150 Years Ago: September 29th-30th, 1863-- Navy to the Rescue, Looking for Raiders

SEPTEMBER 29TH

The USS Lexington and Kenwood arrive at Morgana, Louisiana, on Bayou Fordoche to support Union troops. More than 400 Federals had been captured. The arrival of the ships probably "deterred [the Confederates] from attacking General Dana in his position at Morgana" despite outnumbering Union forces. The Navy to the rescue.

**  The USS St. Louis under Cmdr. George H. Preble, returned to Lisbon, Portugal, after an unsuccessful cruise of almost 100 days in search of Confederate commerce raiders. The ship's commander said they had repeatedly crossed sea routes between the United States and Europe and the Mediterranean Sea to Europe in the Atlantic and not only had not found any raiders, but had only met one American merchant vessel. "This fact, on a sea poetically supposed to be whitened by our commerce, illustrates the difficulties attendant upon a search after the two or three rebel cruisers afloat."

The Confederate cruisers were having an effect. In addition to few American ships on the seas, many ship owners were also changing their flag registration.

SEPTEMBER 30TH

USS Rosalie seized British schooner Director attempting to run the blockade at Sanibel River, Florida, with a cargo of salt and rum. Florida, a state often overlooked in the war.

--Old B-R'er