| Scope and content |
Collection contains typewritten transcripts of Read's notes that discuss the ships on which he served, as well as the ships, cargoes, and captains he captured. Notes concerning Portland Harbor constitute a first-person account of Read's capture and subsequent imprisonment at Fort Warren, Mass. Also of interest are copies of official United States government correspondence and correspondence Read sent to the Confederate Secretary of the Navy concerning his activities at Portland. Other materials include Read's notes describing his duty in the James River Squadron in 1864 and papers relating to his pardon. Correspondence (1878-1936) includes letters primarily from Read's old shipmates and members of his family. Of particular interest is a letter describing Confederate sailors' imprisonment at Portland, Me.; Read's attempted escape from Fort Warren; and actions of Read on the James River in 1864. A letter from W. S. Schley summarizes Read's career. A letter from Roby Read in Yokohama, Japan, describes the perceptions and practices of the Japanese in regard to the use of stevedores. Also included are copies of articles dealing with Read's naval career. |
| Access restriction | No access restrictions. |
| Cite as |
Charles W. Read Papers (#424), Special Collections Department, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. |
| Terms of use | Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law. |
| Acquisitions source |
Joyner- Gift of Mr. Mallory J. Read, Miss Lorna M. Durham. |
| Biographical note | Charles William Read (1840-1890) graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1860. Upon hearing that his native Mississippi had seceded from the Union, Read resigned his commission and returned to the South to join the Confederate Navy. Lieutenant Read's accomplishments included the capture of 22 vessels during the period between June 6 and June 27, 1863. He was captured in Portland, Me., in June 1863, following an attempt to take the revenue cutter Caleb Cushing. He was exchanged in 1864 and subsequently participated in naval operations on the James River. |
