Letter, 1863 December 14, Rumsey to Gillmore, with a review by Major Brooks, page 1

TitleLetter, 1863 December 14, Rumsey to Gillmore, with a review by Major Brooks, page 1
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CreatorRumsey

CollectionsThomas Benton Brooks Papers

Dates

Descriptive InformationLetter to Gillmore from Rumsey containing a proposal for building a spy boat. Rumsey's proposal includes detailed plans for a narrow metallic vessel, including the propelling power, ballast, doors, and roof. Gillmore responded that this plan is to be examined & reported upon by Major Brooks. Major Brooks wrote that the boat described is deficient in two ways, and he suggested that Rumsey be sent for and examined in reference to scouting duty.

Transcription[Letter] Folly Island, S. C. [South Carolina]; Dear General, If, after looking over these papers, you find the object of them impracticable, I hope you will forgive me for wasting so much of your valuable time. My motives are good, if my subject is not. The reg't [regiment] of which I am a member landed on this Island the morning of the 6th of last April, since which time they have passed through the siege of Morris Island and find themselves back on this Island again. Ever since I have been on this coast, and while viewing the many creeks and inlets, which intersect the land in every direction, I have often wondered why something in the shape of a boat has not been made by which we could approach the enemy by water, and not be seen by him. Coming to the conclusion that such a boat could be made, I have thought of several plans and have settled on the model before you as the best. I have carefully studied its several parts, and can find no impediments, which would hinder it from perform [performing]

LocationsFolly Island, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States(32.66046,-79.9312)

TopicsSouth Carolina--History
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Fort Sumter National Monument (Agency : U.S.)

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RightsU.S. Government Work Learn More