896. CIVIL WAR PRINTED SAILOR'S HANDBILL POEM An attractive war-date Union sailor's printed, 1p. 10 1/4" x 4 1/4" handbill poem written by a sailor onboard the USS Steamer Albatross in 1863. Through poetic verse the sailor vents his disgust at their lack of support during a very costly engagement with Confederate Fort De Russey and two enemy vessels on May 4, 1863 during the Port Hudson campaign. The poem reads, in small part: "...brave men struggle `gainst three to one...comrades...stand cowardly looking on...men of the Albatross...blow the steam whistle for our friends to come on...we'll wipe out the stain...when they captured the Harriet Lane...but where's our friends[?] The A...and the E...have been looking on...our wheel is gone and our pilots too...we loose them, because our friends look on...when this thing is known...if justice attends...she'll hang the cravens, and we'll look on..." The engagement was indeed a bloody one for both the ship and crew; she sustained heavy casualties along with her steering. Quartermaster James Brown was later awarded Medal of Honor for helping extricate the vessel from the enemy's fire during the battle. Usual folds with some light staining, else very good. $100-150