The Remarkable Unpublished Archive of Lt. Commander Stuyvesant, Stretching from His Membership of the Final Graduating Naval Academy Class Before the Civil War Through His Storied Naval and Ironclad Service

Letters of this scope and detail are very rare on the market, this being the largest and most significant we could find in decades

 

The archive includes:
– hundreds of unpublished letters
– his journal kept on board the Naval Academy training mission
– 4 original photographs of Moses Stuyvesant
– his uniform effects, including epaulettes and sword
– his diploma from the Naval Academy, signed by many professors
– a bullet that wounded him and was saved by the family

Among the topics: hostility between cadets over slavery and secession, many accounts of attacks and counterattacks (the Capture of Fort Hatteras; the Trent Affair; the Union scuttling of Merrimac and the subsequent sinking of his vessel, the USS Cumberland by that same scuttled vessel; the Peninsula Campaign and McClellan; Battle of Drury’s Bluff, the First and Second Battles of Charleston Harbor; the sinking of the Ironclad Weehawken (the official report to Adm. Dahlgren is present); the Swamp Angel; prisoner ship conditions; meeting slaves seeking freedom with him and his vessels; the Election of Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation; attacks on Fort Fisher in 1865; Harpers Ferry, and much, more more.

A prolific and descriptive writer, Stuyvesant’s letters range from 1-16pp, nearly all of them at least 3 pages, with regular communication home to his mother, to whom he would give detailed description of events and plans, some confidential, which he cautioned her against showing the newspapers.

About Moses Stuyvesant

Moses Sherwood Stuyvesant was born in Indiana in 1841 and was appointed to the Naval Academy by his Congressman in 1856. Although no one knew it at the time, this was the last class before the Civil War, a class that soon would be divided, with students from North and South going off to fight against each other, classmate against classmate. The Naval Academy itself was young. His was only the 6th graduating class there.

On June 15, 1860, Stuyvesant graduated from Annapolis and served as Midshipman, first on the U.S.S. Paunee, then on the Powhatan, cruising in the latter in the Gulf of Mexico. He was then transferred to the U.S.S. Cumberland as aide to Commodore George J. Pendergrast, the Cumberland being his flagship. Stuyvesant spoke Spanish and acted as interpreter between Pendergrast and Mexican President Benito Juarez, then ruling in that Republic. Stuyvesant was still with the Cumberland when war erupted and the vessel went to Norfolk, Virginia. While there, the Navy Yard was partly destroyed and abandoned, and the Cumberland was placed on blockade duty, and took part in the capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark. Writing of this last, Stuyvesant calls attention to the fact that “it was probably the last fight in which a ship was handled under sail. All other vessels present were steamships, and the older officers must have enjoyed observing the old time frigate Cumberland, as she worked into position every morning and ran off shore at night for an offing under sail.”

On March 8, 1862, the old frigate Cumberland was sunk by the powerful guns of the ironclad Merrimac (formerly known as the Virginia). This was a historic event and saw an epic clash between old and new technology. Stuyvesant reportedly refused to let the flag come down: “No, the ship will sink in fifteen minutes, and she will look a d-d sight better with her flag up.” In this battle he was wounded in the arm and commanded two crews of survivors who manned land guns during the next day’s battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. He later wrote a famous paper describing the sinking of the Cumberland.

In 1862, now a Lieutenant with the U.S. Steam Sloop Housatonic, he was of the blockading fleet off Charleston, part of the time in command of the Gunboat Marblehead. With incredible ill luck, he became not only a survivor of the first ship sunk by an ironclad but also the first ship sunk by a submarine. In early 1864, the Housatonic, was outside Charleston when the CSS Hunley paddled out and sent her to the bottom.

He was then assigned to the Monitor Weehawken. The Weehawken sank at her anchors while off Charleston, Stuyvesant being the last to leave her. His next duty was on the U.S. Steam Frigate Minnesota, then in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and he was with her in both attacks on Fort Fisher in December 1864 and January 1865.

In 1864, he married the granddaughter of former Naval Secretary, merchantman, and privateer Benjamin Crowninshield.

In 1866, he was assigned to the double turreted U.S. Steamer Miantonomah, and, as her Commander, then having the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, he made with her the memorable cruise across the Atlantic and through the North Sea, the Baltic and then through the Mediterranean, in 1866 and 1867. This was part of a visit to Russia ordered by Congress. In 1868, he was ordered to join the Wateree, then at Callao, Peru. While at Arica, on August 13, 1868, he was Executive Officer during the great earthquake and following tidal wave that occurred at that time. The Wateree was carried on land about three miles north of Arica and landed high and dry at that point about 1200 feet east of and 15 feet above high water mark, where part of the ship still remains. This biography of Stuyvesant was adapted from a helpful one authored by Douglas Niermeyer, Commander.

