I owe a great debt to Jeffrey Kraus of www.antiquephotographics.com for identifying the officer in the image. Jeffrey, you are a gentleman, a scholar and all around great guy. Hope some of my clients will visit and bookmark your web site to see some KILLER images.

 

So...who is it? This is Confederate Naval Commander George N. Hollins, who had an incredible military career prior to the Late Unpleasantness. Born just before 1800, he enlisted in the Navy as a midshipman at the tender age of 15. He fought under Stephen Decatur in the War of 1812. He was captured and held by the British in Bermuda until peacetime. He returned to Decatur's command and helped the famed Captain capture an Algerian frigate during the Second Barbary War. At least one record says that Decatur presented the teenager with a captured Algerian sword after the battle.

 

Hollins remained in the U.S. Navy and was eventually promoted to Captain in 1855. Hollins almost brought the U.S. and Britain to the brink of war in that year after ordering the bombardment of a town under British jurisdiction along Nicaragua's Mosquito Coast. American residents nearby had complained about harrassment by the British. War was averted and Hollins continued his distinguished career until 1861. He parted ways with Uncle Sam when war broke out.

 

He was appointed the rank of Commander in the Confederate Navy. In June of '61, Commander Hollins captured the US Steamer St. Nicholas on the Potomac River. This was cleverly done as Hollins ordered his men to wear civilian clothing and pose as passengers, getting on the sidewheel vessel at various stops. They took control of the ship and proceeded to capture three other Union vessels in Chesapeake Bay! Two weeks later, he was placed in charged of the James River defenses and shortly thereafter, was made commander of the CS Naval station in New Orleans. It was there that Hollins beat back a federal blockading squadron (Oct. '61) Promoted to flag rank, Hollins led a fleet up the Mississippi to defend Columbus, Kentucky. The fleet was engaged at Island No. 10, Plum Point Bend and Fort Pillow during the action around Columbus. His squadron was then defeated in the naval engagements around Memphis in June of 1862.

 

Our hero returned to New Orleans when an overwhelming Union force landed and laid siege. Hollins, it seems, cannot be blamed for the fall of New Orleans as he was recalled to serve on a panel investigating the destruction of the CSS Virginia. He served on various commissions for the South for the balance of the war.

 

The condition of the CDV is good and bad. Good, in that there are no trims, clips, creases or tears. Bad, in that it's got some discoloration on both front and back. The backmark is an early Anthony mark, usually pretty desirable.