Farragut, David Glasgow (1801-1870) [Battle plan and ship register for assault on New Orleans]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01550 Author/Creator: Farragut, David Glasgow (1801-1870) Place Written: New Orleans, Louisiana Type: Autograph manuscript Date: circa 20 April 1862-21 April 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.4 x 31.7 cm. Order a Copy
Document created during the battle for Forts Jackson and St. Philip, which took place 16-23 April 1862. One side has a list of ships involved in the attack -- the first and second divisions of ships and their captains as well as the first and second divisions of gunboats and their captains. Verso has a hand drawn map of the battle plan to attack Forts Jackson and St. Philip along the Mississippi River. Note below the map says most of the squadron is anchored on the left bank of the river and gives plan of attack after barricades in the river are breached. Farragut noted the breaching of the barricades on 20 April when he wrote "April 21st I have just been informed that the barricade was forced last Night, by cutting the Chains. it was not blown up, We may expect to start up now, at any moment." Document on blue paper. Charles Hamilton notes: "a magnificent historic document of the greatest importance on one of the crucial battles of the Civil War."
1st Division of Ships
"Hartford" - Flag-Ship - Commr. R. Wainwright
"Brooklyn" - Captain Thos. T. Craven --
"Richmond" - Commr. Alden --
2nd Division of Ships
"Pensacola" - Captain Henry W. Morris --
"Mississippi" - Commr. Melancton Smith --
"Portsmouth" - Commr. Saml. Swartwout --
1st Division of Gun-Boats
Captain Theodore Bailey in Command
"Oneida" - Commander S.P. Lee --
"Varina" - do --- Boggs --
"Katadin" - Lieut Comm. --- Preble --
"Kineo" - do--- do--- Ramson --
"Wissahicken" --do do- Albert Smith --
"Cayuga" - do--o--- Harrison --
N.B. These are to accompany the 2nd Division of Ships
2nd Division of Gun-Boats
Commander Henry H. Bell - Capt. of the Fleet
in command
"Iroquois" - Commander J. De Camp --
"Scotia" - Lieut Commg. -- Donaldson --
"Kennebeck" - do- do-- Russell --
"Pinola" -- do-- do-- Pierce Crosby --
"Tasca"-- do-- do-- Caldwell --
"Winoma" -- do-- do-- Nichols--
N.B. These are to accompany the 1st Division of Ships
Description The Squadron are anchored principally now, on the left Shore of the River. After we shall have succeeded in passing the barricade we all keep along & attack Fort Jackson. The first Division leads, then the 2nd Division of Ships, is to follow the dotted line, and attack Fort St. Philip, until the gun-boats all get past both Forts, & the whole Fleet are to proceed on their way up.
April 21st - I have just been informed that the barricade was forced last Night, by cutting the Chains -- it was not blown up. We may expect to start up now, at any moment.
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