The archive of letters; a historical treasure

Stuyvesant was an eyewitness to significant events as they unfolded in the South. He discusses at length in most cases: the last graduating Naval Academy class before the onset of the Civil War; abolitionist John Brown; on-sight negotiations to end the war in Mexico that brought Benito Juarez to power; the scuttling of Norfolk Harbor and the Merrimac; the Capture of Fort Hatteras; the Trent Affair; the famed sinking of the USS Cumberland by the Merrimac; the Peninsula Campaign and McClellan; Battle of Drury’s Bluff, the First and Second Battles of Charleston Harbor; the sinking of the Ironclad Weehawken; the Swamp Angel; prisoner ship conditions; slavery; attacks on Fort Fisher; much, more more.

A letter archive of this size from one person, let alone to one person, is very rarely seen on the market.

The archive begins with his trip to enter the Naval Academy in September / October of 1856 and contains many rich details about life, academics, and the characters there. We learn about methods of testing, his results, daily life, his hopes for the future, the Naval Academy in 1860 and evolving campus, events, balls, training expeditions starting in 1857, and current affairs. The letters read as intelligence sent from the front, each letter filled with front line details and less on personal matters.

The Naval Academy, with scenes of schooling and a growing conflict between cadets over slavery and secession

– Letter appointing MSS as Acting Midshipman, October 2, 1856, signed by the acting Secretary of the Navy.

– Various report cards showing his grades and rank

– Large and very detailed, multi-column report card from June 1857 showing the names, grades and rank of every student in class, signed Prof. Henry Lockwood, a copy from the original belonging to the school, probably requested by MSS to show his rank as number 1.

October 8, 1856 – “I think that you are mistaken as to the moral character of the Academy… As to my anti-slavery principles, they are too well grounded to be removed here. But there are a good many Fremonters here to stand by me who declare their preference without fear. There appears to be none of that ridiculous spirit of intolerance here that would prosecute a man for his opinion. Anti slavery can certainly stand its ground here. I am room with the son of a negro trader of Missouri who says that ‘his father moves more n–gers when they are cheap than when they are dear. Sometimes he has only a hundred and sometimes 200 according to the rise and fall in the market. He is a contemptible specimen of humanity. I got permission to room with somebody else the other day.”

June 2, 1857 – “I am going to ‘astonish the natives’ at the examination and show them what a western man and a live abolitionist can do. See if I don’t. They seem to regard the West and more especially Cincinnati as inferior to the East and they often poke me about coming from ‘Hogopolis’ and yet Hogopolis is going to pass No. 1 or else the Comet will strike.”

January 15, 1859 – “The slavery question is becoming more and more discussed everyday…. It is easier to get up a fight on this subject than on any other. I think it is a safe rule never to discuss this question with any man of greater weight than yourself. It is quite provoking to hear the ‘high spirited Southerners’ talk. They have taken the cue from their daddies I presume and seem to take it for granted that the South is the only part of the Union whose nights are worthy of regard. Some of them dare to talk disunion as grandly as their Senators at Washington and then I feel amused for they almost invariably boast of the South’s ability to protect itself from aggression….”

Harpers Ferry and John Brown

November 6, 1859 – “The Maryland State Elections came off a day or two ago in favor of the Democrats. Whereat the good people of this ancient Burg rejoiced exceedingly and put into requisition one kettle drum, forty dogs, and two tar barrels in honor of the event. They have however recovered and are as staid and quiet as ever. The Harpers Ferry affair is much talked of and people seem to fear a general foray from the North to rescue old Brown and his associates in case the Virginians attempt to hang him. It is funny to hear some of them talk…. The first class to which I belong have to practice firing at a target with this celebrated Kansas rifle – at ranges of from 100 to 700 yards. The target is of board cut in the shape of a man and is christened by the proslavers ‘Ossawatamie Brown.’ I am inclined to think that ‘Old Brown’ would be willing to take the board’s place and stand target at two cents per shot and he would live to enjoy the money he made by the operation.”

March 30, 1860 – “There is a smart mulatto man here who has an offer to go to an academy in Pennsylvania where they will give him a good education without any expense to himself except that he has to furnish his own books and I am now doing my first piece of work for the negroes by gathering up books, stationery and other mathematical instruments for him. He is very talented and speaks as good England as any white man… He has lately purchased his freedom. He could have been sold for $2,000 but his master sold him to himself for $1,000. Two years ago he built and put a little steam engine into one of our boats…”

April 1860 – “I sat for my photograph the other day and got a good picture. The artist has taken those of all the class. They will be bound into a book, each one getting a copy. He got a picture of the Students quarters and of the Ship and also of the Battalion today. I have told him to bind copies of them with the other pictures in my book so that I shall be able to set you down in the middle of the Academy next summer and show you all its nooks and corners.”

