Tuesday, February 19, 2013

The Civil War in Real Time: February 19, 1863-- Part 1

FEBRUARY 19TH

Rear Admiral Du Pont wrote of the blockade:  "No vessel has ever attempted to run the blockade except by stealth of night-- which fully established internationally the effectiveness of the blockade--  but it is not sufficient for our purpose, to keep out arms and keep in cotton--  unfortunately our people have considered a total exclusion possible and the government at one time seemed to think so.

A cordon of ships covering the arc from Bulls Bay to Stono [River], some twenty-one miles moored together head to stern--  would do it easy-- but that we have not the means to accomplish.  I have forty ships of all classes, sometimes more-- never reaching fifty--  a considerable number are incapable of keeping at sea or at outside anchorage--  the wear and tear and ceaseless breaking of American machinery compared with English or even French now, keep a portion of the above always here [Port Royal] repairing."

More to Come.

Looks Like Du Pont is Making Excuses.  --Old B-Runner

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