USS Louisville escorted Union troops too Beldsoe's Landing and Hamblin's Landing in Arkansas. These towns were burned in reprisal to attacks by Confederate guerrillas on mail steamer Gladiator on Oct. 19th. Warned the people that any more attacks would be dealt with in similar fashion. Kind of a mean retaliation if you ask me.
OCTOBER 22ND
Three 12-pounder boat howitzers from the USS Wabash furnished artillery support for Union troops at the battle of Pocotaligo, SC. I didn't quite understand this, but ordinary seaman Oscar W. Farenholt, the first enlisted man in the Navy to reach flag rank, was severely wounded. This Wabash battery took part in amphibious operations all along the South Atlantic coast.
USS Penobscott, Commander Clitz, captured the British blockade-running brig Robert Bruce off Cape Fear, NC.
Lt. William B Cushing reported that the USS Ellis captured and destroyed blockade-runner Adelaide at New Topsail Inlet, NC, with cargo of turpentine, cotton and tobacco. (Definitely trying to run out.)
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These actions, while not huge, continued to put pressure on strained Confederate resources throughout the war. Constant attacks along the rivers and coasts, especially in conjunction with the Army, were devastating.
And, then, the blockade continually got more effective. Usually, I just write about blockade-runners captured in the Wilmington area, but the Chronicles has a lot more.
Old B-R'er
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