Archive Record
Metadata
Accession number |
2004.387 |
Catalog Number |
2004.387.01 |
Collection |
Pearce Civil War Collection |
Object Name |
Letter |
Title |
Lee (Samuel Phillips) Papers, 1865 |
Creator |
Lee (Samuel Phillips) |
Date |
April 27, 1865 |
Dates of Creation |
June 1, 1865 |
Scope & Content |
Two letters (April 27, 1865; June 1, 1865) written by Samuel Phillips Lee document Union naval activity in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Mississippi River. The first letter (April 27, 1865) gives five separate orders pertaining to the Mississippi River. The first order, General Order Number 57 dated April 8, warns commanding officers of rebel officers crossing the Mississippi. The second, General Order Number 60 of April 24, requires that gunboats remain on watch. The third order, Special Order Number 8 of April 24, orders the men to be watchful of Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. Divisional officers are also ordered to live on board a gunboat to ensure that the duties are carried out. The fourth order stresses that "the immediate, engrossing, and important duty is to capture Jeff. Davis and cabinet and their plunder." The fifth order requires all trading steamers to be searched carefully. The second letter (June 1, 1865) refers to the surrender of men and material at Galveston, Texas and other Gulf ports. Lee asked Major General Sheridan what steps should be taken to avoid confusion over the terms of surrender. Lee particularly wanted to clarify which command the surrendered men and material would fall under: Admiral Thatcher's command of the West Gulf Squadron or Lee's Mississippi Gulf Squadron. Lee as the Commander of the Mississippi Squadron gave the boundaries of the West Gulf Squadron: Mexican line to eastward of Pensacola and up the Mississippi River to New Orleans. Whereas the Mississippi Squadron's boundaries ran from New Orleans up the Mississippi River and included its tributaries and connecting rivers and bayous. In his letter, Lee requested Sheridan to propose steps to avoid confusion over the issue. |
Finding Aids |
Available in the archives and online at www.pearcecollections.us |
People |
Lee, Samuel Phillips Lee, Robert E. Davis, Jefferson |
Search Terms |
Naval Gulf of Mexico Mississippi River United States Mississippi River Squadron United States West Gulf Squadron |
Credit line |
Pearce Civil War Collection |
Copyrights |
The copyright of these materials is managed by the Navarro College Archives on behalf of the Navarro College Foundation, 3100 W. Collin St., Corsicana, Texas 75110 Phone: 903-875-7438. Internet: archives@navarrocollege.edu. Reproductions of original materials and transcriptions may be available. Please contact the archivist for further information. |