached to the squadron of Flag Officer J. Tattnall, CSN, charged with the naval defense of South Carolina and Georgia.
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