The Sinking of the USS Monitor-- Part 2: Sank With Sixteen Crew Members

The Monitor's commander, J.P. Bankhead, signaled the USS Rhode Island, towing his ship, that he wished to abandon ship.  The wooden side-wheeler pulled as close as it could safely and two life boats were lowered to save the crew.  Many sailors were rescued, but others were too terrified to go out on the deck in the rough seas.

The ironclads pumps stopped and the ship sank with sixteen of its crew.

Thus ended the short but epic life of a truly remarkable little ship.

--Old B-Runner

The Sinking of the USS Monitor-- Part 1: Nine Months After Historic Battle With the CSS Virginia

From the History Site  "This Day in History" December 30, 1862.

On this day the USS Monitor, a truly revolutionary ship in naval architecture, sank in a storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  Just nine months earlier, she had battled the CSS Virginia in the Battle of Hampton Roads, in one of the most famous naval battles in history.

After that battle, the Monitor supported General McClellan's Peninsula Campaign and after that was ordered to Beaufort, N.C., to join a fleet assembling for an attack on Charleston, S.C.,

The low-slung warship was fine in the protected waters of the Chesapeake Bay and James River, but the open sea was another matter.

The USS Rhode Island towed the Monitor to Beaufort, but extremely rough waters were encountered.  As the ship pitched and swayed the caulking around the turret  loosened and water began leaking into the hull.  Each roll opened more  seams and by nightfall December 30, the ship was in serious difficulty.

--Old B-Runner

A USS Monitor Christmas-- Part 5: Sank A Week Later

Thus ended the only Christmas the USS Monitor would ever have.  Few aboard would have expected the ship would sink less that a week later, on December 31, 1862.  Sixteen of its crew, including Jacob Nicklis who had been so proud of his delicious meal on Christmas, went down with her.

Today, you can view artifacts from the USS Monitor at the Mariners' Museum at Newport News.  Starting in November the museum lowered its admission to $1, even better.

The Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe gives visitors the chance to experience the historical fort.

And, for those wishing to experience the festive holiday enjoyed by the Monitor's sailors, you can find Monitor inspired libations at the Ironclad Distillery in Newport News and Oozlefinch Craft Brewery in Hampton.

--Old B-R'er

A USS Monitor Christmas-- Part 4: "Black Eyes, Bloody Noses, & Battered Faces"

However, despite the good Christmas eating, the sound of war resonated across Hampton Roads, Virginia.  Not far from the Monitor, the air was filled with smoke from the reports of cannons from American, British and French ships.  No, they weren't engaged in fighting each other, this was because of salutes to each other and target practice.

Some of the Monitor's crew were fortunate to have leave to go ashore where they encountered men from the British vessels.  At first they enjoyed each others' company, but eventually that came to a close. "The parties got too much whiskey [and] a fight would have to decide who was the best man of the two," wrote Paymaster Keeler.  "There seemed to be a sort of general mass, black eyes, bloody noses, & battered faces  seeming to predominate."

Union soldiers quickly came and took the "drunken fighting sailors" to cells at Fort Monroe.

A Drunken Brawl.  --Old B-Runner

A USS Monitor Christmas, 1862-- Part 3: An Officer Feast

Officers, with their better pay, could afford meals more along the gourmet level.  Paymaster Keeler proudly wrote his wife, Anna giving "a brief synopsis" of their feast.  "Soups, Fish, Oysters of course 'in every style.'  Turkey & other poultry & meats enough to start a Chatham Street eating house.  For dessert, oranges, Pineapples,  Apples, Figs, Raisins -- five  different kinds of nuts -- Peaches, Strawberries, Raspberries, Plums, Cherries, Quinces &c &c  in cans-- Mince & apple pies & cakes without end."

The officers washed down their feast with cider as well as blackberry and currant wines.

Feasting, But Meanwhile....  --Old B-R'er

A USS Monitor Christmas, 1862-- Part 2: Some Liked Dinner, Some Didn't

Despite the rush to ready the Monitor for sea, the crew observed Christmas as best they could.  Jacob Nicklis and his 13 messmates pooled their money-- "a dollar apiece" -- and had quite a dinner of "chicken stew & then stuffed Turkey mashed potatoes, & soft bread" as well as "plum pudding & some nice fruit cake, with apples for dessert."  He assured his father that the dinner "was a good one I can assure you."

However, not everyone was so impressed.  Fireman George Geer wrote his wife, Martha:  "we hade everything to make a splendid Dinner in your hands but our Saylor cook made very bad work cooking to suit me but those poor devils that never had as good before thought  every thing splendid."

But, the officers, with more money, feasted even better.

