[CIVIL WAR]. A group of 3 CDVs of Brown Water Navy officers, incl. Captain Lewis W. Pennington, Captain Francis A. Roe, and Hugh Nott.

CDV depicts an imperious looking two-stripe lieutenant commander with arms folded, identified in faint period pencil beneath the portrait as "Capt Lewis W. Pennington." New Orleans, LA: E.J. Jacobs, n.d. (minor wear, damaged corners). Jacob's imprint on verso. This officer served as Acting Master 11/22/1861, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant 9/25/1862, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant-Commander 3/3/1865, discharged 11/12/1865. This officer is listed as commanding the schooner Henry James assigned to the 3rd Division of Admiral Porter's Mortar Flotilla in 1862. A later reference to Pennington dated 28 January 1864 records this officer as a passenger aboard the US Army steamer Western Metropolis engaged in the seizure of the British blocker runner Rosita off Key West. Rosita carried a desirable cargo of "liquor and cigars" while Lieutenant Pennington is noted as having "assisted in the capture."

[With:] CDV of a severe looking bearded officer identified in pencil on verso as "Capt. Roe." Uncredited (bright image, dented corners). Francis A. Roe dedicated 44 years to the navy as Midshipman 10/19/1841, Passed Midshipman 8/10/1847, Master 8/8/1855, Lieutenant 9/14/1855, Lieutenant Commander 7/16/1862, Commander 7/25/1866, Captain 4/1/1872, Commodore 11/26/1880, Rear Admiral 11/3/1884, retired 10/4/85. Francis Asbury Roe (1823-1901) was executive officer of screw steamer Pensacola that led the starboard column of Farragut's fleet past the guns of Fort Jackson and St. Philip on 24 April 1862. As a result of the action he was promoted for "gallantry" to lieutenant commander on 16 July 1862 and given command of the gunboat Katahdin. While c/o of the Katahdin, Roe was instrumental in repelling John C. Breckinridge's 5 August 1862 attack on Baton Rouge. In September 1863 Roe was transferred to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and given command of the side wheel steamer USS Sassacus cruising off the target rich North Carolina sounds. Here, Sassacus captured or destroyed three rebel blockade runners over the fall and winter months. Lieutenant Commander Roe was once more commended for "gallantry" during the engagement with the rebel ram CSS Albemarle while capturing the enemy gunboat Bombshell on 5 May 1864.

[Also with:] A vignette, perhaps a period copy shot, ink identified on verso as "Hugh Nott." Memphis, TN: Mitchell's, n.d. (minor spotting, mount with soft corners). The uncommon imprint on verso. Hugh Nott became Acting Assistant Paymaster 2/17/1863, discharged 12/12/1865. This officer served at both the Memphis and Natchez, Mississippi naval stations during the war.

The Richard B. Cohen Civil War Collection