The Ship Pawnee

June 18, 1860 – “I received orders on Saturday to join the Ship Pawnee lying here without delay… She is merely going on a trial trip to last probably a week…. I have also to tell you that your hopeful graduated at the head of the class and won the prize which is a finely finished sword and belt with a flattering inscription on the hilt.”

The Pawnee is sent to Vera Cruz, where MSS is first hand witness to meetings with Benito Juarez and fighting

August 27, 1860 – “I received orders on Friday transferring me to the Pawnee to the Powhatan laterly returned from a three years cruise to Japan… We are bound for Vera Cruz and the Gulf of Mexico in consequence of some anticipated troubles there with the Spaniards.” There are detailed letters describing his trip to Vera Cruz on the Powhatan.

October 20, 1860 – “Thirty six Spanish ships with 30000 troops are expected to be here about the 1st of December to take Vera Cruz… there will be need of all the ships of war we can collect here…. This is a hard country and it is in constant dread of attack and pillage. The market is therefore illy supplied and the arrival or departure of one of our ships makes a sensible difference in the prices of things….”

In Mexico, they await news of Lincoln’s election: “Lincoln is President. There are several fire eaters and Mississippi riflemen on board who were continually saying what they would do in the event of Lincoln’s election”

November 17, 1860 – “The President of Mexico Juarez and Minister McLane were aboard us last Monday. All the officers had to rig in full dress to receive him. He is rather small, of dark color, has a very intelligent expression – did not seem to have much to say… Four salutes were fired – two by us with the Mexican Flag hoisted at the main and two by a Fort on shore in return for the compliment… I was in the room at the time (of the meeting between Juarez and McLane) and had another opportunity of seeing the man whom the Mexicans think best fitted to lead their fortunes. The same evening about twenty ladies came off to the ship and staid until half past nine. There was music and dancing and a great deal of drinking…. We are now speculating upon the Presidential news that will reach us tomorrow in the Tennessee and wondering when we will look for our pay in case the Union is dissolved. Some propose turning our good old ship into a slavery, others propose the cotton carrying trade, while some think it would pay to take her to the states and sell her to the party which will bid highest for her… you can imagine the uncertainty we are in…. The Tennessee is in at last and Lincoln is President – the best news I have had in many days. The excitement among us was very great – officers were fidgeting around in half crazy condition from the moment she was signed until she dropped her anchor and our boat brought back the mail. There are several dire eaters and Mississippi riflemen on board who were continually saying what they would do in the event of Lincoln’s election – it is wonderful and amusing to see how their wind has chopped around. They talked of resigning before his election. Now they admit so much to say that rotation in office is nothing more than fair…. I could not help thinking that if these Mexicans prize so highly the little liberty they possess, what a villain must the American be who would wish to destroy our Union, the preserver of liberty.”

Lincoln as President, talk of disunion and resignations

December 24, 1860 – on board Powhatan in Vera Cruz – “The greatest anxiety is felt by all here about the decision of the Disunion question… I see that South Carolina has called upon all her sons in the Army or Navy to resign. Two Lieutenants on this ship are Palmettos but I think they will hold to their commissions until affairs are more decided one way or the other. As for myself, I hardly know what to expect in event of Disunion unless it be a long leave of absence. Somebody will have to go to sea for there will be as great necessity for a Navy after as before dissolution… It seems hard to calculate so cooly upon the chances in case of the destruction of our government… All officers much as they regret it still regard [secession] as a sure thing and are thinking of the course they shall pursue. I believe that every officer in the service of government abroad has not business to resign at the present moment and more if he does so with the intention of of going home to promote disunion that he is an ungrateful and unprincipled man. The noise and calculation by the mere rumor of Shubrick’s intention to resign should be sufficient to deter any true American officer from throwing up his commission…. In the event of disunion then it is every man for himself and I want to be in this ship when it comes for and mostly Northerners and we would probably take her to a Northern port.”

As Mexico City falls, news arrives of South Carolina’s secession

Jan 3 1861 – “The CIty of Mexico has been taken by the Liberalists about the 23rd of December… Bands of music paraded through all the streets but no speeches made. Juarez is to go up in a few days to Mexico in order to take formal possession… About my coming home home soon I have bad news. I will be transferred to the Cumberland in a few days to be Flag Officers Aid… The chief advantage consists in that she is a sailing ship not a steamer which will give me better opportunity of learning my profession than I could have in this or any other steamship… News has come by the Mail Steamer from Havana of the Secession of South Carolina. In their present excited state they may attempt to take Fort Multrie, so that we expected to be moved in Squadron to Charleston…. Another rumor out is to the effect that we will go soon to Pensacola to get wood and water as the brokers ashore have refused to honor US drafts.”

