Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: May 18th to May 20th, 1863

MAY 18TH-21ST

Confederate troops planted torpedoes in Skull Creek, SC, "with a view of destroying the enemy's vessels, which are constantly passing through this thorougfare."

MAY 19TH

As Grant's troops advance on Vicksburg, he constantly seeks naval support.  He asked Porter to have ships shell the rear of the city.

Lt. Cmdr. Reigart B. Lowry, USN, wrote Welles requesting that officers and sailors not actively employed be used to man forts and defenses along the coast.


MAY 20TH

Farragut reported to Welles that he was "again about to attack Port Hudson."  It will be attacked from above and below.

Rear Admiral Du Pont, summing up his failed attack on Charleston by his ironclads: "...moreover that Charleston could not be taken by a purely naval attack-- nor can it be...."  To try again would result in another disaster.

Old B-Runner


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