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 MEMOK 
 
 V CAPT. LOUIS C. SARTORI, 
 
 UNITED STATES NAVY. 
 
 To the Honorable United States Senate and House of Representatives in 
 Congress assembled: 
 
 The undersigned, Louis C. Sartori, now a captain on the active 
 list of the Navy of the United States, respectfully petitions your 
 honorable bodies that you will authorize and request the President 
 of the United States, should he deem it just and proper to do so, to 
 nominate him, the said Captain Louis C. Sartori, to be a commodore 
 on the active list of the Navy next below Commodore William Rey- 
 nolds, being the same relative position on the Navy Register occu- 
 pied by him throughout thirty-seven (37) years of honorable service, up 
 to and until the special promotions of July 25, 1866. 
 
 Your petitioner respectfully represents that after a service of up- 
 wards of forty-four (44) years upon the active list of the Navy, and 
 near the period of his retirement, he appeals to your honorable bodies 
 to lift from him the degradation placed upon him by the promo- 
 tions which took place in July, 1866, whereby twenty-eight (28) of 
 his juniors were placed above him, when in the height of his useful- 
 ness, in the full discharge of his duty, and while at sea, and that too 
 on the eve of and when entitled to promotion to a captain, when he 
 found himself at one blow stricken from the high and honorable 
 position he had gained by many years of faithful and devoted service. 
 
 During the late war your petitioner was among the very first to 
 seek for active service at sea, and was commanding upon the block- 
 ade in the early days of the rebellion when the service was most 
 harassing to the mind and body ; during the whole of that war he 
 was always on duty. That he failed to gain a " battle record " was 
 no fault of his, as he made every effort, numerous applications, direct 
 and indirect, for such commands as would lead to honorable dis- 
 tinction, as letters herewith produced will abundantly prove. All 
 his exertions, and all his desires were paralyzed by a power he could 
 not overcome. Yet he performed his duty wherever placed, and has 
 during forty-four (44) years in the Navy ever maintained a correct 
 and honorable deportment, and commanded several vessels, (he be- 
 lieves,) with credit and efficiency. A number of officers, in several 
 grades, were alike sufferers, most of whom have been restored to 
 their original positions, or have retired by age from the active list. 
 Some of those advanced have no better record than that of your 
 petitioner, and were not so actively employed. 
 
I — 
 
 2 
 
 Had a few heroic men been selected for extraordinary achieve- 
 ments and advanced, your petitioner would not have complained ; 
 but when a whole batch of younger officers, some of them from 
 seven (7) to nine (9) years his juniors in the service, were thus 
 raised above him, he must feel deeply aggrieved, and as a last resort 
 appeals to your honorable bodies to restore him to his original and 
 proper position on the Navy Register next after Commodore William 
 Reynolds, that he may retire (in June, 1874) in honor and with a 
 heart filled with gratitude to those who are all powerful to lift this 
 injustice from him. 
 
 Your petitioner does not ask for advancement, but simply for 
 restoration only to the position he was and is entitled to by seniority, 
 by length of service, and by good and faithful conduct. He earn- 
 estly solicits that the accompanying bill be passed into a law, as it 
 cannot do injustice to anyone, and nearly all who were placed above 
 him have been promoted to the grade of commodore. 
 
 His restoration will not interfere with any other officer's promotion, 
 inasmuch as his early retirement leaves the road free to all ad- 
 vanced who are so much younger in years and in the service. 
 
 Your petitioner further respectfully represents that in laying before 
 your honorable bodies this bill for his relief he would state that a 
 bill of the same character and import was presented at the last ses- 
 sion of the preceding Congress, which promptly passed the House 
 Naval Committee and the House of Representatives, and failed alone 
 in the Senate, your petitioner thinks, by the Conference Committee, 
 which was ordered, being unable to meet on account of the great 
 press of business during the closing hours of the session. All the 
 papers in relation to his case are on file in the Senate, and your 
 petitioner entreats a full and careful consideration of them, as also 
 of the annexed papers and letters from several officers who were 
 placed above him, and who are willing that your petitioner should 
 be restored to his original place on the Navy Register. 
 
