Photo #: NH 76369-KN (Color) (complete caption)
"The Splendid Naval Triumph on the Mississippi, April
24th, 1862"
Colored lithograph, published by Currier & Ives, 1862.
The original print bears the following descriptive text: "Destruction
of the Rebel gunboats, rams and iron clad batteries by the Union
Fleet under Flag Officer Farragut. The attack was commenced on
the 18th of April and continued until the 25th resulting in the
capture of Forts Jackson, St. Phillip, Livingston, Pike and the
city of New Orleans, as well as the destruction of all the enemy
gunboats, rams, floating batteries (iron clad), fire rafts, booms
and chains. The enemy with their own hands destroying cotton
and shipping valued at from eight to ten millions of dollars.
'The sight of this night attack was awfully grand, the river
was lit up with blazing rafts filled with pine knots and the
ships seemed to be fighting literally amidst flames and smoke.'".
In this view, ships are identified as (starting at top left center,
up the river, running down to the right, then across toward the
left): Confederate steamers; USS Cayuga (leading the Union
column), USS Pensacola, burning confederate steamer, USS
Varuna, USS Oneida, USS Mississippi (engaging
the ram Manassas), USS Richmond, USS Kineo,
USS Hartford (flagship, in collision with a fire raft),
USS Brooklyn and USS Winona.
A Confederate fire raft is in the lower right. Fort St. Phillip
is shown at right and Fort Jackson at left.
Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
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