American Historical Ephemera & Photography

FORREST, French (1796-1866). Document signed ("F. Forrest") as Commander U.S. Naval Forces, E. Coast of South America. Flag Ship St. Lawrence, Rio de Janeiro. 20 June 1857. 1p, approx. 8 x 10 in. (creasing at folds, pencil 75 at upper left corner). French promotes a midshipman to Acting Master.

Forrest commenced his career in the United States Navy, partipating in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and commanding American naval forces in the landing at Veracruz, Mexico, during the Mexican-American War. When Virginia seceded, French became a flag officer in the VA Navy before joining the Confederate States Navy as a captain. He held multiple commands including two tours as Commander of the James River Squadron and serving as Acting Assistant Secretary of the Confederate Navy.

[With:] KENNON, Jr. Beverly (1830-1890). Checked signed  ("Beverly Kennon"), ca 1850s. Kennon served as lieutenant in the CSN before resigning and joining the Louisiana State Navy. He commanded the Louisiana state steamer Governor Moore in 1862 during engagements with Farragut's fleet near New Orleans. -- SCALES, Dabney Minor (1841-1920). Check endorsed on verso ("D.M. Scales"). Memphis, Tennessee. 13 December 1893. Scales served in the CSN throughout the war, including as 2nd lieutenant on the Shenandoah, a Confederate raider which fired the last shot of the war and surrendered six months after the war had ended.