 Your petitioner further respectfully states that at the last session 
 of Congress, an act was passed which bears particularly hard on his 
 case — and in fact it bears upon him alone — although in itself a just 
 law. Your petitioner alludes to the act defining the full age of 
 sixty-two (62) years as the true meaning of the period of retirement. 
 This act prevented his promotion in August last, and will deprive 
 him of further advancement, and he will be obliged to retire in June, 
 1874, in his present grade of captain, and he is the only one of all 
 those passed over in the promotions of 1866 who will not receive 
 his full promotion as entitled to by his length of service, (45 years.) 
 He, therefore, most earnestly begs your honorable bodies, as the 
 only means to lift this mortification and injustice from him, to re- 
 store him to his original position on the Navy Register, and relying 
 with confidence on your high sense of justice to give him back his 
 honorable place and his good name, your petitioner will ever pray, 
 &c. 
 
 L. C. SARTORI, 
 Captain, United States Navy. 
 Washington, D. C, December 1, 1873. 
 
[Printer's No., 549. 
 43d CONGRESS, 1st SESSION.— H. R. 540. 
 
 In the House of Representatives. 
 
 December 15, 1873. 
 
 Read twice, referred to the Committee, on Naval Affairs, and ordered 
 to be printed. 
 
 Mr. Kelley, on leave, introduced the following bill : 
 A BILL 
 
 To restore Captain Louis C. Sartori to his original position on the 
 Navy Register. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
 States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the 
 United States be, and he is hereby, authorized, by and with the ad- 
 vice and consent of the Senate, to restore Captain Louis C. Sartori 
 to his original position on the Navy Register, next below Commodore 
 William Reynolds, on the active list. 
 
 Letters, documents, and testimonials accompanying Captain Louis C. 
 Sartor fs memorial to the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
 United States, for restoration to his original position on the Navy Regis- 
 ter, the position held by him for the period of thirty-seven years of hon- 
 orable service, and of which he was deprived by the special promotion* 
 of July 25, 1866. 
 
 COPY OF 
 
 Report on the memorial of Captain L. C. Sartori, asking to be re- 
 stored to his former rank by the House Naval Committee : 
 
 Your Committee, after an examination of the facts in the case, 
 find :_ 
 
 That Captain Sartori has been in active service in the Navy for 
 more than forty-three years ; that he will soon be placed, by reason 
 of age, on the retired list ; that in July, 1866, while he was in the 
 discharge of his duties on sea service, and while entitled to promo- 
 tion to a captaincy by right of seniority, he found all his many years 
 of faithful and efficient services set aside by the Navy Department, 
 and twenty-eight (28) of his juniors put above him. 
 
 We find that during the late war he was among the very foremost 
 
and most persistent seekers for active service at sea, as shown by copies 
 of earnest appeals to the Secretary of the Navy and others, herewith 
 annexed and made a part of this report. That he was placed upon 
 blockade duty, but not given such commands as would lead to distinc- 
 tion, was not his fault, but in the positions allotted to him he ever 
 maintained a correct and honorable character, and commanded several 
 vessels with credit and efficiency. 
 
 Your Committee also find that memorialist will be retired by reason 
 of age in twelve months, and that he has performed his duty as an 
 officer of the United States Navy for so long a period that it would be 
 unjust to him and to the service to allow his retirement to a grade less 
 than that to what he is entitled by his long career of useful and efficient 
 services; and that these services were duly and highly appreciated by 
 his superiors is evident from the letters of Rear Admiral Farragut, 
 Rear Admiral Thatcher, Rear Admiral Stringham, Commodore Mars- 
 ton, Rear Admiral Craven, and of James E. Montgomery, Secretary of 
 Admiral Farragut, all of which are herewith annexed and made a part 
 of this report. 
 
 Your Committee, therefore, after a full examination of the case, and 
 believing that his restoration, on account of his early retirement, will 
 not interfere with the promotion even of those juniors who were ad- 
 vanced over his head, earnestly recommend the passage of the bill re- 
 storing Captain L. C. Sartori to his original position on the Navy 
 Register. 
 
 42d CONGRESS, 3d SESSION.— H. R. 3847. 
 
 In the Senate of the United States. 
 
 February 10, 1873. 
 
 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. 
 
