Lee Family Digital Archive

“Extract of a dispatch from the Honble Secretary of the Navy. addressed to Commodore Perry bearing date the 23^rd of July 1847.

 

Extract

 

            “I have read with the liveliest satisfaction, your report of the conduct of the officers men under your command in your operations against Tobasco.  Success has signally crowned your enterprizes and while great credit is due to those who served under your flag, the Department is not insensible to your own highly meritorious share of the commendation which is justly due.  You have displayed skill valor and energy, have disregarded personal privations and exposure and done all which your country had a right to expect from you.”

 

General Order

No. 9

 

The Commander in Chief has great satisfaction in communicating to the Officers, Seamen and Marines under his command the enclosed extract of a dispatch from the Honble Secretary of the Navy bearing date the 23^rd Ulto.

 

(signed) M. C. Perry

Commanding Home Squadron

U S Flag Ship Germantown

Anton Lizardo August 18^th 1847

 

(verso)

 

 

US Flag Ship Mississippi

Anton Lizardo,[1] Augt 8th 1847

 

Sir

 

            It becomes my duty – a duty which I perform with great satisfaction to bring to the notice of the Department, the valuable services rendered by Lieut. Comdt. S. S. Lee, Lieuts Blunt and Maynard and Actg Master Henry Rodgers, not only from the commencement of the serious sickness which has prevailed in this Ship, but during the whole time they have been attached to her.

Being sick myself Imposed the fullest confidence in the zeal and judgement of Lieut. Comdt. Lee, and am under many obligations to him, and the officers who have so ably assisted him, and shall very much regret to loose the services of those Gentlemen, in the stations they now hold.

 

I am Sir,

With Great Respect

Your most obdt Servt

(signed) M. C. Perry

Commanding Home Squadron

 

To the Honorable John V. Mason

Secretary of the Navy

Washington City, D.C.

 

 

 

 

Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 3, M2009.206, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall

 

Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2015 November 24