“It looks quite too late to hope for any reconciliation or preservation of the union”

January 19, 1861 – “The papers bring us bad news… It looks quite too late to hope for any reconciliation or preservation of the union… it has brought sorry to all here in this squadron. All deplore it. Every one looks as if a dear friend had died. Two Lieutenants from South Carolina have resigned – the purser and Midshipmen Read – all from seceding states have also sent in their resignations, thus depriving this ship alone of four of her officers… The flag officer has received despatches from Government but refuses to let us know anything until the Tennessee, our only means of communication with the states, shall have left. It is reported and supposed from this peculiar conduct that we are all ordered to Pensacola to take the forts there now in the hands of the Floridians… I must close now with hopes and wishes that you may be in no danger…”

The Pawnee is ordered to return to protect the Union

February 17, 1861 – “This ship and the Pocahantas [have] orders to sail immediately for Hampton Roads.”

MSS is appointed acting Master of the Cumberland

February 20, 1861 – “I am appointed Acting Master of this Ship (Cumberland). My appointment however is not valid until confirmed by the Secretary of the Navy.”

Scenes of pro-Secessionist sentiments and growing militantism in Virginia; a speech by Sen. Richard Pryor; the ladies are mostly secessionists, fond of singing Dixie

April 9, 1861 – [now at Hampton roads] – “The Portsmouth people declare that in case Virginia secedes they will take part with the US seeing the Navy Yard which is in their district and hold it for the government. The young bloods ashore have formed themselves into companies and drill nightly. I suppose they could muster 300 in case of necessity. Every youngster I meet has a uniform on or else a secession cap and they are quite fond of pulling on imaginary mustaches, talking fierce secessionist talk all the while. The ladies are mostly secessionists, fond of singing Dixie and pitch right and left into officers hailing from Northern states…. Roger A. Pryor [senator, secessionist] spoke here the other night and outrageous as was his language found men to hear him through… when a man in his senses can face his neighbors and talk in such an indecent manner he must be a villain himself… Our ship is off the town always presenting in that direction a battery of 12 heaviest class of Navy guns and always ready for such customers as stole our forts in Florida and elsewhere. It would be a most disagreeable necessity but there are few of our officers who are not willing to obey all orders coming from our constitutionally elected President and should it come to the worst, to treat these fellows as we would any other enemy.”

“Several of our officers hailing from Virginia have already resigned with their states but a few from Virginia and Kentucky have expressed their determination to stand by the stars and stripes at all hazards”

The Merrimac iron clad is threatened

April 16, 1861 – “Virginia is expected to go out of the Union today. Several of our officers hailing from Virginia have already resigned with their states but a few from Virginia and Kentucky have expressed their determination to stand by the stars and stripes at all hazards… The excitement is growing very fast ashore. Ladies, children, everybody stirring for secession. The idle young men about town talk about taking the N. Yard and this ship and I expect will make some attempt as soon as the state secedes. They have telegraphed for permission to take the Merrimack. She is now fitting out at the yard and if she can escape their clutches will take to the sea Thursday…. Yesterday some of the secessionist artillery came down to the shore and fired a solute of 100 guns in honor of the Sumpter attack… The crew are equally patriotic and would show well in a fight, judging from some sham battles we have had. I would hate the idea of fighting Americans were it not that they have seemed so anxious for war… They hate us: they were overjoyed when they of the attack and capture of Sumpter from people of their own blood…. The time has come for every man to declare either for or against the Administration and for any man or paper to favor south under the present circumstances is little other than treason.

April 24 – “.. We have run from Norfolk….with the alternative of surrendering the whole, we have burnt, sunk and destroyed as much of the federal property at the N. Yard as we possibly could. It was the biggest fire and the most entire destruction that I have ever seen. We left about 4 in the morning, a sea of fire over about 4 square miles extent and consisting of 2 ship houses, 4 line of battle ships, 1 frigate worth 1.5 million dollars, three sloops….This was done by four parties from this ship in charge of our officers. We are very proud of it, although the papers here called us vandals, burning devils.”

The Cumberland and MSS played a central role in the intentional sabotage of the Merrimac and Norfolk Harbor.

First hand account of the scuttling of the vessels in Norfolk harbor, including the Merrimac. Interestingly, Stuyvesant was among those who sunk the Merrimac, which, after it was salvaged by the Confederates, would sink his own ship.