 AX ACT 
 
 To restore Captains Louis C. Sartori, George H. Preble, George H. 
 Cooper, and Commander R. F. R. Lewis, of the United States Navy, 
 to their original positions on the Navy Register. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
 if America in Congress assembled, That the President of the 
 United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to restore Louis C. 
 Sartori, George H. Preble, George H. Cooper, captains in the United 
 States Navy, now on the active list, and R. F. R. Lewis, a commander 
 in the United States Navy, now on the active list, to their original 
 positions on the Navy Register 
 
 Passed the House of Representatives February 7, 1873. 
 
 Attest: EDWARD McPHERSON, Clerk. 
 
Among the papers submitted will be found a letter from Admiral 
 Farragut, expressing his regret that he could not fulfill his promise to 
 me, namely ; of allowing me to bring the " Portsmouth " into the action 
 with the Mobile forts. Months previous to this action, Admiral Far- 
 ragut had, at my repeated solicitations for an active steam command, 
 given me the " Monongahela ;" and after I had fully prepared her for the 
 anticipated passage of the forts, I was relieved by the Department 
 sending down Commander Strong. I ihen went to the "Oneida," and 
 flattered myself that at least, though an inferior command, I should go 
 through the battle with her ; but here again the Department relieved 
 me by sending down Commander Le Roy,, my then junior ; and I 
 was obliged to return to the " Portsmouth," on picket duty at New 
 Orleans, being the only commander's command available at that rim:'. 
 As the time approached for the attack, and seeing no probability of a 
 steam command, I applied and entreated the Admiral to allow me to 
 take in the " Portsmouth," a sailing ship, which the Admiral at last 
 granted me, and I made every preparation for that important duty. 
 
 I was allowed to increase her battery, and with a full and excellent 
 crew I waited anxiously for the notification the Admiral assured me 
 he would give me, when I was to take any available gunboat to tow her 
 around to the fleet off Mobile. Almost at the last moment I heard that 
 the " Portsmouth " would have to be retained off New Orleans for the 
 protection of that place, as most of the Army had been drawn off to 
 assist in the attack at Mobile Bay. I then applied to the Admiral for 
 the command of the "Oetorara," a small gunboat, in the event of her 
 commander, who was absent on leave, not returning in time, and here 
 again I was bitterly disappointed, as the Admiral sent me word that he 
 had already assigned to her a commander, and thus I was left out, and 
 all my aspirations were crushed. (See Admiral Farragut's letter of 
 September 24, 1864. 
 
 Again, after the passage of the forts, when Admiral Farragut was 
 about to be relieved from the command of the Gulf Squadron, I applied 
 to him for the command of the division off Galveston. The Admiral 
 assured me that he would attend to the matter on his arrival at Wash- 
 ington, but soon after Commodore Benjamin Sands, now Rear Admiral, 
 was appointed to that position. Still again, when Rear Admiral 
 Thatcher assumed command of the Gulf Squadron, relieving Commo- 
 dore Palmer, I applied repeatedly to him for a command, or any 
 duty, in the anticipated attack of the city of Mobile ; and as all com- 
 mands were filled — I was again debarred from the duty I so ardently 
 desired and strove for. (See Admiral Thatcher's letter of June 27, 
 1867.) 
 
 Soon after this I was detached from the " Portsmouth," and ordered 
 North, without the slightest request or wish on my part. The war 
 was then about closing ; and although I had been on duty during 
 the whole period, I had been unable to gain the " battle record " I 
 had constantly toiled for. Soon after my return home I was again 
 ordered to sea, and while on that duty the promotions of 1866 took 
 place, and I was passed over by twenty-eight of my juniors, a num- 
 ber of whom had no better " battle record " than myself. Against 
 
this injustice I have now appealed to the highest and only tribunal 
 left me, the Congress of the United States ; .and having suffered this 
 degradation for upward of seven (7) years, I beg your honorable 
 bodies to restore me to my old position, lost through no fault or 
 error of my own ; and as I retire in June, 1874, this restoration 
 affects not a single officer, and allows me to retire with an honorable 
 name and position; whereas, if I am not restored, [ may have to re- 
 tire in my present grade of captain, while all the juniors who were 
 placed above me are now commodores, and I shall be the only one of 
 all who were passed over who will retire without reaching the grade 
 of commodore. 
 
