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1870 Rear Admiral William Radford Autograph Letter Signed – USS Franklin Flagship Stationery – Civil War Admiral – European Squadron
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.
