Cushing's Raid on Smithville "...the General Was Not In When I Called"

FEBRUARY 29TH, 1864: Two boats from the USS Monticello led by Lt. William B. Cushing, landed at Confederate-held Smithville, NC, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River at night in an attempt to capture General Louis Hebert.

The daring Cushing and three men made their way to the general's quarters in the middle of town and within fifty yards of the Confederate barracks. Cushing found that the general had gone to Wilmington earlier in the day, but reported to Rear Admiral S.P. Lee: "I send Captain Kelly, C.S. Army, to you, deeply regretting that the general was not in when I called."

--Old B-Runner