 Verv respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 L. C. SARTORI, 
 Captain, United States Navy. 
 
 U. S. S. " Saranac," 
 Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cal., 
 
 January 20,1870. 
 Hon. George M. Robeson, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy: 
 
 Sir : I respectfully beg leave to lay before you, as briefly as may 
 be, the facts bearing upon my claim to be restored to my former rela- 
 tive position on the Navy list, and to earnestly ask your kind atten- 
 tion to the same, confident that upon a full understanding of my 
 case your high sense of justice will lead to the adoption of such steps 
 as may be necessary to secure my reinstatement in my proper posi- 
 tion. 
 
 Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, when all was disorder and 
 confusion, and the Department scarcely knew whom to trust, I was 
 among the very first to seek for active duty at sea, and in April, 1861, 
 I was appointed by Commtodore i)u Pont to command the " Flag." 
 Pressing forward her preparations, she was soon on the blockade off 
 Charleston, and all my time and energies were given to making, of 
 the material afforded me, a useful and efficient ship. So untiring 
 were my exertions, added to the anxiety and care attending the early 
 days of the blockade, that after seven months' incessant activity I 
 was compelled by the state of my health to seek a short respite from 
 my duties at sea, and so asked for temporary orders only to the Wash- 
 ington Yard, where, in a moderate climate, I hoped soon to regain 
 my strength, while still actively on duty at that busy station. 
 
 That 1 did not want to shirk duty will appear from my letter of 
 the 4th of November, 1861, to the Department, of which I enclose 
 a copy, marked *'A." Here, however, my misfortunes began. I 
 was condemned by medical survey and ordered to the command of 
 the " Ohio," receiving ship, at Boston. After a few mouths' rest 
 ami medical care I again applied for sea service, but it was not until 
 after ten months of weary effort that my request was granted, and I 
 
was given command of the " Florida." Then, for several months, 
 I was actively engaged again on the Southern coast, but the vessel 
 was then ordered to New York for new boilers, and upon arriving I 
 was at once detached, and, to my great surprise and mortification, I 
 wns ordered to the " Cyane," sailing ship, in the Pacific. 
 
 I hastened to Washington and sought by every means in my 
 power to have my orders'changed for more honorable and active 
 duty on the Atlantic coast, but without success. 
 
 I therefore sailed from New York to Aspinw T all in the mail 
 steamer " Ariel," which was captured by the "Alabama," and I re- 
 turned home a prisoner. I was soon exchanged and ordered to com- 
 mand the "Portsmouth," another sailing ship, in Admiral Farra- 
 gut's squadron. Arriving there, I at once applied to him for a proper 
 command, and was assigned to the " Monongahela," but a captain 
 was soon sent down by the Department to relieve me. Then I was 
 given the " Oneida," and again the Department relieved me. I then 
 returned to the " Portsmouth," and, in answer to my frequent ap- 
 peals to the Admiral for active duty, he intimated to me that I was 
 to be kept in her, the " Portsmouth." 
 
 Finding it hopeless to attempt to get a better ship, I entreated to 
 be allowed, with my vessel, to participate in the attack on Mobile, 
 and was overjoyed when the Admiral gave me his promise that I 
 should . His' letter (a copy of which I enclose, marked "B,") shows 
 why I did not. This was very bard to bear, for I had for months 
 lived in hopes that I might prove to the Department, in that glorious 
 action, how unjustly I had been dealt with during the whole war. 
 
 Thus, sir, you will see from this plain statement of facts, which 
 my letters now on file at the Department, and other letters, will fully 
 sustain, how hard I strove for such commands as would have given 
 me an opportunity, at least, of gaining the " battle record" I so ear- 
 nestly longed for. 
 
