(French, 1822-1892) Three finely executed drawings, life portraits of Civil War naval officers after the Battle at Cherbourg between the USS Kearsarge and the CSS Alabama: [Le Capitaine Winslow, du Kearsarge] (Captain John A. Winslow, USS Kearsarge), 6-5/8 x 3-3/4 in.; [Lieut Wheeler, Lieut Smith Maitres Canonniers du Kearsarge] (James R. Wheeler, Acting Master and Sidney L. Smith, Assistant Engineer, both of the USS Kearsarge), 7-1/4 x 4-3/4 in.; [Le Capitaine Semmes, de l'Alabama](Raphael Semmes, Captain of the Confederate Raider CSS Alabama), 6-3/8 x 3-1/2 in., signed "Galland" and inscribed with titles and dated "Cherbourg..Juillet 1864", ink on paper, ; in one modern gilt wood frame,. Notes: The Battle of Cherbourg saw the sinking of the Confederate ram, CSS Alabama, by the union ship, USS Kearsarge. The [Alabama] was in the French port for repairs when the USS Kearsarge, whose Captain had been notified of its presence, awaited an eminent battle outside of the port. An article from the Civil War Trust summarizes that the battle became the spectacle of France, " This Sunday naval duel was fought in the presence of more than 15,000 spectators, who, upon the heights of Cherbourg, the breakwater, and rigging of men-of-war, witnessed "the last of the Alabama. "Among them were the captains, their families, and crews of two merchant ships burnt by the daring cruiser a few days before her arrival at Cherbourg, where they were landed in a nearly destitute condition. Many spectators were provided with spy-glasses and camp-stools. The Kearsarge was burning Newcastle coals, and the Alabama Welsh coals, the difference in the amount of smoke enabling the movements of each ship to be distinctly traced. An excursion train from Paris arrived in the morning, bringing hundreds of pleasure-seekers, who were unexpectedly favored with the spectacle of a sea-fight. A French gentleman at Boulogne-sur-Mer assured me that the fight was the conversation of Paris for more than a week. ". Provenance: Heritage Auctions, June 29th, 2008, lots 72029, 72030, 72031; Private Virginia Collection glue tacked to mount with ink border, light toning; frame with abrasions