April 25, 1861 – “Matters continued in this matter until Virginia went out, when her militia commenced pouring into Norfolk, heavy artillery came down from Richmond… and finally batteries to be erected in the neighborhood of the ship. This last was an overt act and our flag officer sent official notice that unless such work ceased immediately, we would open fire on them. They sent back word that no batteries would be erected. Then they sunk vessels, stole schooners and scuttled them in the channel to prevent us from getting out of Norfolk. It soon became evident that the US could not hold on to their property in the midst of a thickly settled enemy’s country and the order went forth to save what could be saved and destroy the remainder…. Parties [were] sent ashore to destroy the arms and stores that we could not take away… The fine screw frigate Merrimac was scuttled…. It was a great pity to destroy her but necessity knows no law. The train was laid on all the other ships – the liners Pennsylvania, Delaware and Columbus, the frigates Raritan, Columbia, U. States, Sloops Plymouth, Germany and Brig Dolphin… Five houses, the large ordnance building, the two enormous ship houses, all the store buildings were to be included in several conflagrations… At 4 in the morning, every was read and a rocket was fired from the Pawnee which had brought down the orders for wholesale destruction – and almost on the instant, the the whole scene was lighted up and fire all around the vessels, sinking, burning, and flames and smoke rising as high as your Cathedral…. It was a breathless moment as we reached the barriers at full speed [attempting to leave harbor]. No one knew but that the old ship would there meet her fate at last. She grounded on the sunken wrecks with some violence but did not start a timber. We lay there hard and fast, the steamers tugging to get us off with full head of steam on and finally succeeded in getting over all the obstructions taking with us the better of a schooner which stuck to our bottom…. Yesterday we captured the first prize of war., a schooner laden with gun carriages bound for a port in North Carolina, and a steam tug employed by Virginia to tow her up to Norfolk.”

May 7, 1861 – “A great many officers are resigning every day and those who remain faithful are pushed up quite rapidly.”

In August 1861, Fort Hatteras and Fort Clark on Hatteras Island in North Carolina were captured by the Union after a combined naval and land attack. This victory was significant as it marked the first Union win of the Civil War, boosted Union morale, and opened up the strategically important North Carolina Sounds to Union control

The surrender of the Confederates at Hatteras.

September 4, 1861 – “Commodore Barrow, Actg Secretary of the Confederate Navy and N. Carolina, etc… said decidedly that the Navy had taken his fort and to the Navy only would he surrender. This strong remark was elicited by Gen. Butler’s wishing the Fort and accessions to be surrendered to one of his aides… After it surrendered, the Fort was taken possession of by Marines from our frigates in commander of Lt. Heywood of this ship… rebel flags turned over to Flag Officer Stringham.”

The Cumberland resumes its disruption and blockade duty

Sept 14 – “Our duty is to shut off water communication between Richmond and Norfolk and to prevent rebel stamers up the river from getting to sea. They seized two fine sea steamers at the beginning of the war and have been busy ever since in getting them out as men of war… A seaman from the Yorktown, one of three steamers, succeeded in deserting yesterday and brought a great deal of information. Some of her officers belonged to this ship before resigning… I hope you will not publish any of my letters again because I would not write better ones for the papers I would write different ones from those I would send you.. There are five rebel batteries in sight from our anchorage intended to command the Elizabeth, Nansemond and James Rivers…”

What follows are many letters describing the preparations for an attack, watching the Confederates preparing fortifications on shore, and continuing to patrol as a blockade vessel.

The Cumberland and Union vessels receive runaway slaves and gather intelligence from them on the salvaged Merrimac and the number of troops

November 6, 1861 – “Some excitement has arisen from the frequent arrival of runaway slaves from up the river… They have made their preparations for running and we may expect them to be coming down to us for weeks to come… there are plenty more waiting for dark night and a good opportunity to stampede. Some of these runaways are quite intelligent and give straight forward and credible accounts of the state of things secessia….They agree however in saying that there are 7000 men in and about Norfolk well clothed and fed but poorly armed. The Merrimac they say is in dock yet and not plated over with iron. The first lot came down from Richmond last week and they describe it as being in strips about a foot wide and five or six inches thick…. It seems that their masters have been telling the slaves that if they ran away, the Yankees would sell them in Cuba for money to carry on the war…. They began to fear that the Southerner would have to sell them for the same reason and hence the stampede….”

“All the slaves in this section seem to be on the move”

November 8, 1861 – “All the slaves in this section seem to be on the move – quite a number have escaped to the Potomac Flotilla and to other points in possession of our forces. A flag of truce from Norfolk yesterday told us that our expedition were attacking Port Royal, the fleet being busy in bombarding it and that several of our gunboats had gone ashore and were likely to be captured by the rebels. As they usually fib outrageously, and do not give a brilliant account of their own success in this case, I feel sure that Port Royal and Beaufort with it are in possession of our forces by this time… A rebel soldier was taken this morning by an outlying party from the camp ashore who told quite a long story about the doings of the rebels and concluded by saying they were expecting every day to be attacked… it is an axiom that all secessionists are liars.”

