Hunt, George P. (1833-1887). ALS, 4pp, from the "Metacomet, At Sea." July 30, 1864. Accompanied by the original envelope, postmarked at New Orleans, August 9. Written days before the Battle of Mobile Bay. New York native George P. Hunt had a career in the US Navy that lasted from 1861-1887. He was appointed 3rd assistant engineer on July 1, 1861, and served aboard the steamer Rhode Island, Blockading Squadron, 1861, as well as the steam-sloop Dacotah, N.A., 1862-1863. On December 18, 1862, Hunt was promoted to 2nd assistant engineer, and from 1864-1865, he served aboard the USS Metacomet, from whence this letter was written. While Hunt's ship went on several cruises in search for blockade runners in the Gulf of Mexico, this tour was highlighted by the action at Mobile Bay in August 1864. Hunt was promoted to 1st assistant engineer on July 4, 1865, and chief engineer on December 29, 1880. His life was cut short when he died on board the Cunard steamer Catalonia in April 1887, and his remains were buried at sea. Hunt writes on July 30, 1864 just ten days before the Battle of Mobile Bay. He details the movement of his ship and how they will rendezvous with several other ships that would take part in the battle, “Well we shall be in Mobile in less than 10 days from now. We left N.O. on Friday with the iron clad 'Winnebago' in tow, a western iron clad, arrived off Mobile this morn 9’oclock. We are going back to Ship Island for the 'Chickasaw', the 'Manhattan' monitor is inside Sand Island, Mobile & the Eutaw & 'Tecumseh' (Monitor) is at Pensacola will arrive tomorrow. I believe everything is nearly ready to attack.” Later in the letter adding, “(In confidence.) a report from the flagship says we go in next Saturday, hope so, as I am anxious to get through with it, we are all tired of the suspense, & have no doubt of success.”    The Battle of Mobile Bay would commence just 10 days later on August 5, 1864, not as early as Hunt speculated in his letter. Rear Admiral Farragut’s fleet of 18 ships, with 4 ironclad monitors, successfully navigated the narrow channel despite mines (then called torpedoes) and bombardment from Forts Gaines and Morgan, losing only the USS Tecumseh. As a result of the bold maneuver, they were then able to cripple the Confederate naval force in the harbor, forcing their surrender, soon after taking the forts. Although Mobile would not surrender until after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, the port was effectively shut down.  The Metacomet, along with the Octorara and Port Royal, was a “double-ender” warship developed during the war to better navigate smaller rivers and channels. During the approach the Metacomet was lashed to the larger Hartford, which Hunt did mention in his letter, “we convoy the Hartford in so we have good company.” Once through the channel, the Metacomet was unleashed and she would capture the Selma during the skirmish with the Confederate fleet.