Autographs of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868, 1866-1910 (bulk 1866): Finding Aid

History of the Class of 1868

The bulk of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868 was admitted to the Academy in 1864, although additional Acting Third Assistant Engineers and Cadet Engineers joined the Class in 1866 and 1867. During their time at the Academy, most of which was under the leadership of Superintendent David Dixon Porter, the Class of 1868 took part in the Academy's return to Annapolis and its subsequent expansion, including the construction of new Steam Engineering and Chemistry buildings, the purchase of the original Maryland Governor's Mansion, and the construction of the second Naval Academy Chapel. The Class of 1868 was also witness to the creation of the first baseball clubs, the first June Week activities, and the introduction of the Color Competition.

Description of Contents

The Autographs of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868, comprising 0.06 linear feet of documentation in a single volume, was compiled primarily in 1866, with several additional notations and documents from as late as 1910. The volume consists primarily of 112 signatures of the members of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868.

The Autographs of the Class of 1868 were collected by Midshipman Charles A. Copp aboard U.S.S. Constitution (Frigate) in 1866, and consists of the signatures and home towns of 112 members of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868. Also included in the volume are the lineups of two Naval Academy baseball teams, the class standing of some members of the class, Charles Copp's monthly grades in each subject area, and two tintype photographs. The tintypes consist of a portrait of Midshipman Thomas Chalmers McLean and a group portrait featuring Midshipmen George Kossuth Adams, Charles Albert Copp, Robert Thompson Jasper, and William Couvenhaven Strong.

The cover of the volume features the title "Autographs of the Class of 1868: Collected by Charles a. Copp, drowned on U.S.S. Oneida, Yokohama Bay, Japan, January 24, 1870."

Later notations dating from 1908 and 1910 were made by Copp's brother, Henry N. Copp.

Arrangement

The Autographs of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868 comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Autographs of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868 are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of Henry N. Copp in May 1910. Accession No. 69257.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Portraits of members of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868 are available in Photo Albums 10, 85, 86, and 87.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Autographs of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868 was previously cataloged under the call number V415.K4 1868b.

Preferred Citation

Autographs of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1868, MS 541

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association. Register of Alumni. Annapolis: U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, 2003.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in November 2019. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in November 2019.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Copp, Charles Albert, 1847-1870
• United States Naval Academy. Class of 1868

Genre Terms

• Autograph albums
• Manuscripts
• Photographs

Additional Creator/Author

• Copp, Henry N.
• United States Naval Academy. Class of 1868