1870 Rear Admiral William Radford Autograph Letter Signed – USS Franklin Flagship Stationery – Civil War Admiral – European Squadron
1870 Rear Admiral William Radford Autograph Letter Signed – USS Franklin Flagship Stationery – Civil War Admiral – European Squadron
Date: March 5, 1870
Place: Aboard the Flagship USS Franklin, off Genoa, Italy
Recipient: Commander John Grimes Walker, commanding USS Sabine (later an admiral and President of the Isthmian Canal Commission).
The letter is written on printed "Flag Ship Franklin, U.S. European Squadron" stationery and signed:
"W. Radford"
Rear Admiral U.S.N.
Commanding U.S. European Squadron
Contents
The letter concerns naval logistics and provisioning.
Radford acknowledges Walker's requisition for:
- 600 pounds of candles
- 200 pair of socks
- 300 pounds of tobacco
He informs Walker that the requested articles cannot be supplied from the store ship, noting that the vessel carries only provisions such as:
- beef
- pork
- apples
- pickles
- butter
for the squadron's use.
Although brief, it is an excellent example of the day-to-day administration required to keep the post-Civil War U.S. Navy operating overseas.
Historical Importance
Several features increase desirability:
- Signed by one of the Navy's best-known Civil War admirals.
- Written during his command of the European Squadron (1869–1870).
- Original flagship stationery.
- Addressed to Commander J. G. Walker, himself an important future admiral.
- Documents routine supply operations of the overseas U.S. fleet shortly after the Civil War.
Naval historians appreciate correspondence documenting logistics, as relatively little survives compared to combat-related material.
Condition
From the images:
- Very good condition.
- Strong signature.
- Attractive flagship letterhead.
- Expected mailing folds.
- Minor handling and light toning.
- Original integral address panel on verso.
1870 Rear Admiral William Radford Autograph Letter Signed – USS Franklin Flagship Stationery – Civil War Admiral – European Squadron
Date: March 5, 1870
Place: Aboard the Flagship USS Franklin, off Genoa, Italy
Recipient: Commander John Grimes Walker, commanding USS Sabine (later an admiral and President of the Isthmian Canal Commission).
The letter is written on printed "Flag Ship Franklin, U.S. European Squadron" stationery and signed:
"W. Radford"
Rear Admiral U.S.N.
Commanding U.S. European Squadron
Contents
The letter concerns naval logistics and provisioning.
Radford acknowledges Walker's requisition for:
- 600 pounds of candles
- 200 pair of socks
- 300 pounds of tobacco
He informs Walker that the requested articles cannot be supplied from the store ship, noting that the vessel carries only provisions such as:
- beef
- pork
- apples
- pickles
- butter
for the squadron's use.
Although brief, it is an excellent example of the day-to-day administration required to keep the post-Civil War U.S. Navy operating overseas.
Historical Importance
Several features increase desirability:
- Signed by one of the Navy's best-known Civil War admirals.
- Written during his command of the European Squadron (1869–1870).
- Original flagship stationery.
- Addressed to Commander J. G. Walker, himself an important future admiral.
- Documents routine supply operations of the overseas U.S. fleet shortly after the Civil War.
Naval historians appreciate correspondence documenting logistics, as relatively little survives compared to combat-related material.
Condition
From the images:
- Very good condition.
- Strong signature.
- Attractive flagship letterhead.
- Expected mailing folds.
- Minor handling and light toning.
- Original integral address panel on verso.
