Gideon Welles was an American government official who was the United States Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869, a cabinet post he was awarded after supporting Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 election. Although opposed to the Union blockade of Southern ports, he duly carried out his part of the Anaconda Plan, largely sealing off the Confederate coastline and preventing the exchange of cotton for war supplies. This is viewed as a major cause of Union victory in the Civil War, and his achievement in expanding the Navy almost tenfold was widely praised. Welles was also instrumental in the Navy's creation of the Medal of Honor. Lincoln nicknamed him his "Neptune".
Washington Washington, April 5, 1861. Capt. SAMUEL MERCER, Commanding U. 8. 8S. Powhatan, New York: Sir: The United States steamers Powhatan, Pawnee, Pocahontas, and Harriet Lane will compose a naval…
Tort McHEnRy Tort McHEnRy, April 20, 1861. Col. L. THomas, Adjutant-General U. 8S. Army: I shall probably be attacked to-night, but believe I can hold the post. JNO. C. ROBINSON,…
NAvy DEPARTMENT NAvy DEPARTMENT, September 21, 1861. Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War: SIR: In view of the exposed and defenseless condition of the powder magazine at the navy-yard, Mare…
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward. Navy Department, October 24, 1861. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant and enclosures, and to…
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward. Navy Department, January 4, 1862. Sir: I have had the honor to receive your communication of the 31st ultimo, in reference to the conditional release…
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward. Navy Department, February 12, 1862. Sir: In compliance with your request of the 9th of December last, the department wrote for statements from the officers…
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward. Navy Department, May 20, 1862. Sir: I have the honor to invite your attention to the accompanying extract from a despatch, dated the 14th instant,…
La Grange, November 4, 1862. General C. S. HAMILTON, Commanding Left Wing, Army in the Field: GENERAL: Please get your men in camp as comfortable as you can on the…
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 6, 1863. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: SIR: Complaint has been made by William James, who was a passenger on board…
Washington, D. C., January 17, 1865. [Maj. H. A. ALLEN, Fort Warren, Mass. 😐 SIR: You will please discharge from Fort Warren the officers and seamen that were captured in…
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., January 17, 1865. [Maj. H. A. ALLEN, Fort Warren, Mass. : SIR: You will please discharge from Fort Warren the officers and seamen that were…
NAVY DEPARTMENT NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 30, 1865. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: SIR: In August last an expedition from the U. S. S. Saratoga captured in McIntosh County,…