Thursday, December 13, 2012

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: December 12th to 16th,1862: Move Against Goldsboro, NC-- Wilmington Attack Planned?

DECEMBER 12-16

The USS Delaware, Shawsbeen, Lockwood and Seymour with armed transports supported an Army expedition in the Neuse River to destroy the railroad bridges and tracks near Goldsboro, NC.  Low water in the river, however, prevented them from advancing more than 15 miles.


DECEMBER 15TH

Asst. Secretary Fox wrote Admiral S.P. Lee, proposing an attack on Wilmington: "Though the popular clamor centers upon Charleston I consider Wilmington a more important point in a military and political point of view and I do not conceal from myself that it is more difficult of access on account of the shallowness of the bars, and more easily defended inside by obstructions, yet it must be attacked and we have more force than we shall possess again since the Iron Clads must go South so soon as four are ready."

Remarkably, Wilmington remained in Confederate hands until near the end of the war.


DECEMBER 16TH

General Banks takes command in New Orleans, replacing General Butler.

Old B-Runner


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