The following missive addressed to the captain of the transport steamer Menemon Sanford, appears to be in the original handwriting of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks who headed the expedition to Louisiana in December 1862. It requests the captain allow the men of the 156th New York to be able to cook their breakfasts aboard ship while en route to New Orleans. The vessel never completed the trip, however. It hit a reef and was sunk in the Florida Keys while being steered through the treacherous waters by the morning pilot, who was arrested for sabotage. Luckily the regiment and the crew were saved from drowning by two Union ships that were nearby.

For more on the shipwreck of the transport steamer Menemon Sanford, readers are referred to Letter 3 of those written by Philip J. Miller of Co. I, 156th New York published by Spared & Shared on a website entitled Staten Island Soldiers.

Transcription

To the Captain of the Transport Steamer Sanford ¹

Sir,

I desire that you will take such measures as may be necessary to secure to the troops on board an opportunity to cook their rations for the morning. If it be necessary, orders will be given thus to remove any difficulty that may exist.

I am, Sir. very respectfully your obedient servant, — N. P. Banks, M. G. C. [Major General Commanding]

December 3, 1 o’clock a.m. 1862 by M .S. Ewen, Capt. Co. E.

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¹ The 26 December 1862 issue of the New York Times published the following description of the wreck of the steamer Menemon Sanford on Carysfort Reef 1.5 miles south of the Turtle Harbor Lighthouse: “The steamer M. Sandford, it is feared, will be a total loss, although the agent of Underwriters, Capt. WELCH, with commendable zeal, has sent a steam pump and all necessary assistance to do whatever can be done in saving the vessel and stores.”

KEY WEST, Monday, Dec. 15, 1862. The Banks expedition has met a serious loss in the wreck of the transport steamer M. Sandford, on Carysport Reef, coast of Florida, near the Light of that name, on the morning of the 10th inst., just before daylight. She had on board the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment N.Y.S.V., and from one of the officers I learn the following particulars: That at a very early hour in the morning the pilot, a Mr. RICHARDSON, of New-York, was heard to order the ship to be headed S. W. by W., which attracted the attention of some one, who immediately notified the Captain of the steamer, whereupon he came at once upon deck and consulted the pilot, who assured him that all was safe and right, and the water being deep all around her quieted all apprehension, when in less than two minutes the steamer was hard on the perpendicular reef in nine feet of water, drawing eleven feet. She was bilged and immediately filled to the water level. Fortunately there were other transports in sight, which at once tendered assistance. These were the propellers Curlew, George’s Creek and City of Bath, which took off on to their already over-crowded decks about 300 of the troops, and landed them here on the 11th. The balance of 500 arrived here this morning, the 12th, on the naval transport steamer Blackstone and gunboat bark Gemsbok, in tow of the steamer. The Blackstone had left here on the morning to the 10th with Rear-Admiral LARDNER, bound home of New-York, carrying our mails; and the promptness and self-sacrifice manifested in this case calls for our warmest commendation. She is now taking in another supply of coal, and will leave again as soon as that shall be completed, having rendered a very important service in thus relieving this large body of men from the discomfort and destitution of a sunken ship and a consequent tedious trip to this place. The troops are all being very comfortably housed in the extensive barracks here and in the fort, where they will await transportation, which can soon be obtained in sailing vessels now here discharging coals. More than fifty large vessels have been seen passing to the west during the past three days, and no disaster has been reported here except that of the Sandford. We bespeak for them fair weather and prosperous gales to their haven, and then may the fate of war give them a glorious victory in the cause of freedom, unity and good government.”