The Trent Affair was a diplomatic crisis during the American Civil War when the Union Navy captured two Confederate envoys from the British mail ship Trent. The capture of James Mason and John Slidell, who were en route to Europe to seek recognition of the Confederacy, led to a near-war diplomatic incident between the United States and Great Britain

November 16, 1861 – Mason and Slidell are prisoners in Fort Monroe having been taken out of an English Str. by the San Jacinto. This will probably raise a wind in England and I hope it will. We will then know whether she is friend or enemy…. An expedition in boats left this ship the other night about 1 oclock to burn a large canal boat loaded with stores which the rebels had towed up from Norfolk and left under the guns of Pig’s point…. [a detailed description of the operation continues]…From some escaped contrabands we heard that our canister had killed nine men…”

The USS Cumberland was sunk by the CSS Virginia, previously the Merrimac before it was converted into an ironclad, during the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 8, 1862. The Virginia rammed and sank the Cumberland. The battle was significant as it was the first naval battle between ironclad warships.

March 10, 1862 – Telegraph reporting his safety after the sinking of the Cumberland. “Am ashore safe”

March 10, 1862 – Signed telegraph reporting his safety after the sinking of the Cumberland. “Am at Fort Monroe with light flesh wound in the arm.”

The Peninsula Campaign, with the support of MSS’s new vessel, the Housatonic; “We are too far up the river for the Merrimac to attempt us… you have no idea the excitement every appearance of her occasions.”

May 10, 1862 – An attempt to take Richmond. “Found us underway in company with the ironclad Galena and Aroostook standing up the road in expectation of a fight from the Merrimac while running her blockade…. We passed up the river and about twelve miles up the river engaged and silenced a battery on the left bank…While there we saw the rebel Steamers Jamestown and Yorktown some distance above us. About four miles further up we came on to another heavier battery with at least two good rifled cannon beside ten or twelve smooth bore guns of pretty large caliber. After firing sometime during which our dismounted one of their guns and did very good firing, the Galena went in closer and engaged the rebels while we ran by, firing rapidly as we went…. unfortunately the Galena grounded just below Hog Island and remained there until this morning…Our object in coming here is to cooperate with McClellan…. We are too far up the river for the Merrimac to attempt us… you have no idea the excitement every appearance of her occasions.”

“The people here hardly believe their eyes when they see the stars and stripes advanced so far into Dixie. The blacks certainly do not know what to make of it.”

May 12, 1862 – “On the road to Richmond.” “On coming up with the rebel earthworks we found them to be deserted on account of McClellan’s army being somewhere in the vicinity…. Just now we got our anchor again and the little fleet is steaming into Secessia at the rate of eight miles an hour…. a long time before we reach the capital of Rebeldom…. The people here hardly believe their eyes when they see the stars and stripes advanced so far into Dixie. The blacks certainly do not know what to make of it. Some of them came off at different points but they were always sent ashore again we had obtained all the information they possessed…. Private property is respected by us altogether too much in my opinion.”

Detailed description of the Battle of Drury’s Bluff, a 16 page first hand account

The Unpublished Naval Academy Journal-at-Sea of Future Civil War Hero and Naval Lieutenant Commander Moses Sherwood Stuyvesant

Around 200 rich pages showing life aboard the training voyage, carrying the last graduate class before the outbreak of war and secession; This class would go on to fight against each other

A fascinating, narrative glimpse showing how the ship was run, describing their encounters with European crewmen and officers during their trip, the details of their daily lives, and much, much more

Acquired from the descendants of Stuyvesant and never before offered for sale

The Naval Academy Training Voyages

The first annual midshipman training cruise took place in 1861 aboard the steamer John Hancock and sloop-of-war Preble. There was no summer practice cruise in 1861 with the outbreak of the Civil War and the academy’s move to its temporary home in Newport, Rhode Island. This practice continued, interrupted by World War II (which restricted summer cruises to Chesapeake Bay) until 1958, when the academy instituted the modern practice of distributing midshipmen among active ships of the fleet.

The U.S. Naval Academy class of 1860 was a significant graduating class, as the Civil War broke out shortly after their graduation. Many of these graduates went on to serve in the war, some for the North and some for the South. The graduation date was June 1860.

The Journal

Autograph manuscript signed, 1859, approximately 200 pages, nearly 150 narrative, “Private journal of a cruise in the US Sloop of War Plymouth,” signed by MS Stuyvesant, boards and a couple pages present but separated. Book otherwise in fine condition. The book starts with the final exam at Annapolis and life there and then tracks the vessel in this transatlantic voyage to northern and southern Europe and its return and ends with notes on rigging, along with drawings by MS. The book is replete with nautical details and information on how they ran and maintained their vessel. With rich details covering every aspect of the trip and the other people he met. With a table of contents, reading:

– Muster
– On Liberty at Plymouth
– Brest
– Not on Liberty at Cadiz
– Funchal
– Stretch of daily life on the practice ship
– A few minutes in a fishing smack
– Send up and down standsail boom
– Reckoning of he ship from Sept 4th to Sept 9th
– Stripping the mission mast
“General quarters”
Notes on Rigging

There are also extensive measurements in lines and columns at various points during the voyage, recording longitude, latitude and other marks.

