Scope and Content Note
The papers of Stephen Clegg Rowan (1808-1890) span the years 1826-1890, with the bulk of the items dated from 1841 to 1870. The collection consists of three journals and a letterbook.
The first journal, which Rowan kept on board the Vincennes, 1826-1828, describes cities, villages, people, and customs in South America and Tahiti. A journal kept on the Delaware, 1841-1843, recounts experiences in South America and Italy and contains abstracts of the ship's cruises. In the third journal, Rowan related his service in battles off the coast of California during the Mexican War, made general observations about the United States before the Civil War, and discussed cities, people, and customs in Asia. The latter volume also contains abstracts of cruises and logs for the Cyane, Dale, Malec Adhel, and Relief.
The letterbook contains notes on Rowan's service in the navy and copies of orders to duty and letters sent. The letters document his participation in battles off the North Carolina sounds and in Charleston harbor. Recipients include Ambrose Everett Burnside, Salmon P. Chase, John Adolphus Bernard Dahlgren, James C. Dobbin, Gustavus V. Fox, Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough, David Porter, Robert W. Shufeldt, Isaac Toucey, Gideon Welles, and William C. Whitney.