Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: August 1st-4th, 1863: Operations at Charleston

Catching up.

AUGUST 1ST:    Rear Admiral Farragut is preparing to leave New Orleans for the North and would turn control of the entire Mississippi River to Rear Admiral Porter.

In Charleston, the Confederate steamer Chesterfield was landing troops and supplies at Cummings Point, Morris Island, when it was driven away by a Union gunboat. General Beauregard asked Flag Officer Tucker to provide an ironclad to cover future operations.

AUGUST 2ND:    Porter writes Welles that trade and commerce in New Orleans was very low compared to what it was a year ago and he hopes it will pick up.

AUGUST 3RD:    Boat crews from the CSS Chicora and Palmetto State and a Confederate Army detachment capture a Union picket station and unfinished battery at Vincent's Creek on Morris Island at night.

This came about when Confederates learned that these sites were being used to signal General Gilmore's batteries to fire at the transports going to the relief of Fort Wagner.

--Old B-Runner