Collection of six signatures and autographed notes

1898. unbound. Small but interesting collection of six items, autographed by American Naval Officers who achieved the rank of Rear Admiral during the 19th century. Includes: Joseph Smith (1790-1877), flag captain to Commodore Hull during the War of 1812 (signature with rank); Louis Kempff (1841-1920), Civil War, Spanish-American War, and Boxer Rebellion service (signed naval card); William Colgate Eaton (1851-1936), chief engineer on board the U.S.S Amphitrite during the bombardment of San Juan Hill (short autographed note signed sending flowers to a friend's funeral); R.P. Hobson, who scuttled the Merrimac during the Spanish-American War (signed card); J.N. Milner, Commodore on the Flagship Philadelphia, who oversaw the transfer of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States (autographed note signed as Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station, Flagship Philadelphia, October 6, 1898, noon, at sea); and Stephen Bleeker Luce (1827-1917), first President of the Naval War College, who commanded the Ironclad Nantucket at the siege of Charleston, S.C., where it was struck 51 times (large bold signature with rank). These items have tape and mounting remnants, but are in very good condition overall.