Extraordinary ALS signed “John H. Brooks,” 24 total pages on a set of six 5 x 8 sheets, lightly lined, (the first 11 pages in ink, the balance in graphite) August 5, 1864. An incredible firsthand account of John Brooks, the steward of Admiral David Farragut, written while aboard the flagship US Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay. The first four pages consist of a letter Brooks addressed to his wife on the day of battle, in part: "We got underweigh this morning after a cup of coffee and sailed in two by two the iron clads on our right or starboard side. I cannot tell you of how terrible the battle was but even our admiral admits it was the most severe ever we engaged in our ship being the admiral ship the Rebel…Tennessee came up to sink us then began another battle the Hartford pouring in broadside after broadside not twenty feet from the ram and running into her nearly sinking her…we lost over twenty men killed and wounded cut up in a manner most shocking…we are now in the Bay of Mobile and will try to compel the forts guarding its entrance to surrender after which we will be ready for home…I hope you will soon read this letter which we plan to send tonight, which if captured by the enemy will serve him in showing the deprived the best of wives a letter that would relieve her aching heart. Oh, this fighting was terrible but I was never more cool…I hope soon to write you full particulars and only now wish to relieve you and my dear mother of the anxiety of my last letters."The remaining pages represent a moment-by-moment eyewitness retelling of the engagement, in part: "As ordered we had 14 vessels and 4 Iron Clads. The Iron Clads had the inside or starboard side position, they were to engage the Rebel Ironclads…The Gulf into Mobile Bay covered more than 500 infernal machines destined to destroy our noble vessels, by their books and papers we know they counted on blowing us to pieces…but their torpedoes was and ever will be looked upon as a cowardly contrivance to get clear of a fair and open fight and the Admiral had intended to lead in the fleet but as the Brooklyn Capt Alden had a torpedo cutter on her blow and had four funs that she could train ahead by persuasion he gained permission to lead.” At this juncture, the seemingly impregnable monitor Tecumseh, in an effort to keep the approaching CSS Tennessee in view, steered into a minefield, struck a torpedo, and sunk in less than a minute. “The Gallant Capt. [Tunis Craven] and his vessel was no more and one had just time to say she is sinking ere she was lost sight seeing this and supposing his ships running on to a nest of there terrible machines the Gallant Alden hesitated backed his vessel and stood aghast.” Peril and confusion prompted the USS Brooklyn, which led the second column, to halt and Captain James Alden to request orders before moving ahead. Determined to keep his flagship in forward momentum, Farragut ordered the Hartford around Brooklyn and into the minefield with his famous order of ‘Damn the torpedoes.’ His gamble that the submerged torpedoes would be of no consequence proved correct, and erelong his fourteen warships passed through unmolested. “Everyone asked why does the B [Brooklyn] stop, and I am sure disaster would have followed if the Gallant Admiral had not asked if there was room to pass the Brooklyn & on being answered in the affirmative gave the order for the H to steam ahead and gaily was the order executed and the Rebels soon left their guns and we cared nothing further from the fort & battery.” Brook proceeds to detail the succeeding hours of combat between Union forces and the Confederate Navy: “The Metacomet who with one shot killed nine and wounded seven and compelled her to haul down the rebel flag to the glorious Stars And Stripes, the bold act of the admiral and the daring fighting of the Hartford inspired the whole fleet…The Dear Old Flag never looked so beautiful as that morning after the terrible two hours of hard fighting. Oh it was a grand sight…Our gallant vessels were now alternately ramming and pouring broad side after BS…The Manhattan had succeeded in giving him one good fifteen shot which crushed in his casement and not one of our vessels being injured by him…The ships steaming in opposite directions passed each other and the rest of the fleet took up the fight. The H rounded and made for the R[am] again but other of our vessels were bent on the same thing and unfortunately one ran into us knocking two ports into one and cutting our side down to the waters edge…our gallant vessels were now alternately ramming & pouring broadside after BS into the R and one of our monitors laying under his stern pouring in eleven inch also, the Manhattan had succeeded in giving him one good fifteen shot which crushed in his casement and not one of our vessels injured by him & seeing himself knocked to pieces his ports being knocked out of kilter men being killed & the chief traitor wounded that he hoisted the white flag in token of submission, and thus ended the fight with the Ram. Rather a free fight more like a fox and pack of hounds than anything…We commenced immediately to look out for the wounded and killed…in the quiet of peace than in that morning of excitement and bloodshed, no one seemed to think of life that day and then get the gift of it but a duty not all painful and many felt it was only a moments transit from Earth To Heaven…We are now therefore in complete possession of Mobile Bay…Thanks to God for the Victory." In fine condition. An exhaustive, endlessly fascinating account of the Battle of Mobile Bay.Format: ALS