 That all opportunity was systematically denied me, from first to 
 last, all my efforts paralyzed, and myselt subjected to the most bitter 
 and undeserved mortifications, I think is equally clear. I have suf- 
 fered then and since ; since, because it was the absence of that "bat- 
 tle record" which, when the promotions we're made in July, 1866, 
 caused my virtual degradation of twenty-five numbers. I claim that 
 my loyalty and zeal were second to none ; my wish, and I believe 
 my ability, to serve my country as great as those of my comrades in 
 the service, and that, therefore, while I cannot claim promotion for 
 deeds not performed, I can justly claim my right not to be punished, 
 which the action of the Department in fact amounts to, and in view 
 of my earnest and manifold efforts for war service, always causelessly 
 denied me, I claim that the responsibility for my non-action does not 
 rest with me. That I have always done my duty, wherever placed, I 
 confidently appeal to the records of the Department for the last forty 
 years to show. I can refer also to Admirals Farragut, Stringham, 
 Thatcher, Larner, and many others, if necessary. 
 
 Further, sir, I would respectfully ask your attention to the fact 
 that the promotions of July, 1866, which deprived me of my rightful 
 
position on the list, struck a harder blow at me than at any of the 
 others who were not promoted. At that time I was near the head 
 of the list of commanders. After the promotions were made I found 
 myself put down twenty- five numbers in a single day. My place 
 was next to Reynolds, and now I am below Corbin; ami even since 
 then, three captains — Stevens, Patterson, and Nichols — having been, 
 by special Executive nomination, restored to their places, have gone 
 above me. They, too, are my juniors, thus increasing the weigl 
 already too heavy to be borne calmly. 
 
 The above, sir, are the facts in my especial case, upon which I 
 base my claim to restoration to my original place upon the register 
 of the Navy. The mortification, the misery of the humiliation thus 
 heaped upon me, I will n'ot enlarge upon, since they are common to 
 all my fellow-sufferers, and are now, we trust, from the noble senti- 
 ments expressed in your late report, to be endured no longer. 
 
 With great respect, I remain your obedient servant, 
 
 L. C. SARTORI, 
 
 Captain, U. S. Navy. 
 
 TJ. S. Steamer << Flag," 
 Off Charleston, November 4, 1861. 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this day of your 
 order of the 17th of October, detaching me from the command of 
 this vessel "on the reporting of your successor, Commander John 
 " Rodgers," and to report to Flag Officer L. M. Goldsborough for 
 medical survey. 
 
 I am deeply pained to find that the Department has thus viewed 
 my application to be detached from this vessel. My condition, physi- 
 cally, was such that I deemed it my duty to request a respite of a 
 few months from the anxiety, watchfulness, and exposure so neces- 
 sary when commanding at this particular period. I feared, as I 
 daily apeared to be growing worse, that, this vessel might not be as 
 active as she should be. This led to my application ; but I did not 
 for a moment desire to be relieved from duty to the Government at 
 a period so momentous. On the contrary, I applied to be transferred 
 to the Navy Yard at Washington, feeling assured that I could ren- 
 der efficient aid to the Department in superintending the repairs and 
 fitting out the flotilla now employed on the Potomac, and at the same 
 time could be under medical treatment in a comparatively moderate 
 climate. I enclose a certificate from the acting surgeon of this ves- 
 sel, which fully explains my case, and I entreat the Department to 
 revoke its order for a medical survey, and if it cannot assign me 
 some duty on shore, where I may render efficient service for a few 
 months, I beg to be retained in command of this ship, let the con- 
 sequence be what it may to me. 
 
9 
 
 I cannot for one moment desire to be off duty, but am ready al- 
 ways to serve my country with my best energies. 
 
 I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
 vant, 
 
 L. C. SARTORL 
 
 To Hon. G. Welles, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy, 
 
 Washington, I). C. 
 
 Commander 
 
 U. S. Flagship " Hartford," 
 i Mobile Bay, September 24, 1864. 
 
 Captain : When I left New Orleans I promised you that I would, 
 if possible, comply with your request by bringing in your vessel to 
 Mobile Bay as one of the attacking column, but even the Commander- 
 in-Chief cannot always control circumstances so as to keep all his 
 promises. Commodore Palmer reported to me your desire and my 
 promise, but at the same time stated that he could not, threatened 
 as he was, possibly spare the " Portsmouth," as she was the only ves- 
 sel he had to rely upon in case of difficulty, and I therefore told him 
 that I would not withdraw her, as I then had vessels enough without 
 her. I regret that I felt myself constrained to disappoint you, after 
 having made the promise, and one I earnestly desired to fulfill. 
 
