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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: 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."

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

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