American historian, Secretary of the Navy, and diplomat (1813-1871) who established the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. LS signed “Geo. Bancroft,” one page, 8 x 10, September 1866. Letter to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, in part: "The more I reflect on it, the more I think the hope well founded that you will assign Mr. Gherardi the vacant place among the commanders. His uniform good conduct in the navy, his pride in his profession, his unusual amount of sea service, all speak for him. Not a man in the navy was more zealous than he to take part in the suppression of the rebellion; not one reported himself more promptly, or persisted in the service with more zeal. His taking a small gun boar, and chasing fearlessly after the ram that was escaping down the Mississippi, and his courage and good judgment in calling out the ship below the ram with alarm guns, judgment in calling out the ship below the ram with alarm guns, certainly merit the approbation of the department and the country." In fine condition, with a few central vertical folds. Accompanied by an unrelated later LS from Bancroft, informing the treasurer of the Century Association that he is about to embark for Europe.
Bancroft Gherardi, the son of George Bancroft's sister, served in the steam sloop Lancaster at the outbreak of the Civil War and later became the executive officer of the Chippewa in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. He commanded the gunboats Chocura and Port Royal, and was commended for his conduct in the Battle of Mobile Bay under Admiral David Farragut on August 5, 1864.
