Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

(Naval) 1847 (Apr. 1) U.S.S. Raritan, Vera Cruz, Mexico to Germantown Pa. Datelined folded letter carried privately and entered mails with "New Orleans La, Apr 6" cds and "10" rating handstamp, excellent naval content refers to Action of Naval Battery at Vera Cruz, "Two days since on my way to the fortification to take my turn in fighting our batteries…We commenced at daylight and fought for eight hours continually and we rec'd from 12 to 15 hundred cannon shot in our fortifications and lost only one officer., Mr. Shubrick and two men and we completely tore up their forts and drove the men from the guns of two others. It was tremendous. The fire we rec'd on our fort from three others for about three hours but we poured into them a wothering fire from our long thirty two pounders and eight inch shell guns. The bombs exploded around us continually and our powder and shot gave out. We had to wait for four hours for more and when we rec'd it the Mexicans had asked for a cessation of hostilities for three hours to bury their dead and it was granted. As soon as the time elapsed the bombardment opened again and I think we will have this town in our possession in three days. more for the destruction fire we pour into the city cannot be more than 500 yards off. Would to God that they would come to terms for our country is determined to carry on the war until victorious come what may…", Very Fine and interesting.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

The Army officer directing the fire of the Battery at Vera Cruz was Lt. Robert E. Lee. The "Raritan" was the flagship of Commodore David Conner, who was relieved by Commodore M.C. Perry in Mar. 1847.