William Ronckendorff letter book

1858-1861

This collection consists of one copybook of official correspondence of Lieutenant William Ronckendorff, U. S. Navy, commanding the S. S. M. W. Chapin during her cruise with the Brazil Squadron and on the Paraguay Expedition, the U. S. Coast Survey Steamer Bibb, and the schooner Arago. The copybook dates from October 18, 1858 to January 4, 1861, and contains the handwriting of Ronckendorff and others William Ronckendorff became midshipman of the U. S. Navy on February 17, 1832, and by successive promotions became Commodore on February 12, 1874. On December 27, 1861, he took command of the steamer San Jacinto and was at Hampton Roads to fight the Merrimac. Ronckendorff retired from the Navy on November 9, 1874