Saturday, May 3, 2014

Capture of Tampa, Florida

MAY 4-7TH, 1864:  Steamers USS Sunflower and Honduras and sailing bark J.L. Davis supported the capture of Tampa, Florida, in a combined operation with the Army.    They carried the troops there and provided a naval landing party.  Acting Master Edward Van Sice of the Sunflower reported: "At 7 A.M., the place was taken possession of, capturing some 40 prisoners, the naval force capturing about half, which were turned over to the Army, and a few minutes after 7 the Stars and Stripes were hoisted in the town by the Navy."

They also captured the blockade running sloop Neptune on May 6th with a cargo of cotton.

It wasn't a major port, but shows the ability of the Union to strike anywhere at any time along the Confederacy's coast.

--Old B-Runner

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