Inventor of the famous Dahlgren gun!

(1809-70) Appointed Midshipman in the U.S. Navy in 1826, he served as an ordnance officer for 16 years, during which time he invented the "Dahlgren Gun," a rifled cannon, which became one of the standard weapons used by the Civil War navies, and he also set in motion major advances in gunnery. Dahlgren was given command of the Washington Naval Yard on April 22, 1861, a post previously held by Captain Franklin Buchanan, one of the most experienced Federal naval officers, and the first commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy, when he decided to throw his lot in with the Confederacy. During this early war period, Dahlgren established a good friendship with President Abraham Lincoln, who would often come to the Navy Yard to watch Dahlgren test-fire his ordnance guns. Dahlgren, who had established the U.S. Navy's Ordnance Department, was appointed Chief of the Ordnance Bureau in 1862. Promoted to Rear Admiral on February 7, 1863, he took command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. His main task was to seal off Charleston Harbor, and his efforts contributed greatly to the capture of both Charleston, S.C., and Savannah, Ga.

Signature with closing from a letter: 5 x 1 1/4, in ink- hear from Allan sometimes and wish I had him out here- it would be of service to him. Most truly yours, J.A. Dahlgren. There is content on the opposite side of the paper which reads as follows- capital somewhere or else his Generalship will come to a small figure some day. Light wear. Possibly C.W. date.