 When you applied for the " Octarora " I had already assigned a 
 commanding officer for her, independent of which, however, I con- 
 sidered that your services would be of more advantage to the Gov- 
 ernment at New Orleans, in case of any difficulty there. In the 
 navy, as well as in the army, there must be outpost pickets, etc., 
 usually, too, the most responsible positions, and it rarely happens 
 that all can participate in the fight, although they all contribute to 
 the success of the battle. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 D. G. FARRAGUT, 
 
 Rear Admiral. 
 To Commander Louis C. Sartori, 
 
 U. S. S. "Portsmouth," 
 
 New Orleans. 
 
 U. S. Receiving Ship " Ohio," 
 
 Boston, March 4, 1862. 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to report myself ready for active duty, my 
 health being sufficiently re-established. I return my sincere thank 
 
10 
 
 to the Department for its consideration in ordering me to this ship 
 on my return from sea in November last. 
 
 I now respectfully request a command on active duty, where I 
 may hope to be of more service to my country. I should be highly 
 gratified should the Department see fit to bestow upon me the com- 
 mand of the new sloop ' ; Juniata," should my services not be re- 
 quired before she could be got ready for sea, but I am ready at once 
 to obey any orders from the Department. 
 
 I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
 vant, 
 
 L. C. SARTORI, 
 
 Commander. 
 To the Hon. Gideon Welles, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 U. S. Receiving Ship " Ohio," 
 
 Boston, May 11, 1862. 
 
 _ Sir : I earnestly and respectfully request the Department to con- 
 sider my application of the 1st of March, made for an active command, 
 I am ready at the earliest moment, and painfully anxious to share 
 with my brother officers the dangers and glory of what they are now 
 going through. I beg respectfully to name the " Tioga," fitting out 
 at this place ; the side-wheel boat building at Bordentown, New 
 Jersey ; the " Monongahela," at Philadelphia, or any vessel that may 
 be soon in service. 
 
 I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
 vant, 
 
 L. C. SARTORI, 
 
 Commander. 
 Hon. Gideon Welles, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Philadelphia, November 20, 1862. 
 
 Sir: I have just learned from a reliable source that the repairs 
 to the IT. S. steamer " Florida" will not require over two months to 
 complete. I therefore most respectfully request to be restored to her 
 command, and that my orders to the fj. S. sloop " Cyane," on the 
 Pacific, may be revoked, especially as I have just been informed that 
 she requires extensive repairs, which may delay her at San Francisco 
 a long time. 
 
 I have ever been most anxious to serve faithfully my Government ; 
 my whole soul is filled with desire to aid in crushing out this rebel- 
 
11 
 
 lion, and it is a terrible blow to me to be sent at this time so far from 
 the scene of action. 
 
 I earnestly entreat your consideration, and request to be restored- 
 to the " Florida," or to the command of any vessel along the At- 
 lantic coast. 
 
 I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
 vant, 
 
 L. C. SARTORI, 
 
 Commander. 
 Hon. Gideon Welles, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy, 
 
 Washington, D. 0. 
 
 U. S. Flagship " Hartford," 
 
 Mobile Bay, West Gulf Squadron, 
 
 September 25, 1864. 
 
 My Dear Sir : I told the Admiral what you wrote to me, and a 
 letter which you will receive from him with this so fully answers 
 yours as to render it unnecessary for me to do more than to express 
 my regrets at your having been so much disappointed. This must, 
 however, always be the fate of some in all military operations. All 
 points must be" protected, although, perhaps, the fighting takes place 
 at only one of them at last. 
 
 It was unfortunate for you that, just before our attack on Mobile 
 Bay, one of those periodic alarms for the safety of New Orleans was 
 in full force ; otherwise things must have turned out differently for 
 you. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 P. DRAYTON. 
 Captain L. C. Sartori, 
 
 U. S. S. "Portsmouth," 
 
 New Orleans. 
 
 North Pacific Squadron, 
 
 U. S. Flagship " Saranac," 
 
 Off Mare Island, June 27, 1867. 
 
