Lot 473
Photo Album of Captain Pierre Giraud, Commander of the USS Tennessee. Personal photo album of Captain Pierre Giraud, who became commander of the captured ironclad CSS Tennessee upon her capture at the Battle of Mobile Bay. The album ontains 42 CDV's, most of which are USN officers and the most important being a rare image (CDV of a drawing of a woodcut) of the CSS / USS Tennessee, taken by McPherson & Oliver, 132 Canal Street, New Orleans. There are many high-ranking US Navy officers, including Commodore Winslow USN, famous captain of the USS Kearsarge when it defeated the CSS Alabama off the coast of France in one of the most famous naval battles of the Civil War. Also of note is a CDV of Admiral Theodorus Bailey (by Moffat & Simpson). The back cover and spine of the album are separated and it is split in the middle, not affecting the CDV's. The front has a presentation that reads: "Capt. P. Giraud / A token of friendship and esteem from B.F.D.F." An accompanying notebook contains a list of the CDV's (several are of unidentified USN officers) and their imprints, as well as a great deal of research, such as biographies and copies of Official Records
Some of the other identified CDV's are: Commodore John Rodgers "Dictator," Capt. C.R.P. Rodgers, Lt. Commander Rogers, Lt. Commander Johnson, Capt. Fairfax, Capt. Eaton, C.H. Lockwood, Capt. E.R. Clarke, Lt. Nelson, Lt. Wood, Lt. Gerage, R.M. Hanson, Alexander Kimberly, Paymaster B.D. Fitch, Paymaster Kimberly, and Dr. Gayton.
Included with the album is one partly-printed Document Signed "Gideon Welles" as Secretary of the Navy, one page, 10 x 8 in., Navy Dept., Dec. 1, 1863. To Commodore H.H. Bell, appointing Henry E. Giraud Acting Master's Mate of the U.S.S. Tennessee. Document was forwarded to P. Giraud.
The Battle of Mobile Bay took place on August 5, 1864, between a Union fleet commanded by Rear Adm. David G. Farragut and a smaller Confederate fleet commanded by Admiral Franklin Buchanan. Frarragut daringly ran through a minefield and got beyond reach of the guns on the shore. The Confederate fleet was reduced to the ironclad CSS Tennessee, which eventually was surrendered by Admiral Buchanan. Captain Pierre Giraud led the boarding party and received Buchanan's sword for delivery to Rear Admiral Farragut. The capture of Mobile was an important Union victory, and along with the capture of Atlanta, contributed to Lincoln's re-election.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
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