Small selection of short excerpts, being a very tiny portion of the voluminous content

Annapolis, June 18, 1859. “…Examination ended yesterday and left me a first classman at last.”

June 27. “The ship entered the Gulf Stream at about 7 AM. The temperature of the water became greatly diminished and the water filled with floating seaweed. This weed is of a beautiful color and contrasts well with the dark blue sea…. Had music from our band again and I felt quite sentimental while they were playing ‘Home Sweet Home.'”

July 3. “Divine service was performed on the gun deck and very impressively. Worship always seems a much more solemn affair at sea than ashore, probably because there we see more plainly our need of divine protection.

July 7. “Crossed the southern end of the Grand Banks today. Saw many French fishing smacks. We boarded one of them and bought some fresh codfish…. The crew, which was about a dozen in number, was busily engaged in baiting their lines, which are of hemp… with hooks like a trot line. These are coiled in large baskets clear for running and ready baited with a small herring caught at Newfoundland… The fish are taken only during the night.” Discusses more about their captain, boat and fish they bought.

July 11. “Saw several sail today one of which showed English colors. She crowded sail and tried to overtake us as soon as she made us out, but we soon lost her astern. Porpoises were playing around our bows all day and several attempts were made to harpoon one of them. We finally succeeded in capturing a very large one.” He has drawn the porpoise.

Plymouth, England

July 21. “Land was sighted for the first time in over three weeks. Everybody jumped when they heard the shout ‘Land ho’.”

July 22. “At daylight we saw the first of England, the Light House on Lizard point… As it against the rules of the English service to return salutes from ships of less than 10 guns, we only carrying eight, this customary courtesy was omitted in our instance… Huge ships of the line in ordinary, in the docks for repairs, the wonderful docks themselves large enough for the largest vessel in their service, the immense ship houses – the black and dismantled relics of ships that have figured perhaps in the battles which gave England her naval superiority. The gunboats of the war in the Crimean.’ MS describes now going up to the “Queen’s Citadel” and taking a tour of the fortifications and town. “The 10th regiment which is stationed here at present, but lately returned from India, where they have been during the last 17 years. They were shut up in Lucknow [siege during the Indian Rebellion just 2 years prior) at the memorable siege of that city and many of them showed medals which they had won at the wars.” He continues to describe the town of Plymouth, attire of the people and soldiers, and food.

Brest, France

“I met several French midshipmen, who seemed inclined to show us the ropes. They treated us strangers very kindly, indeed. In this respect the distance, the English midshipmen as the latter left us to shift for ourselves when we were sure at Plymouth. I visited the dock yard, and saw much that pleased me, but it is much inferior in every respect to the one at Plymouth. I noticed among other things a large, floating battery that had figured in the Crimean war. They were several old ships of war, old fashioned French frigates that I’d probably sell them for against the English… old line of battleships that may have had a part in the former hand-to-hand engagements with Spanish galleons. They’re very antique appearance seemed to suggest the same thoughts to each of our little party. In the imagination of each of us was doubtless with the nautical scenes of warfare of the 16th and 17th centuries, during the profound silence, which ensued as we can before the time worn relics of past years… The Navy Yard was guarded by a large number of noted gendarmes of France. From the yard we went to a large Catholic church… I also went to the boulevards, where we saw a regiment of the French conscripts at drill, and a great many of the inhabitants, looking on at the really fine spectacle…. I went with several others of my class to the French naval school, which is a large old fashioned ship fit it up with lockers for the close of the midshipmen on the birth deck, and writing desks on the gundeck. It requires two years to finish the course of study. Their examination upon entering the school is made at the place from which they are appointed. It is very severe and requires a thorough knowledge of algebra, geometry, and a good ethical education…. There were only seven of these midshipmen aboard at the time. These treated us in a very Frenchie manner, showing us around the ship, and answering our 10,000 questions with the greatest cheerfulness… Before getting up anchor, our ship was visited by the French admiral. He was received with the honors due to his position. He expressed great satisfaction of the appearance of our ship.”

July 31. “Shortly after dinner, we received a visit from around 20 French midshipmen. We try to repay their kindness of yesterday by showing them around the ship and explaining here and there what seemed unintelligible. They are not nursed half so tenderly as our uncle Sams progeny, and have a great many things to do which we would think absolutely degrading. They evidently did not have as high an estimate of themselves as we have of ourselves while the zeal with which they looked into our arrangements seems to vindicate that they may make better officers. I heard this morning that the gale which forced us to return to port, drove a French ship of war ashore near the mouth of the harbor with the loss of all on board.”

