2005-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005
A rare war-date Naval Academy, 3pp. 4to., letter written in ink by Midshipman Samuel L. Wilson, "Naval Academy, Ship Constitution, Newport, R. I., Sept. 24, 61"to his friend describing his first impressions upon entering the newly relocated Naval Academy at Newport, R. I., reading, in part: "…today…we went a board [the] ship Constitution and reported…to Capt. Rodgers and after going through certain ceremonies among which was the reading of the Articles of War we were received and went to drilling…my number is Crew 3 number 6…we did not get our uniforms today [but] we got our fatigue caps which are a round flat top and no front piece to it…I do not expect to go to Newport for two weeks…there is but little timber in the Constitution that was in when 1st built…everything is kept so strict…a great many of the boys are tired of it already…my motto is learn to obey before you command…I go up on the poop deck and take the glass and…see young ladies all about [in] row boats…and distinguished people sailing along…Newport is full of the fashionable people…". Wilson graduated from the academy in November 1864. he rose to the rank of lieutenant commander by 1869 and died in 1879. Near fine.
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