In February 1864, six-year-old James V. Johnston visited his father, Captain John V. Johnston, aboard the USS Forest Rose gunboat on the Mississippi River’s peaceful waters. As the boat approached Waterproof, Louisiana, Captain Johnston discovered a large Confederate force preparing to attack a small garrison of Black troops. The Forest Rose engaged the attackers, and early in the conflict, the boat’s regular powder boy was killed.

Young James stepped up to take his place, carrying powder to the cannons amid the fighting. The Confederate troops continued their attack over the next two days but failed against the gunboat’s firepower. The boy’s bravery so impressed the crew that they called him “Admiral Johnston” and presented him with a uniform for gallantry in action.

Just a few months after this remarkable sequence of events, during the Red River Campaign, the Forest Rose was anchored off Fort DeRussy and ready to provide support to the ongoing operation. Captain Johnston was keenly aware of the dangers along the river and wrote this “suggestion” (“not an order”)  to another gunboat on May 5^th, 1864:

“USS Forest Rose

Off Fort DeRussy

5^th May 1864

Sir –

[Their] is four [embrazures] in battery bend and will be in your beat if you with safety to your men blow them up you had better do so.

You can do it by digging a hole and put in a bag of powder with slow match. I do not give you this as an order but a suggestion.

Very Respt,

John V Johnston

(To)

[Commanding] officer

Gun boat no 46

(PS)

Keep a sharp look out in battery bend as the Rebs are occupying all [elligable] places –“

The letter measures 8” x 12.5” and is written on faintly lined paper.  All text is complete and written in rich, black ink.  Paper was folded horizontally into thirds.  Front paper surface is in nice condition.  Reverse has been taped along the top fold and at the edges of the lower folds.  Also included is a selected page from an original Harpers Weekly dated April 30^th, 1864, with printed sketches of the Red River Campaign and Fort DeRussy.

This veritable snapshot in time from the Red River Campaign would be a highlight of most any Civil War ephemera collection.  [cm][ph:L]

Inquire About REMARKABLE LETTER FROM USS FOREST ROSE – NEAR FORT DERUSSEY, LA – EX-COCO COLLECTION