 Sir : By request of L. C. Sartori, U. S. Navy, I have the honor to 
 inform the Department that this officer commanded the sloop "Ports- 
 mouth" most of the time during my command of the Gulf Squad- 
 ron until that vessel was ordered North, and during the. preparation 
 for the attack on Mobile, Commander Sartori applied for the^ com- 
 mand of one of the attacking vessels, or to serve in any capacity in 
 the expedition where his services might be required j but, as the 
 
12 
 
 fleet was fully officered, his services were not brought into requisi- 
 tion, though I recommend him to the Department for the zeal which 
 he manifested. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 H. K. THATCHER, 
 
 Rear Admiral. 
 Hon. Gideon Welles, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Office of Port Admiral, New York, 
 106 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, 
 October 16, 1869. 
 
 Captain Louis C. Sartori, TJ. S. N. : 
 
 Sir : Your letter of October 8 has been received, and I would state 
 
 in reply thereto that your conduct while in command of the "Flag," 
 
 and under my command in 1861, was in all respects that of a vigilant 
 
 and energetic officer, and at all times met with my hearty approval. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, &c, 
 
 S. H. STRINGHAM, 
 
 Hear Admiral, U- 8. N, 
 
 Port Admiral, New York. 
 
 Philadelphia, December 22, 1869. 
 
 My Dear Sir : I learn with pleasure that you are endeavoring to 
 reo-ain your original position on the register, and all my recollections 
 of you are so very favorable that I cannot but hope that you will 
 be successful in the attainment of your wishes, and trusting that you 
 will do so I remain, very truly, your friend, 
 
 JOHN MARSTON, 
 
 Commodore, U. 8. N. 
 Captain L. C. Sartori, 
 
 U. 8. Steamer "Ossipe." 
 
 Vallejo, Cal., Jan. 22, 1871. 
 
 Sir : It affords me great pleasure to state that Capt. L. C. Sartori, 
 during the nine months he was under my command in the North 
 Pacific Squadron, performed his duties zealously and with good 
 judgment. The vessel which he commanded was at all times in a 
 
13 
 
 fine state of efficiency and discipline, and I consider him to be a 
 good and intelligent officer. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 THOMAS T. CRAVEN, 
 
 Hon. George M. Robeson, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Rear Admiral. 
 
 New York, February 9, 1871. 
 
 Sir ; Observing that a board has been convened to examine into 
 the cases of certain naval officers who consider that they were un- 
 justly overlooked in the promotion authorized by the law of 1866, I 
 deem it my duty to make known to the Department the express 
 wishes of the late Admiral Farragut in regard to Captain Sartori. 
 On his last visit to "Washington, about one year ago, the late Admi- 
 ral stated his intention to speak to you in person about Captain Sar- 
 tori, for the purpose of urging the restoration of that officer to his 
 original position on the Naval Register. As you are well aware, sir, 
 the threatening illness of the Admiral at that time hastened his re- 
 turn to New York before he had accomplished many of the principal 
 objects of his visit, and as he entertained grave doubts of his recov- 
 ery, he repeatedly referred to the convening of such a board, and 
 upon several occasions requested me, on no account, to neglect to 
 write a strong letter to the Department in behalf of this officer, 
 stating that he was attached to the squadron under his command, for 
 two years, during the most active operations in the Gulf, and on the 
 Lower Mississippi, and during this entire period was so zealous and 
 energetic in the performance of the duties assigned him, and so faith- 
 ful and unremitting in his services to his country, that he considered 
 his restoration an act of " simple justice to a gallant officer." As 
 suring you, sir, that in taking this course I am acting as the represen- 
 tative of the late Admiral Farragut, and simply executing his wishe 
 in respect to one of the several officers he particularly mentioned as 
 desiring to serve, I have to request that this letter may be forwarded 
 to the board now in session for the benefit of the officer interested. 
 
 I havs the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JAMES E. MONTGOMERY, 
 
 Secretary of the late Admiral Farragut. 
 Hon. George M. Robeson, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy. 
 
14 
 
 Office of Light-House Inspector, 
 
 Twelfth District, 
 San Francisco, Cal., July 8, 1873. 
 
 Dear Sartori : Iu answer to your note of July 7th, it affords me 
 much pleasure to state that it would gratify me very much to see you 
 reinstated in your original position on the Navy Register. I have 
 always expressed myself in this way, as you can find out from Cap- 
 tain Russell, and other officers. 
 
