The following letter was written by Hobart Beman, an auditor in the Treasury Department assigned to the claims of Navy Department personnel. Clearly Hobart had a familiarity with the Hiram Paulding, the commander of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Navy commander tasked by Abraham Lincoln and Gideon Wells to go to the Gosport Navy Yard at Norfolk to try to save it and the US vessels in dock there from falling into the hands of the insurrectionists in 1861. In this friendly note, Hobart congratulates Paulding for his Senate confirmation to be promoted from a Captain to a Rear Admiral in the Navy.

Transcription

Treasury Department
Fourth Auditor’s Office
February 9, 1863

My Dear Admiral,

The announcement in yesterday’s paper of your confirmation by the Senate, was, I assure you, a subject of most sincere gratification. Its antecedents only embellish the compliment.

A period existed in the history of the Insurrection, when the “faithful among the faithless” was but few; and I shall always recur with heartfelt satisfaction, to the days and nights of toil and anxiety, when I had the honor to be associated with the Secretary [of the Navy] and yourself in the Department.

I shall ever remember your return from Norfolk. My heart beat high when I saw your bronzed countenance and heard the horse voice of Captain Woodhull. The sowers lived in those days—the reapers have succeeded them.

Accept my dear Admiral, my heart congratulations and believe me most respectfully, your obedient servant, — Hobart Beman

[to] Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding