Hello- I've been researching some of the people involved in the planning of the Federal operations in the Western Gulf/Mississippi River in early 1862. The name John Gross Barnard kept cropping up in some of the Navy Department memoranda of November ,1861. Search of him gave me a bibligraphy of his writings, which are impressive.
Pertinent to my line of inquiry regarding operations I requested his "Notes on Sea-Coast Defence" through inter-library loan. I was expecting one of the reprints to arrive for me at the local library. VMI sent me an original 1861 edition, signed by GG Otey and donated to the VMI library by Col. J.C. Shields, whose signature is also on the flyleaf.
This text gives details in construction and design of artillery and structures of the period. Mention of techniques of several of the major arms makers of the time included in text and drawing. Rodman's work mentioned in detail through development of the 15 inch gun.
Barnard did much of the engineering of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, it was only logical that the Navy Department would include his input in the planning of the attack on the lower Mississippi. Whether you get a hold of an original text or a reprint, this manual holds the thoughts of that generation on ways and means.
Regards.