A poignant Civil War naval letter written aboard the Union ironclad gunboat U.S.S. Chillicothe during operations on the Red River in Louisiana. Addressed to Theo. E. Powers, Esq., the letter concerns the disposition of the remains of Captain Southmayd, whose death had evidently prompted correspondence regarding the return of his body and the settlement of associated affairs. Writing from Simmesport, Louisiana, on May 17, 1864, Lt. Commander Watson Smith, commanding the Chillicothe, acknowledges receipt of Powers’s letter of April 23 and reports that the vessel’s paymaster had already notified the family of their loss. Smith notes that, despite unavoidable delays, Captain Southmayd’s remains had reached Cairo, Illinois, the principal Union naval depot on the Mississippi River, from which they would presumably be forwarded home. He further assures Powers that the other matters mentioned in the correspondence had been attended to and that additional arrangements would be made as directed. The letter reads in part: “...although there was some unavoidable delay in sending Captain Southmayd’s remains home he had information to-day that they had reached Cairo Ills., the Naval Depot at that place, probably. The matters that you speak of he says have been generally attended to...” The document is signed “Watson Smith, Lt. Commdr.” Smith was a notable Union naval officer who commanded several Mississippi Squadron vessels during the Civil War. The U.S.S. Chillicothe, a City-class river ironclad, participated in operations along the Mississippi and Red Rivers, including the Red River Campaign of 1864, placing this letter directly within one of the war’s major western-theater naval campaigns. A compelling naval wartime letter combining themes of military administration, casualty notification, and the logistics of returning fallen officers to their families. Such Mississippi Squadron correspondence, particularly on ironclad stationery identifying the vessel and wartime location, is increasingly scarce and highly desirable to collectors of Civil War naval history. Condition: Folded as mailed, with expected creasing and light toning. Minor handling wear. Signature bold and legible. Overall very good condition.
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U.S.S. Chillicothe Simmesport, La., May 17th 1864 Sir, Yours of the 23d was rec'd on the 15th inst. I was placed in command of this vessel; the Paymaster of the Chillicothe, Mr. Hathaway, had already given his attention to notifying the family of their loss, and although there was some unavoidable delay in sending Captain Southmayd's remains home he had information to-day that they had reached Cairo, Ills., the Naval Depot at that place, probably. The matters that you speak of he says have been generally attended to. He will make such other arrangements as you make known desire for— Very respectfully, Watson Smith Lt. Commdr. Theo. E. Powers Esqm [Esq.]
