A group of three (3) letters related to the service and death of Ensign Ambrose H. Edson aboard the U.S.S. Tuscumbia, including: 

1. Autograph letter signed by Ensign Ambrose H. Edson. U.S. Gunboat Tuscumbia, Mouth of Yazoo River, 30 March 1863. 4 pages, 8vo. 

2. Autograph letter signed by Edson. U.S. Gunboat Tuscumbia, below Vicksburg, 2 June 1863. 4 pages, 8vo. 

3. Autograph letter signed by Assistant Paymaster George A. Lyon. U.S. Gunboat Tuscumbia, 29 July 1863. 3 pages, 8vo, on U.S. Ship Tuscumbia, U.S. Mississippi Squadron letterhead. 

A collection of three letters related to Ensign Ambrose Hamilton Edson (1825-1863). The first two are some of the last letters Edson wrote home to his mother and sisters. The final letter is in regard to his untimely death aboard the U.S.S. Tuscumbia. 

Edson's letters provide excellent details regarding the naval movements in General Ulysses S. Grant's strategy to capture Vicksburg. 

His first letter describes their brief sojourn up the Tennessee River before moving south down the Mississippi to the mouth of the Yazoo near Vicksburg, speculating: "I do not know what our next movement will be, but it will probably be something soon, as the Admiral is not disposed to let us 'spoil' for want of something to do. The whole fleet is here, but some of the boats are much in want of repairs. There are many rumors of what our next movement is to be, but no one knows anything certain. The 'Indianola's' men are still prisoners, at least no one here knows to the contrary. I want to see William [S. Pease] very much, & shall strain every nerve to do so, as soon as he is exchanged."

In his second letter, he gives extensive reporting on General Grant's strategy for Vicksburg: "Vicksburgh has not yet surrendered and the announcement in the papers was premature but the result is sure, and it is only a question of time. Genl Grant has the place completely hemmed in, and could take the place in an hour (so he says, and so his officers all believe) but it would be at a great sacrifice of life and he says that his men have behaved so nobly through his whole expedition that he can not bear to sacrifice one of them unnecessarily. The cooler of his officers take the same view, but a few are impatient and would rush in at all hazards. All agree that there can be but one result, and that is only a question of time, as to when Vicksburgh will come into our possession." 

In his March letter he wrote of his health, which in hindsight feels prescient: "My complaint came on me worse than ever, so that I was obliged to give up duty, in which condition I have been to the present time, although I have now recovered everything but strength, and that is coming fast." 

In his June letter, he expresses his plans on resigning from the Navy and returning home: "I can assure you that I concealed nothing from you in my letter written after the battle of Grand Gulf. I have not lost either leg or arm (that I know of) and as the gunboat fighting is pretty much over now, I expect to give you ocular evidence of the fact within a very few weeks at the farthest - the 'Tuscumbia' is really disabled, at least as much so that she will not be taken under the fire of heavy batteries again until repaired, and as soon as Vicksburgh surrenders (which cannot be many days) we shall go to St. Louis for repairs when I expect to pay you a visit, and as she will necessarily be laid up for two or three months I expect (this is private) that my connection with the U.S. Navy will come to a conclusion, as I am heartily sick of the service although I do not make any complaint here, nor do I wish it known abroad at present, as it might prevent me from getting my resignation accepted at least without some trouble."

The Tuscumbia attacked the Confederate works on 29 April 1863 and was hit 81 times. Despite the damage and Edson's speculation of repairs, the vessel was quickly repaired and participated in the attacks on Vicksburg batteries on 19 and 22 May. She would not be extensively repaired until August. 

Edson would never have the opportunity to return home, however. The final letter, written by the Paymaster of the Tuscumbia on 29 July, reveals Edson's fate: "Mr. Edson died on the 8th instant; after about two weeks sickness, from a very aggravated type of Remittent fever. The Officers of the ship, presuming that it would be gratifying to his relatives to receive his body, purchased a Metallic Coffin, and his body placed on board the steamer 'New National,' which we supposed was about to start for Cairo. His trunks were also packed and his jewelry one up, and all directed to his Mother's address at Centralia, in the care of the Grand Master of the Cairo lodge of Free Masons; and given to Capt Grant of the New National. That evening we started up the river to Milliken's Bend. I have since learned that the 'New National' was delayed at Vicksburgh so long, that it became necessary to bury him on the point opposite the town but that the place of his burial is so marked that it can be easily distinguished. I presume his trunks &c have reached Cairo." 

This final letter was addressed to William S. Pease (1832-1915), who was an ensign aboard the U.S.S. Indianola when it was sunk. He was captured along with the crew in February 1863 and was the subject of Edson's concern in his March letter. Pease was exchanged on 6 June 1863 and was reassigned to the U.S.S. Osage when he received the letter of Edson's death. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Navy, Naval History, Brown Water Navy, David Glasgow Farragut, David Dixon Porter, Battle of Mobile Bay, Battle of New Orleans, Blockade, Confederate Blockade]