2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
Single sheet Order, titled, "SPECIAL ORDER No. 8. U.S. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, FLAG SHIP "TEMPEST," MOUND CITY, ILLS., APRIL 24, 1865". A rare U.S. Mississippi Squadron Special Order from Rear Admiral Samuel Lee on the Flag Ship Tempest, passing along a confidential telegraph order from Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. Admiral Lee conveys the order that "the utmost vigilance should be exercised on the Mississippi River, especially the lower portion of it, to prevent the carrying across of plunder and property in the hands of Jeff Davis and his Cabinet, and also to seize their persons." Davis and other Confederate leaders had fled Richmond and the oncoming Union Army; they had hoped to find sanctuary outside the United States. At one point they hoped to cross the South and reach Mexico.
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