Civil War Naval Images

By Dr. David F. Winkler, Naval Historical Foundation

Founded in 1926, the Naval Historical Foundation’s initial mission was to recover naval art, artifacts, and personal papers that had found their way into private basements and attics across the country.

If reading a monograph published in the past fifteen years on Civil War naval history, any photo credits the read “Official U.S. Navy Photograph” or “Naval Historical Center” probably were acquired through the assistance of the Naval Historical Foundation.

Some notable Civil War papers that the Naval Historical Foundation acquired included those of John A. Dahlgren, David G. Farragut, David Dixon Porter, as well as the diary of John W. Gratton.  These and hundreds of other papers are now held in the manuscript division of the Library of Congress.

Many of the artifacts, artworks, and photographs that the Foundation acquired are now in custody of the Naval History and Heritage Command – the successor organization to the Naval Historical Center.  The Civil War photograph and art collection is rich, with numerous images on line at www.history.navy.mil.  Hundreds more are in the collection, awaiting to be scanned and posted.

Highlights from the website include:

On the homepage, left sidebar, click on Commemorations where you will see the series titled “The American Civil War, 1861-1865” this contains the following:

CSS Virginia destroys USS Cumberland and USS Congress, 8 March 1862,

Action between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862,

USS Kearsarge vs. CSS Alabama, 19 June 1864.

Another area of interest focuses on African American Sailors and others who served the U.S. Navy during the 1860s. The following articles/images feature African-American individuals who served in the 1860s Navy, or who performed notable services in areas related to the Navy of that time:

William Tilghman (or Tillman), who recaptured the schooner S.J. Waring from a Confederate prize crew on 16 July 1861;

Robert Smalls, who piloted the Confederate steamer Planter to freedom on 13 May 1862;

Robert Blake, who won the Medal of Honor while serving on USS Marblehead during an action off
Legareville, South Carolina, on 25 December 1863;

Joachim Pease, who won the Medal of Honor while serving on USS Kearsarge during the battle with CSS Alabama, 19 June 1864.

John Lawson, who won the Medal of Honor while serving on USS Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864;

James Mifflin, who won the Medal of Honor while serving on USS Brooklyn during the Battle of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864; and

Aaron Anderson, who won the Medal of Honor while serving on USS Wyandank during an action in Mattox Creek, Virginia, 17 March 1865.

Another website feature is the list of ship names.  A search of the alphabetic finding aid will yield dozens of photographs and artworks of Civil War vintage vessels.           

The Naval History and Heritage Command has no official photographic reproduction program, and does not loan photographic material.  If you have interest in a reproduction you may select one of the following options-

Option # 1: The Naval Historical Foundation Photo Service.
The Naval Historical Foundation, a non-profit organization, has made arrangements to reproduce unrestricted photographs from the Command's collections. This non-exclusive service is offered as a convenience to those wishing to obtain photographic reproductions. Rates are comparable to those charged for similar services by other institutions.

Contact the Naval Historical Foundation Photo Service, at (202) 678-4431 ext. 6, or E-Mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.navyhistory.org/photographs

Option # 2: Visit the Photographic Section Office (in Building 108 of the Washington Navy Yard) and copy or digitally scan file photographs that are in the Public Domain or are otherwise unrestricted.

One copy stand is available for visitors' use, with incandescent lights that are not color-corrected. All other equipment to be provided by the user. Working areas with nearby electrical outlets are available for visitors who bring their own copy or scanning setups.

Staff time limitations may restrict the number of pictures made available for this purpose. Call Ahead (202-433-2765) to obtain additional information and to ensure assistance will be available.

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Option # 3: Obtain the Services of another Photographer to do the copy work for you. A list of local commercial photographers list is provided on the Naval History and Heritage Command website.

One of the benefits of membership with the Naval Historical Foundation are discounts on orders placed through its photo service.  To find out more visit www.navyhistory.org.