August 5 – Now in Bay of Biscay, the are on board and MS gives a multipage description of daily life, hour by hour, including education and food served.

Aug 9 – “The sea was rolling and heaving us about according to the most approved notions of novel riders. And we talked, sang, and thought of Home and the girls we left behind us… We made good progress today, and are now about off the city of Porto Inn Portugal.”

Cadiz

Aug 13 – “Today was a great disappointment. We waited all the morning for the authorities to take us off of quarantine and permit us to land. But I guess that the $30 million loan of President Buchanan was sticking in their Spanish throats, for they would not give us the desired permit, although we showed to their satisfaction, but there was no sickness on board.”

Funchal, Madeira – “At 3 o’clock this morning, Madera came in to sight. We rapidly approached it with a fine gallant breeze, carrying us until we came in sight of the city of Funchal, where the wind failed us, as we were lying under the leader of an island… As we came into the harbor, the flag sloop constellation made her number. She belongs to the African squadron and is on her way to the coast. She has for midshipmen several of the class that graduated at the Academy last summer. They appear to like their new life very well. Their ship made the passage in only eight days. There are two or three merchant vessels in the harbor, not so many as I expected to see. One little steamer is also here, fit it out for exploring the river Niger. The Harbor is covered almost with small boats many of which came alongside soon after the ship anchored and offered for sale a great variety of fruit, flowers made from birds, feathers by the nuns at the convent, fancy baskets of every conceivable shape, beautiful work boxes, writing, desks, rulers, card, cases, etc.… several boats contained little naked and dirty urchins, who would dive after small coins… They seemed perfectly at home in the water, and played around the ship for a half hour at a time, swimming, diving, floating, like fish without the least apparent fatigue. Some people also came on board to take our washing. Among them was Madame Rosa a time honored celebrity at this place, and a man bearing the name of Emanuel Jesus.”

He gives a very detailed description of Funchal.

Aug 18 – “I spent the day for the most part in eating fruit. Bananas, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, nuts are brought along side by gunboats in the greatest abundance of each meal, and sold at moderate prices. I keep my locker filled continually and eat nearly all the time most of the afternoon I was on the quarterdeck, looking through spyglass at the city and Harbor and examining mysteries of which I hope to have any review tomorrow.”

Aug 19 – immediately, upon landing, we were received by Mann offering us Horses to write about the city. We chose a guide and went first to the American councils place, which is prettily layed out and has many foreign trees, one of which we were informed was the famous banyan tree… we left the consuls, and each of us selecting a horse from among about 100 that were offered us. We rode to a hotel and order dinner for the party. Thence, we took the road up the mountain after going through several streets, well shaded with trees.. The priest came by as we were at this place, but did not like a spine into the mysteries of his charge, as he rather roughly, requested us to leave. After drinking some of the wine of the islands at a small wine house in the shadow of the church we took a sled and rode down the mountain in this novel carriage, actually enjoying the luxury of a sleigh ride in mid summer…. We enjoyed our sleigh ride fastly, and upon reaching the foot of the mountain to courses again, and went to the hotel to hurry up our dinner, as we were very hungry. But finding that we were unable to get it sooner than the time at which we had ordered it to be ready, we rode to the convent. The nuns here make a great variety of fancy articles for sale. Flowers from the dyed feathers of seabirds, fine shawls for the summer of linen thread…To make these articles sell well, very pretty nuns are chosen as sales women. It was worth money to have the pleasure of bargaining with them.… From the convent, we went to make our purchases, going first to the fancy bazaar, where we were decidedly bit. I have heard the Machite performed by a native…. Returning on board, I found that the US slope of war Marion had come into the Harbor during our absence for sure. She is in want of officers, and her crew consists partly of Krooman shipped in Africa, along the coast of what she has been cruising.

Aug 20 – “As we passed the constellation, we manned the weather rigging all of us, and gave three rousing chairs, and one more to the Commodore, which were returned in kind. As we passed the Merion, she paid us the same compliment…. The very words homeward bound has had us all by the heels, and all hands from the cook up act as if they were on a drunk.”

A very detailed description of the journey before returning to Hampton Roads.

September 17 – “One of the boats were sent to ashore this morning and had an eventful time. The seas were very rough and toss the boat about like a nutshell so that it’s progress. Sure, Ward was very slow. But some accident then the boats crew got liquor and drunk and while on the return, the coxswain got to be very mutinous. He was accordingly knocked down, secured, and left on an adjacent pilot in charge of some in there. This morning he was brought on board sobered and put in irons.”

A very detailed description of bringing the ship back home

Then follows 46 pages of notes and a few drawings, which MS has called “Notes on Rigging.”