Item No. 2377454

A provost marshal’s pass dated October 2, 1861, permitting Commander Charles Steedman, US Navy, “to Pass beyond the limits of the City and County of St. Louis, to go to Philadelphia.” It is signed by Major Justus McKinstry, provost marshal on the staff of General John C. Fremont. On the reverse there is a list of Steedman’s physical characteristics—50 years old, 5 feet 8 3/4 inches tall, gray eyes, and “dark & gray” hair. Steedman’s signature is at the bottom. Measures 4 3/4” x 7 3/4”. Lightly toned with flattened creases from original folds.

A native of South Carolina, Charles Steedman had served in the Navy since the 1820s. He commanded the brig Dolphin during the 1859-1860 expedition to Paraguay, then commanded the Brazil naval station until 1861. He stayed loyal to the Union during the secession crisis and joined Commodore Andrew H. Foote in St. Louis in the fall of 1861, but quickly returned east—using this pass—to participate in successful operations against Port Royal, South Carolina. Later promoted captain and vice admiral, he held various other naval commands through the war, including in the blockade of Charleston.

An 1839 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Justus McKinstry served during the Second Seminole War and the Mexican War. He served under General John C. Fremont during the early months of the Civil War and was promoted to command of a division in 1861. McKinstry’s commission, however, was not confirmed by the Senate and he remained a major. His reputation was tarnished after his involvement in a logistics scandal became known, which led to his discharge in 1863. A friend of Ulysses S. Grant, McKinstry is considered responsible for introducing Grant to Fremont in 1861, which led to Grant’s posting at Cairo, Illinois, and subsequent success in the western theater of war.