Monday, December 24, 2012

Naval Happening 150 Years Ago: December 22nd to ,1862

DECEMBER 22ND

Captain Dahlgren, confidant and advisor of Lincoln was called to the White House at the president's request to observe the testing of a new type of gunpowder.  Imagine them testing ordnance at the White House these days.  Lincoln, of course, was always interested in new technology.


DECEMBER 24TH

The USS New Era was called to Columbus, Kentucky. to support the Army in imminent threat of Confederate attack.  Had the Confederates recaptured the city this would have seriously interrupted the flow of supplies down the Mississippi to Union operations against Vicksburg.


DECEMBER 27TH

Adm. Porter received a request from the Army to assist the forthcoming Arkansas campaign.  Although his fleet was busy against Vicksburg, the USS Conestoga, under command of ship-sinker Selfridge,   sent to patrol "between the White and Arkansas rivers.

The same day, his fleet had engagement with Confederate batteries at Drumgould's Bluff by the Yazoo River.

Old B-Runner

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