Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: July 1st to 4th, 1862: Meeting on the Mississippi

In honor of my new extended antique auro tags on the '85 Firebird.  The license number is "1862).

JULY 1ST

The Western Flotilla, under Flag Officer Davis joined Flag Officer Farragut's fleet above Vicksburg.  Farragut thinks Davis' irnclads "are curious looking things ro us salt-water gentlemen, but no doubt they are better calculated for this river than our ships....  They look like great turtles."  The meeting of the salt water and fresh water fleets had great psychological impact in the North.

President Lincoln recommended to Congress that Flag Officer Foote be given a vote of thanks for his service in western inland waters.


JULY 1ST-2ND

Flag Officer L.M. Goldsborough's fleet covered the withdrawal of McClelan's army after the Battle of Malvern Hill.


JULY 4TH

The USS Maratanza engaged the CSS Teaser at Haxall's on the James River.  Teaser abandoned and captured after a shell exploded in her boiler.  In addition to placing mines, the Teaser had gone downriver with an balloon onboard to observe McClellan's retreating army.  Both armies using aeriel balloon reconnaissance.  The Teaser was the counterpart of the USS G.W. Parke Curtis, the first aircraft carriers.  The balloon found on board as well as six shells with "peculiar fuses" which were sent to the Washington Navy Yard for examination.

Old B-Runner