(John Hay) U. S. Navy Department Reports Of The Naval Engagements On The Mississippi River…

Description

John Hay’s brother, Augustus Leonard Hay, enlisted in the infantry and remained in the army throughout his life, rising to rank of captain and serving almost entirely in the West.  His brother, Lincoln secretary John Hay inscribed this title to Augustus:  “Augs. Hay / From John Hay, Esq. / New York Aug. 10^th 63”.

Being in the Western Theater, this book was probably an excellent gift for him.

A pasted in paper fragment, on the inside front board, seems to have been used as a Free Frank on the wrapping paper: “From the President of the United States / John Hay / Priv. Sec.” all in Hay’s hand. 

Excellent condition w/ lt. rub only. With fascinating “association” stories! 

(U. S. NAVY DEPARTMENT) REPORTS OF THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER RESULTING IN THE CAPTURE OF FORTS JACKSON AND ST. PHILIP AND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE REBEL NAVAL FLOTILLA.  Washington: GPO, 1862.  1^st.; 107p. 2 plates (including a colored frontis); 3 folding maps.  Preserved in a handsome clamshell box w/ gilt titling, marbled inside; a small medallion (1-1/4” x 1-5/8”) w/ a Lincoln image (after Gardner’s O-80) affixed to the front of the box, signed by Chicago’s talented medalist and Lincoln collector J. H. Ripstra (1881-1961).  The book contains detailed reports of Welles, Farragut, and Porter, though lacking C.S.N. data.