[CIVIL WAR]. A group of 3 CDVs of Brown Water Navy officers, incl. Lemuel G. Crane, Alexander C. Campbell, and D.C. Woods.

A vignette identified in period pencil on verso as, "L.G. Crane" amplified with later collector's notes. Baton Rouge, LA: Bogel & Sheppers, n.d. (minor mottling, small piece of missing albumen lower left). The uncommon photographers' imprint is on verso. Lemuel G. Crane became Acting Master 5/22/1861, resigned 1/23/1863. Crane commanded the screw steam USS Sachem that escorted the recently launched USS Monitor to Hampton Roads and witnessed the historic first battle between ironclads. Transferred to the Gulf, Sachem later "surveyed the river passes just below forts St. Philip and Jackson" protecting New Orleans. The vessel also scouted Lake Ponchartrain and would venture into Mobile Bay to reconnoiter rebel defenses and gauge avenues of possible attack. The Sachem was caught in the surprise attack on Galveston where she "ran through heavy fire" to escape the cataclysm. Shortly afterwards, Ensign Crane resigned from the service.

[With:] A standing studio view of an engineering officer identified beneath portrait as "A.C. Campbell." Baton Rouge, LA: T. Keddy, n.d. (minor soiling). The subject is Alexander Campbell who became Acting Assistant Engineer 10/1/1862, Acting Second Assistant Engineer 7/3/1864, discharged 11/6/1865. Campbell is listed aboard the Mississippi River dispatch vessel USS General Lyon as of 1 January 1863, and the former Confederate sidewheel steamer USS General Price on 1 January 1864. The General Price had been sunk during the Battle of Memphis, refloated and commissioned into the US Navy. Engineer Campbell was aboard when she accidentally rammed the USS Conestoga, and later during the Red River Campaign.

[Also with:] A sharp view of Lieutenant (1864 Regulations) "D.C. Woods" so identified in ink beneath the portrait. New Orleans, LA: J.A. Sheldon, n.d. (very good overall, bumped corners). David C. Woods became Acting Master 5/13/1861, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant 1/6/1864, discharged 9/10/1865. Nothing relating to Wood's Civil War service could be located.

The Richard B. Cohen Civil War Collection