OCTOBER 31ST TO NOVEMBER 7TH
Naval expedition of USS Hetzel, Commodore Perry, Hunchback, Valley City and Army gunboat Vidette, opened fire on Confederate encampment at Plymouth, NC, forcing them to retreat. Then the expedition was ordered to meet Gen. John G. Foster at Williamston on Nov. 3rd to support Army assault on Hamilton, NC. Nov. 4th, Confederates evacuated Hamilton and troops took possession.
Then, an Army attack on Tarboro failed. The Union fleet transported 300 sick and wounded soldiers back to Williamston.
NOVEMBER 2ND
Rear Admiral Porter writes Fox seeking authority over the Ellett rams in western waters. They were needed badly because the "The old 'Pook Turtles' are only fit for fighting--they can not get along against the current without a tow." Fox agreed and took it to Lincoln who also agreed and on November 7th, all war vessels on the Mississippi transferred to the Navy. This provided much greater efficiency for operations there.
CSS Alabama captured and burned whaling ship Levi Starbuck near Bermuda.
NOVEMBER 3RD
The CSS Cotton and shore batteries engaged4 Union ships at Berwick Bay, Louisiana and caused considerable damage to them until the Cotton ran out of cartridge bags forced the Confederate ship to withdraw. The Cotton's commander reported that the final shots were fired using the legs of his men's pants as improvised cartridge bags.
Commander Henry Thatcher wrote Fox about the cruise of the historic USS Constellation in the Mediterranean Sea and requested more ships at that station to make other countries think the US Navy is stronger and can spare ships from the blockade. Also, he wanted them in case a Confederate cruiser slipped into that body of water.
I kind of doubt that he got more ships.
The USS Penobscot, Cmdr. Clitz, destroyed b-r British ship Pathfinder after forcing it aground off Shallotte Inlet, NC.
Old B-Runner
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