CLOSE OF A LETTER to Alexander Dallas Bache, SIGNED by REAR ADMIRAL SAMUEL FRANCIS DU PONT. by Du Pont, Samuel Francis (1803-1865). U.S. Navy Rear Admiral who captured San Diego in the Mexican-American War and played a role in the Civil War - [1862].

Circa [1862].. [1862].. Very good. - A thirteen word close of a letter penned on 2-3/4 inch high by 5-1/4 inch wide buff paper clipped from the end of a longer letter. "With best regard to Mrs. Bache / Believe me My Dear Professor / Yrs. Most Truly" Signed "S.F. Du Pont". On the verso are another five lines penned by Du Pont which, though without context as they come from the middle of the letter, are nonetheless intriguing: "... compel him to consider every officer's capacity & adaptability as the same is most absurd...." The right edge is slightly darkened and creased. <p>A member of the prominent Du Pont family, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont (1803-1865) was made commander of the California naval blockade following his capture of San Diego during the Mexican-American War. In order to enable more mobile operations, Du Pont supported engineering studies at the U.S. Naval Academy during the 1850s. He captured Port Royal and conducted an effective Union blockade during the Civil War. Given new Ironclad ships of the monitor type, Du Pont received orders to take Charleston, South Carolina. Although he believed the city could not be taken without putting troops ashore, Du Pont laid siege but was badly outgunned and forced back within a couple of hours. He was blamed for the failure and replaced by Rear Admiral Dahlgren.<p>The American physicist, scientist and surveyor Alexander Dallas Bache (1806-1867) erected coastal fortifications and conducted a survey to map America's mid-eastern coastline.<p>The idea for a "Blockade Board" was that of Alexander Bache. Assistant of the Navy Fox wrote to Du Pont: "have a board of persons .... condense all the vast information in the Engineers Department, Coast Survey, and Navy, for the use of the blockading squadron". He appealed to Du Pont who commanded the Philadelphia Navy Yard to "give up the Yard" and join the board. Du Pont commended Bache for his "invaluable suggestion" and joined the board, serving as Chairman.