Blockade Runner Laments Unfairness To Confederate Prisoners Vs. British Runners For Sale

JAMES SPRUNT worked on blockade runners during the Civil War, serving the Confederate Navy. He was captured and imprisoned at Fort Macon and Fort Monroe. After an escape, he continued service until the fall of Fort Fisher in January 1865. After the warm he went into the cotton exporting business with his father.

Offering two letters, one a single page, ALS, 8 1/2 x 11, on Alexander Sprunt & Son Cotton Exporters stationary, Wilmington, NC, May 19, 1894, and the other a two-page TLS on the firm’s stationary. Both are written to Captain S.A. Ashe of Raleigh, NC, regarding blockade activities.

May 13, 1922: “…I have thought for years that there should have been a distinction between vessels owned in the Confederacy, and vessels owned partly by the Confederate Government which sailed under the Confederate flag, from and those which sailed under British colors for a mere motive of gain. Those under the Confederate flag were commanded by Confederate officers and manned by Southerners; those under the British flag were all foreigners. I think there should be a distinction because, if a vessel was capture as ours was, flying the Confederate flag, the prisoners were almost in every case detained during the war. The Britishers were discharged without any detention unless there was recognized among them some one who had already been engaged in blockade running. In one case, I remember a foreign sailor was discharged two days after he was captured and in two weeks’ time was running the blockade on another vessel. Such an one would be detained if captured the second time.

“There is doubtless a destiny that shapes our ends and doubtless a kind Providence guided me, but I have never ceased to regret that when I first met Maffitt in Bermuda and he secured me the place as purser on his own ship, that I did not get him at the same time to orient me with the Confederate Naval Officers for detached service as he was, and that I might have had standing afterwards among the Confederate officers. He could easily have made me assistant paymaster of the FLORIDA which I saw repeatedly both at sea and at port while he was in command…”

“I sent you the last number of the Southpart Leader, containing a very interesting account of Capt. Maffilts blockade running experience at the winding up of the war, which I hop you may find space for in your valuable paper. I would be quite willing to pay for the half or whole cost of settling it up as it is rather too much to ask of you to print it at your own expense…”

When the Civil War broke out, JOHN NEWLAND MAFFITT resigned his U.S. Navy Commission and joined the Confederate Navy. He served as a naval aide to Robert E. Lee and became known for his blockade-running and commerce raiding. He commanded the steamer Cecile and later the cruiser CSS Florida. During this latter command, he repeatedly ran the Union blockade and captured enemy ships.

Letters are in excellent condition.

Everything we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy. If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is to please every customer. We are pleased to be members of The Manuscript Society, Universal Autograph Collectors Club, The Ephemera Society, the Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers and the Preferred Autograph Dealers and sale Houses. [CW 311]