Civil War-dated ALS by Thomas Belknap, signed three times, “Tom,” one page both sides, 8 x 12.5, April 11-13, 1862. Letter to his brother, William C. Belknap, written from the "U.S. Gun Boat Octorara, off Fortress Monroe, Va," describing a battle with the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack). In part: "Friday morning the Flagship Minnesota fired a Gun as a signal that the Merrimack, Jamestown, Yorktown and two or three Rebel ships were coming around Sewals' Point and our Ship with the rest of the fleet immediately got underway our Ship was charged for Action. The Commander gave Orders for our ship to proceed up towards the Rebel Ships…We lived about two miles from them all the day untill Four O-Clock when the Merrimack moved towards us until she got within range when She opened fire on us from her Bow guns. The first shot fell short about Forty yards but was a good line shot. Our Ship instantly returned the fire from our forward Pivot Gun and the after Pivot Gun. One of which is an 80 pounder and the other 100. Our shot fell under the Starboard Bow of the Enemy's Vessel and made the water dance around her. The next two shots we fired Struck in her ports and Exploded and must have done some damage. She fired one more Gun at us which must have exploded as their was a large quantity of Smoke seen to ascend from the forward part of the Ship and she immediately withdrew from action and fell back behind Sewals' Point followed by the rest of the fleet. I expect she will pay us a visit tomorrow when I hope she and the rest of the Rebel fleet will not escape so easy…I looked through the Glass at Merrimack and I can tell you I thought she was about close enough to us. I don't like her looks or her pills. The Monitor lays about a mile away from us and the rest of the Fleet about a mile away from us and the rest of the Fleet about Two Miles they make the Octorara stand the brunt. So good night. We will see how tomorrow ends."
He continues on the next day, Saturday, April 12th: "I turned out of my Hammock this Morning…After an unpleasant nights rest my dreams being mixed with Huge Merrimack commanded by Gigantic Commanders. I do not think our friends will pay a visit today although the weather is fine and clear but cold with a Strong North West Wind is blowing which kicks up quite a Sea and the Rebels are poor Sea Boats as they are iron clad and very low in the water. They are in Sight—you can tell them a great ways off by the Black Smoke they made as they burn Prine Wood Coal is Scarce in Dixey. They went to git our Ship under weigh this morning and found her hard a ground. We have a tug trying to git us off. They have just discovered by Glass that the Merrimack is in the same fix as ourselves so their is no danger from her at present." On the next day, he continues: "Nothing transpired last Evening to disturb my Slumbers and I turned out this morning fresh as a Lamb…There is an English Man of War laying off Sewals Point and they send a boat aboard of us last night and told us to keep a bright look out as the Rebels intended to cut us out by boarding in small tugs the first opportunity. They also say their is to be a General Engagement to day. How true it is time will tell." In fine condition, with some toning and edge loss to the integral address leaf.