 Wishing you success, I remain, yours truly, 
 
 J. H. SPOTTS. 
 Captain L. C. Sartori, 
 
 Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cal. 
 
 105 North Charles Street, 
 
 Baltimore, July 15, 1873. 
 
 Dear Sartori : Your letter of 7th instant reached me this A. M.. 
 and in reply I have to state I have never opposed any officer in his 
 exertions to be restored to what he considers his proper position in 
 the service, and of course should do nothing in opposition to you. 
 If Congress thinks you should take your original place on the Regis- 
 ter, I shall be glad to see your name there, although it will be above 
 me. 
 
 I remain, truly yours, 
 
 EDWARD DONALDSON. 
 
 Buffalo, New York, July 15, 1873. 
 
 My Dear Sartori : I am in receipt of your note of the 7th instant, 
 informing me of your intention to renew your exertions with the 
 next Congress for restoration to your proper position in the Navy. 
 
 I take pleasure in informing you that I will not make any objec- 
 tion to your restoration to your original position on the Navy Regis- 
 ter. 
 
 With former regards, I am, very respectfully yours, 
 
 N. COLLINS, U. S. N. 
 
 Captain L. C. Sartori, U. 8. N., 
 
 Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cal. 
 
 Navy Yard, Pensacola, 
 19th July, 1873. 
 
 My Dear Sartori : Yours of the 7th instant was received yester- 
 day, and I answer your question by saying " in all candor and with 
 il the friendly feelings of past years," and of the present time, that 
 
15 
 
 I would not object to such an act of justice, and that you are at full 
 liberty to use my name to that effect. I hope you may succeed in 
 obtaining tull justice. 
 
 Accept for yourself the renewal of the old, kind, and warm friend- 
 snip ot years gone by. 
 Yours truly, 
 
 M. B. WOOLSEY. 
 
 Georgetown, D. C, July 24, 1873. 
 
 My Dear Sartori : I received your letter yesterday, and hasten 
 to answer that owing to certain reasons which control me in that 
 matter, referred to in your letter, I am unable to take any action 
 either one way or the other. 
 I am, yours very truly, 
 
 JOHN GUEST. 
 
 Captain Sartori, V. S. N., 
 
 Mare Island Navy Yard. 
 
 lExtract.] 
 
 Catskill Mountains, July 31, 1873. 
 
 Dear Sir : As I know of nothing to your disadvantage, I will 
 not oppose your efforts to recover your original position, yet I feel 
 that I cannot properly further your memorial to Congress, for the 
 reason that we have not been associated together socially or pro- 
 fessionally. ***** 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 D. McN. FAIRFAX. 
 
 Captain L. C. Sartori, U. S. N., 
 
 Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cat. 
 
 Norfolk, August 3, 1873. 
 
 My Dear Sartori: Your favor is at hand, and in reply I have to 
 state that, in my opinion, so many outrageous acts of injustice were 
 committed by the parties upon whom devolved the final execution 
 of the law for promotion for war services, and the spirit of the law 
 so flagrantly violated, that nothing would give me more satisfaction 
 than to see the whole thing wiped out, and everybody restored to 
 their original position. Such being the sentiments I entertain upon 
 the subject, if the wholesale wrong cannot be remedied by whole- 
 sale measure, you may rest assured that no officer will meet with 
 
u 
 
 any opposition from me who seeks restoration to his original posi- 
 tion ; and, moreover, they shall have my best wishes for their suc- 
 cess. 
 
 Yours, very truly, 
 
 T. H. STEVENS, 
 
 Mare Island Navy Yard, 
 October 21, 1873. 
 
 Bear Sir : It gives me much pleasure to state that during our 
 services together in this yard, covering a period of about three 
 and a half months, I have ever found you attentive and zealous in 
 the performance of your often unpleasant duties. 
 
 I have read attentively your papers in regard to your service dur- 
 ing the war, and they prove clearly, I think, that it was not from any 
 lack of effort on your part that you did not have service under fire. 
 I shall be pleased to hear that you are restored. 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 JOHN RODGERS, 
 
 Hear Admiral, U. S. iV T . 
 
 Captain Louis C. Sartori, U. S. N. 
 
5,22. Si 
 
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