Army Gunboat Smith Briggs

A photo of the gilded eagle taken from the Smith Briggs accompanies the article. It was taken by Confederate soldier Joseph Chapman Norswiorthy who removed it from the ship's pilot house. It can now be seen at the Isle of Wight Courthouse on Main Street in Smithfield, Virginia.

The Smith Briggs was an Army gunboat which had taken part in the Battle of Suffolk while a part of the Upper Nansemond Flotilla under Lt. Roswell Lamson, USN who was commanding the USS Mount Washington. There is not a lot information about the ship.

--Old Secesh