And, Some Liked Their Fruit Cake.  --Old B-Runner

A USS Monitor Christmas 1862-- Part 1: "All Is Hurry On Board"

From the December 22, 2018, Daily Press (Virginia)  "Jonathan White OpEd:  A U.S.S. Monitor Christmas."

Christmas Eve 1862, Captain John Pine Bankhead, commander of the USS Monitor, received orders to proceed  from Hampton Roads, Virginia, to Beaufort, North Carolina.

They  were:  "Avail yourself of the first favorable weather for making the passage."  But, the weather didn't cooperate and departure was not done at the time.

The officers and crew of the Monitor spent Christmas Day in Hampton Roads aboard ship.  Some had received packages of "good things" from home and Captain Bankhead lamented that he had "neither Mother, wife or sister to send me such things."

Aboard the Monitor, paymaster William F. Keeler penned a short note to his wife, Anna:  "A merry Christmas  to you all there this morning.  I wish I was where I could tell you so instead of having to write it.  I shall think of you often today.  All is hurry on board preparing for sea."

The Last Christmas of the Monitor.  --Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher Thankful for 2018

From the Friends of Fort Fisher.

2018 has turned out to be a very successful year for the fort.

**  Had over 900,000 visitors

**  173 school/children's groups visited

**  404 adult groups visited

**  22 Outreach programs

**  3 major educational/living history programs

**  27 smaller events like Junior Reserves (children programs) and Beat the Heat lectures

**  338 daily guided tours

Plus, a plan for a new visitors center as well as expanded battlefield have been completed.

A Good Year for My Fort.  --Old B-Runner

First Battle of Fort Fisher Ends Today, 154 Years Ago

Huge naval bombardments took place on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25, 1864.  An estimated 10,000 shells were fired at the fort both days.

Union Army units under the command of General Benjamin Butler were landed north of the fort, but it was determined that the fort was still too strong to be attacked and most of the men withdrawn back to the transports, but several hundred were stranded ashore due to decreasing weather conditions and weren't taken off until December 27.

The first attack on the fort was a Union failure and one of the last things the Confederacy could cheer for.

--Old B-Runner

The First Battle of Fort Fisher Began 154 Years Ago Today

On this date in 1864, a Union armada under Rear Admiral David D. Porter and Army units under Gen. Benjamin Butler started an attack on the huge Fort Fisher guarding Wilmington, North Carolina, the last large Confederate port still open for blockade runners.

Earlier this morning, the famed powdership, USS Louisiana,  was blown up with expectations that it would knock the sand fort down.  It didn't.

The Union fleet commenced one of the largest-ever bombardments up to that time, but the fort still remained in Confederate control.

--Old B-Runner

Civil War Navy Trivia-- Part 3: "The Prince of Privateers," Surrendered Three Forts and a Revenue Cutter

6.  He was nicknamed "The Prince of Privateers."  He was born at sea and had a long U.S. Navy career serving on the USS Constitution and Macedonian before serving many years with the U.S. Coast Survey.  In command of the USS Crusader as the Confederate States were seceding, he refused to surrender his ship and took it North, turned it over and then resigned.  He was a very successful blockade runner as well as commanded the Confederate commerce raider CSS Florida.

Who was he?

7.  As a U.S. ordnance sergeant he was forced to surrender a U.S. fort twice and four years later, as a Confederate major, he was forced to surrender a fort to the United States.

Who was he?

8.  This ship served both the U.S. Revenue Service and U.S. Navy.  It was at Fort Sumter when it fell and is credited as firing the first cannon shot by a naval vessel in the war.  Later, it was at the capture of Confederate forts at Hatteras Inlet, N.C., the Battle of New Orleans, the passing of Vicksburg.  It was captured by Confederates off Galveston, Texas.

Answers below.

Two Men and a Ship.  Old B-R'er



6.  John Newland Maffitt

7.  James Reilly

8.  USRC Harriet Lane

Civil War Navy Trivia-- Part 2: Admirals and Another Blockade rRunner

3.  Name the Union admiral who got quite rick from his cut of prize money from his blockading squadron.  He made $109,689.  Quite a sum back then.

4.  Union Secretary of the Navy originally wanted who to command the attack on Fort Fisher?  After this admiral turned job down, Welles gave the assignment to David Dixon Porter.

5.  Originally named the Giraffe , it was bought by the Confederacy for $160,000 gold.  It was reputed to be the fastest vessel afloat at the time.  The sum spent paid off handsomely as the ship ran the blockade 21 times before its capture, bringing out at least 7,000 bales of cotton worth more than $2 million.

What was her name?

Answers below.

