Flag Relic from Rebel Ram Tennessee Captured by Farragut's Fleet at the Battle of Mobile Bay

Lot 23

About Seller

6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States

With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more

Bid Increments

Price	Bid Increment
$0	$25
$500	$50
$1,000	$100
$2,000	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$20,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000
$100,000	$10,000

About Auction

Live

American History

By Cowan's Auctions

Jun 10, 2016 - Jun 11, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-06-10 10:00:00 2016-06-11 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-1497 Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

View Full Catalog (351)

Lot Description

Flag Relic from Rebel Ram Tennessee Captured by Farragut's Fleet at the Battle of Mobile Bay

Lot includes flag relic, approx. 1.75 x 2.5 in., housed under mat and glass in a Civil War-era pressed paper photograph case, accompanied by the calling card of H. Webster, United States Navy, inscribed on verso: A piece of the rebel flag which was borne by the rebel Ironclad "Tennessee," during the battle of Mobile Bay, 5 Aug. 1864. This piece was secured by me after the capture of the "Tennessee," by Farragut's Fleet. -H.W.

Harrie Webster (H. Webster) served as a third assistant engineer on the USS Manhattan, a single-turreted Canonicus-class monitor in company with the monitors Tecumseh, Winnebago, and Chickasaw at the Battle of Mobile Bay. In his personal papers, Webster described the sinking of the Tecumseh during the fight:

“As the Tecumseh sank to the bottom, the crew of the Hartford sprang to her starboard rail and gave three ringing cheers in defiance of the enemy and in honor of the dying.

Perhaps some drowning wretch on the Tecumseh took that cheer in his ears as he sank to a hero's grave, and we may imagine the sound as it pierced the roar of battle, giving courage to some fainting heart as his face turned for the last time to the light of that sun whose rising and setting was at an end for him” (https://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/73morgan/73facts3.htm).

Webster and his fleet fought valiantly and won for their fallen brothers. He most likely kept the shred of the flag as a souvenir after the terrific battle.
Taking advantage of the swollen river, Admiral Franklin Buchanan ordered the CSS Tennessee to be launched out of Selma early and towed up the river to Mobile. The 1273-ton ship was one of the best ironclads produced for the Confederate Navy. When it reached its destination, rebel ship builders fitted the vessel with the correct iron armor and cannons in February 1863. On the morning of August 4, 1864, Rear Admiral Farragut's flagship, the USS Hartford and a fleet of warships successfully steamed into the head of the channel, launching the Battle of Mobile Bay. In a furious cloud of gun smoke and cannon fire, the battle raged in the muddy waters. With only 6 hours of coal remaining in the Tennessee, Admiral Buchanan had two choices—to flee or to fight. Buchanan chose to go out gloriously. He ordered the ship to ram into the heart of the battle and take on the entire Yankee fleet, but his boldness waned as the bleeding officer saw the precarious state of the casemate. Anticipating its collapse, he hoisted the white flag and surrendered the vessel to the Union Army. The Union captured their prize and promptly recommissioned the vessel the USS Tennessee. After some repairs it returned to the river and served with the US Navy's Mississippi Squadron until the end of the Civil War. The Navy sold it for scrapping in November 1867.

Provenance: The M. Clifford (Cliff) and Lynne B. Young Confederate Blockade Runner Collection
Shipping Info
- SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.