The Battle of New Orleans; Compiled from the Official Letters of the U.S. Gunboat "Winona," Under the Command of Edward T. Nichols. 1861-1862

Format is approximately 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Two staples along the left side. [2], 45 sheets, printed on one side only, plus plates and covers. Illustrations. Maps. Decorative front and read covers. Rear cover has tears and creases. Front cover has some wear and soiling. USS Winona was a Unadilla-class gunboat built for service with the Union Navy during the American Civil War. Winona was heavily armed, with large guns for duels at sea, and 24-pounder howitzers for shore bombardment. Winona saw significant action in the Gulf of Mexico and in the waterways of the Mississippi River and was fortunate to return home safely after the war for decommissioning. Ordered to the Gulf Blockading Squadron and allocated to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron when Union naval responsibility in the area was divided early the next year, she served at the mouth of and in the Mississippi River for the next seven months. On 24 April 1862, she attempted to pass Forts Jackson and St. Philip but snagged herself on obstructions while the rest of her unit fought its way past the Confederate forts on the river banks and the South's naval forces. Eventually freeing herself, Winona remained below the forts with Comdr. David D. Porter's mortar flotilla while Flag Officer David Farragut moved on upriver to capture New Orleans, Louisiana. Four days later, her commanding officer took part in accepting the Confederate capitulation of Fort St. Philip. In May, she moved upstream with the mortar boats to join the investment of the Southern stronghold at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Edward Tatnall Nichols (March 1, 1823 - October 12, 1886) was a United States Navy rear admiral. Nichols began his naval service by being appointed to the U.S. Navy from Georgia on December 14, 1836. He was first attached to the sloop USS Levant and served in the West Indies Squadron, 1837-1840. He attended the Philadelphia Naval School, 1841-1842. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Nichols remained loyal to the United States and was given command of the steamer USS Winona in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. Nichols participated in the bombardment of forts Jackson and St. Philip, receiving the latter's surrender on April 28, 1862. He was then present with the 38-vessel flotilla commanded by Rear Admiral David Farragut during the attack on and passing of the batteries at Vicksburg, Mississippi on June 28, 1862. The USS Winona engaged the CSS Arkansas and again engaged and passed the Vicksburg batteries on July 15, 1862. Nichols was promoted to commander on July 16, 1862. In 1863 he commanded of the steamer USS Alabama in the West India Blockading Squadron. The following year he was in command of the steamer USS Mendota of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and retained that command until 1866 when he was assigned special duty in New York City. With the USS Mendota, Nichols saw heavy action when he engaged a rebel battery at Four Mile Creek on the James River, June 16, 1864. The Mendota was again engaged at the First Battle of Deep Bottom, being the only Navy vessel in support. Receiving promotion to captain on July 25, 1866, Nichols served on the command staff of the Asiatic Squadron. He was promoted to chief-of-staff of the squadron in 1870 and held that post until 1872. Nichols was promoted to commodore May 24, 1872 and served as commandant of the Boston Navy Yard, 1872-1876. He served as member of the Navy's Board of Examiners in 1877 and commissioned rear admiral February 25, 1878, commanding the South Atlantic Squadron until 1879.…