A NautiList.  --Old B-Runner


3.  Admiral Samuel P. Lee

4.  Admiral David G. Farragut

5.  Blockade Runner Robert E. Lee

Civil War Navy Trivia-- Part 1: A Blockade Runner and A Spy

As I mentioned in my Saw the Elephant Blog: Civil War, the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group meets tomorrow at Panera Bread in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and this month's topic will be trivia.

Here are some of my trivia questions:

1.  On August 6, 1863, the blockade runner Kate arrived in Wilmington, North Carolina, after successfully running the blockade.  Along with much-needed items in the Confederacy, it also brought something else, not so welcome.    What was it?

2.  What famous Confederate spy was returning to the Confederacy in 1864 aboard the blockade runner Condor when it ran aground off Fort Fisher, guarding Wilmington, N.C..  She drowned in rough seas trying to get to the beach.

Answers below.

--Old B-Runner



1.  Yellow Fever

2.  Rose O'Neal Greenhow

The Loss of the Monitor Weehawken-- Part 1: Inaccountably

From the Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin blog.

From the December 26, 1863 Prescott Journal.  Prescott is a city in northwest Wisconsin.  From the New York Herald.

APPALLING DISASTER
LOSS OF THE MONITOR WEEHAWKEN

United States Transport Fulton, off Charleston, December 8, 1863.

At 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, while a furious wind prevailed from the northwest, the ironclad Weehawken, lying at the entrance of Charleston harbor, went down at her anchorage -- went suddenly, swiftly, and unaccountably to the bottom -- and carried with her, to a horrible death beneath the waves, four of her engineers and twenty-six of her crew.

--Old B-Runner

December 19, 1863: Raid On St. Andrew's, Florida

DECEMBER 19, 1863:  Expedition under Acting Master W.R. Browne, comprising the USS Restless, Bloomer and Caroline. proceeded up St. Andrew's Bay, Florida, to continue the destruction of salt works.  A landing party went ashore under the Bloomer;s guns and destroyed those works not already demolished by the Southerners when reports of the naval party were received.

Browne was able to report that he had "cleared the three arms of this extensive bay of salt works .... Within the past ten days," he added, "290 salt works, 33 covered wagons, 12 flatboats, 2 sloops (5 ton each) six ox carts, 4,000 bushels of salt, 268 buildings at the different salt works, 529 iron kettles averaging 150 gallons each, 105 iron boilers for boiling brine [were destroyed], and it is believed that the enemy destroyed as many more to prevent us from doing so."

--Old B-Runner

The Wreck of the USS Weehawken

From Facebook  "United States Ironclads Wrecked Off Charleston, S.C.  (Keokuk, Weehawken and Patapsco)"  July 10, 2010.  E. Lee Spence.

He and Jim Batey made dives on these three wrecks in the 1960s and early 1970s.

The USS Weehawken cost $465,110.73.

The wreck is shown on the 1865 chart drawn by E. Willenbucher for the annual report of the Secretary of the Navy and is listed in Adrian Lonsdale's "Guide to Sunken Ships in American Waters."

About 130 tons of iron was removed from the wreck by Professor Maillefert's salvage company in 1873.  Spence and Batey examined the wreck after a commercial fisherman snagged his trawl net on it in 1966.Spence identified the ship at the site  based on vessel construction and location.

--Old B-Runner

USS Weehawken-- Part 6: Sinking December 6, 1863

The next two months were uneventful.

On the morning of 6 December, 1863, the Weehawken was  anchored off Morris Island during a moderate gale.  Suddenly it called for assistance and appeared to observers on shore to be sinking.

Attempts to beach it failed and she sank bow first five minutes later in thirty feet of water.

A court of inquiry found that the Weehawken had recently taken in a considerable amount of heavy ammunition in her forward compartments.  This excessively  reduced her forward seaboard, causing water to rush down an open hawsepipe during the storm.

As the bow sank and the stern rose, water could not flow aft to the pumps and the vessel foundered.

Four officers and 27 enlisted men  drowned in the Weehawken.

--Old B-Runner

USS Weehawken-- Part 6: Took A Pounding 7-8 September 1863

South Atlantic Blockading Squadron commander, Admiral Dahlgren demanded Fort Sumter's surrender on 7 September and ordered the Weehawken to deploy in a narrow channel between the fort and Cummings Point on Morris Island.

There, the Weehawken grounded and took concentrated fire from Sumter, Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island and Morris Island.  It was refloated with the help of tugs on 8 September and received a "Well Done" from Dahlgren for defensive gunnery while grounded.

The Weehawken went to Port Royal for repairs until 4 October then returned to Charleston for  routine harbor patrol.

