Union naval officer who served as chief engineer on the USS Monitor. War-dated ALS, one page, lightly-lined, 5 x 8, February 13, 1863. Letter to A. L. Holly. In full: “The high sided 7000 ton Warrior type irons clads are again being agitated. Now if you desire to save the Nation not only 8 or 9 millions of dollars but the disgrace of constructing such useless vessels, particularly to us—pitch in and keep hammering til the thing is dead, if the government have any spare money to spend let them immediately finish the Stevens Battery on the Dictator plan, side armor 10.5″ thick, two turrets about from 18″ to 24″ thick, each with two 13″ wrought iron guns to burn a service charge of 75tts.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, toned areas to corners from mounting remnants to reverse, and slight mirroring to ink. RR Auction COA.
