Friday, June 14, 2013

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: June 14th to 15th,1863-- Charles Read Is a Thorn in Union Side

JUNE 14TH

Lincoln authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to use his revenue cutters (which were armed) to cooperate with the Navy to go after the Confederate commerce raiders operating off the U.S. coast.  Much of this was related to Lt. Charle Read's continued success along the northern coast.

Farragut writes Welles that he is still cooperating with the Army and doesn't think Vicksburg can hold out much longer than June 22nd. (A bit off on the estimate.)

CSS Florida captured ship Red Gauntlet in the West Indies.

CSS Georgia captured and bonded the bark J.W. Seaver.


JUNE 15TH

CSS Atlanta got underway in the early evening and passed over the obstructions in the lower Wilmington River, preparing to attack Union ships in Wassaw Sound, Georgia.

CSS Tacony, Lt. Read, captured and burned the brig Umpire off Virginia coast.  A large force was sent to find Read.  Welles noted in his diary "None of our vessels have succeeded in capturing the Rebel pirate Tacony which has committed great ravages along the coast.".

Old B-Runner

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