--Old B-Runner

USS Weehawken-- Part 5: Reducing Forts Wagner and Sumter

The USS Weehawken resumed operations against the Charleston fortifications.  On July 10-11, 1863, Union ironclads Nahant, Montauk, Catskill and Weehawken shelled Fort Wagner on Morris Island to cover a Union Army amphibious landing under Brigadier General Quincy A. Gillmore.  Despite additional bombardments on July 18 and 24, they failed to silence the Confederate fort.

Gillmore's troops were pinned down on the beach.  Fort Wagner was finally reduced in a naval bombardment of it, Fort Gregg, Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter on 17 August.

Next, the monitors Nahant, Weehawken, Montaul, Passaic and Patapsco took aim at Fort Sumter, pounding it to rubble on two separate bombardments on  23 August and 1-2 September.

--Old B-Runner

USS Weehawken-- Part 4: Hero and Commendations for John Rodgers

With only five shots, the Weehawken had blown the roof off the Atlanta's pilot house and pierced the grounded ironclad's casemate, putting two of the four gun crews out of action.  With no hope of withdrawing, there was nothing left for the Atlanta's commander, William A. Webb, to do but surrender.

Captain Rodgers became a national hero in the North for this. and received commendations from the Secretary of the Navy Welles, President Lincoln and Congress.  He was promoted to commodore and ordered north to command the new Union ironclad USS Dictator.  Both the Weehawken and Atlanta returned to Port Royal.

--Old B-Runner

December 11, 1863: Still Trying for the USS Indianola

DECEMBER 11TH, 1863:  Confederate troops fired on the USS Indianola in the Mississippi River in an attempt to destroy her, but effective counterfire of the USS Carondelet, Acting Master James C. Gipson, drove them off.

The Union Navy was exerting great effort to get the Indianola off the bar on which she had sunk in February, and on 23 November, Gipson had written to Rear Admiral Porter:  "I will do all that lies in my power to protect her from destruction."

--Old B-Runner

USS Weehawken-- Part 3: The Battle With the CSS Atlanta

On 7 April 1863, the Weehawken led the Union fleet in the first major assault on Confederate fortifications protecting Charleston, S.C..  The attack failed miserably and the fleet withdrew after just 40 minutes.  During that short action, the Weehawken took 59 hits and had a torpedo (mine) explode under her keel without suffering serious damage.

After repairs, she went to Wassaw Sound, Georgia, on 10 June to block the expected sortie of the Confederate ironclad CSS Atlanta.  The Confederate ram and two escort steamers appeared early on the morning of 17 June.

The Weehawken and monitor USS Nahant weighed anchor to meet the Atlanta.  But the Confederate ship ran hard aground only moments after entering the sound.  The Weehawken opened fire at 05:15 and fifteen minutes later the battle was over.  The Atlanta had surrendered.

--Old B-Runner

USS Weehawken-- Part 2: Surviving That Gale

The Weehawken, towed by the steamer Mary A. Boardman and accompanied by the USS Iroquois, left New York in January 19, 1863, and encountered a heavy gale off the coast of New Jersey bound for Port Royal, S.C., and the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.  This was on January 20.  The Boardman and Iroquois headed for sheltered waters, but the Weehawken proceeded in the heavy seas.

This would be surprising considering what had happened to the USS Monitor less  than a month earlier.  But the Passaic monitors differed from the original one in that  on having less deck overhang and a rounded lower hull.  This enabled the Weehawken to ride out heavy seas much easier.

John Rodgers reported that "the behavior of the vessel was easy, buoyant, and indicative of thorough safety."

The ship put into Norfolk for some minor repairs, leaving on February 1 in tow of screw steamer USS Lodona.  She arrived at Port Royal on February 5 and deployed to the Charleston blockade.

Seasick?  --Old B-R'er

Oldest Pearl Harbor Veteran Ray Chavez Dies At Age 106

November 22, 2018, NBC News "Oldest U.S.  military survivor of Pearl Harbor  dies at age 106."

Ray Chavez had been battling pneumonia and died in his sleep in the San Diego suburb of Poway.  As recently as last May he traveled to Washington, D.C.,  on memorial Day where he was honored by President Trump.

Hours before the attack he was aboard the minesweeper USS Condor as it patrolled the harbor's east entrance when he and others saw a Japanese periscope  They notified a nearby destroyer that sank it before the Japanese planes arrived.

This is why we have to honor them now.  It is only a matter of time before they are no longer with us.

George H.W. Bush-- USN: Trained On USS Sable in Lake Michigan

There were no posts yesterday as I spent time watching the funeral ceremony of our 41st President, George H.W. Bush, in Washington, D.C.

