Silas Stringham (1 results)

SILAS STRINGHAM (1798-1876). Stringham as a Navy officer who saw active service during the War of 1812, the Second Barbary War, the Mexican American War, and the Civil War. DS. 1 pg. 8 x 10. August 13, 1864. U.S. Navy Yard, Boston. A partially printed document signed S.H. Stringham and addressed to Midshipman Henry W. Lyon: Report, without delay to Commander A.G. Clary for duty on board the U.S.S. Dacotah, (temporarily). This document is an order from the Civil War by Silas Stringham, commandant of the Boston Navy Yard. This position was a relatively ignominious end to Stringhams long service in the United States Navy. He was present during the Little Belt affair in May 1811, and during the engagement with HMS Belvidera on June 23, 1812, both War of 1812 naval skirmishes. He later was part of Stephen Decatur's squadron in the Barbary Wars, Winfield Scotts Mexican American War bombardment of Vera Cruz, and commander of the Mediterranean Squadron. His final command was as Flag officer of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron, though he was relieved of that command and placed on the retired list owing to a dispute over returning to Fort Monroe during the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries. The USS Dacotah, named after the American Dakota tribe, served as a gunboat in the Union blockade. The blockade was a crucial Union military tactic because it cut off Confederate access to European goods and prevented the Confederacy from exporting its cotton. However, the ship was out of commission as it received maintenance in the Boston Navy Yard and would not see action for the rest of the Civil War. Henry W. Lyon would eventually achieve the rank of Rear Admiral himself and his son, Harry Lyon, would be the navigator for the first flight across the Pacific in 1928. The document is also signed in pencil by Clary, indicating that Lyon reported to him the same day as the order went out. The document is in fine condition.