150 Years Ago: November 3-4, 1863-- Operation in Texas

NOVEMBER 3-4TH, 1863:

 Union naval force consisting of the USS Monongahela, Owasco and Virginia convoyed and supported troops of Gen. Banks at Brazos Santiago, Texas.

The landing began on the 2nd and continued until the next day. On the 4th, Brownsville, Texas, was evacuated by Confederate rtroops and Union foothold on the Mexican border was secured. There had been quite a lot of blockade-running from there.

NOVEMBER 3RD:

Rear Adm. Dahlgren closely examined Fort Sumter from his flagship and reported it to be "a mass of ruin" but that it was still capable of harboring Confederates and would be a problem until "expelled by the bayonet."

NOVEMBER 4TH:

The USS Virginia seized British schooner Matamoras at the mouth of the Rio Grande River with cargo bound for the Confederate Army. This further shows the importance of the operation from Nov. 3 to 4.

--Old B-Runner