During World War II, he served in the United States Navy.  

Six months after the declaration of war, George Bush enlisted in the Navy after his graduation from Phillips Academy on his 18th birthday.  He became a naval aviator  after taking aircraft training on the USS Sable in Lake Michigan.  This required eight successful takeoffs and landings.

After completing a ten-month training, he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve at the Corpus Christi NAS on June 9, 1943.  He was still a few days from his 19th birthday which made him one of the youngest naval aviators.

--Old B-Runner

USS Weehawken-- Part 1: An Improved Monitor, But Short Career

From Wikipedia.

A Passaic-class Monitor named for Weehawken, New Jersey.

Launched 5 November 1862 at Jersey City, New Jersey by Zeno Secor  & Company.  Commissioned  18 January 1863, with Captain John Rodgers in command.

200 feet long, beam 46 feet.  Complement: 75 officers and men.  Armament:  One 15-inch smoothbore gun and one 11-inch Dahlgren gun.

The Weehawken was an improved and enlarged Monitor.

Served 11 Months.  --Old B-R'er

December 6, 1863: Sinking of the USS Weehawken

DECEMBER 6TH, 1863:  The USS Weehawken, Commander Duncan, sank while tied up to a buoy inside the bar at Charleston harbor.  The Weehawken had recently taken on a load of heavy ammunition which seriously reduced the freeboard forward.

In a strong ebb tide, water washed down and open hawse pipe and a hatch.  The pumps were unable to handle the rush of water and the Weehawken foundered, drowning some  two dozen officers and men.

--Old B-Runner

Illinois Medal of Honor Recipient Charles Asten-- Part 2

Charles Asten was all the more remarkable because in the action on May 5, he was on the sick list..  He was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 31, 1864.  George Butts and six other members of the USS Signal's crew also received Medals of Honor at the action.

So, there were a total of eight Medals of Honor awarded that day.  The Wikipedia article on the USS Signal states that six Medals of Honor were given that day.

His citation reads:  "Served on the USS Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864,.  Proceeding up the Red River, the USS Signal engaged a large force of enemy  field batteries and sharpshooters, returning their fire until the federal ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised.  Although on the sick list, Q.G. Asten courageously carried out his duties during the entire engagement."

He died on September 14, 1885, in Nova Scotia and was interred at Saint Francis Cemetery in Providence County, Rhode Island.

--Old B-Runner

200 Years As a State for Illinois; Medal of Honor Recipient Charles Asten-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

(September 14, 1834  to September 14, 1885)

Was a quarter gunner born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada,  He entered the U.S. Navy in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1864, he was serving on board the USS Signal, a U.S. Navy tinclad on the Red River during that campaign.On May 4, 1864, the Signal was ordered to proceed up the Red River with dispatches from Major General Nathaniel Banks.

After going about twenty miles the ship encountered large numbers of Confederates along the banks of the river and a hot action ensued.  The Signal was also with the USS Covington and the Army transport  John Warner.  The action continued into the night.  On May 5, 1864, the Signal was disabled and the crew, including Asten reluctantly abandoned their ship.

They were captured on land.

--Old B-R'er

It's Been 200 Years As a State for Illinois: Navy Medal of Honor Recipients

From Illinois Civil War

"Illinois Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients"

Five Illinoisans received the Medal o Honor for their Naval service:

Charles Asten

Henry Dow

John Hyland

Michael McCormick

Hugh Malloy

--Old B-Runner

USS Two Sisters-- Part 3: Was Tender to USS San Jacinto

On 13 January 1864 while stationed off the mouth of the Suwanee River, the Two Sisters sent a boat crew and captured the schooner William with a cargo of salt, bagging and rope.    In May, she served as tender for the steam frigate USS San Jacinto.  Afterwards, the Two Sisters resumed its blockade duties.

On 3 December 1864, the Two Sisters participated in an early amphibious-type operation.   Her boats and men joined  others from the USS Nita, USS Stars and Stripes and USS Hendrick Hudson.  The expedition was commanded by Acting Lt. Robert B. Smith.  The objective was Tampa Bay where they destroyed a large Confederate salt work at Rocky Point.

She remained on blockade duty until the end of the war and was sold  at public auction to J. Jones on 28 June 1865.

A Very Busy Little Ship.  --Old B-Runner

USS Two Sisters-- Part 2: Captured Lots of Prizes

After commissioning 30 January 1863, the Two Sisters was assigned to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron and took her first prize on 1 February. off Boca Raton, Florida.  On 30 April it captured the Agnes off Tortugas carrying cotton.    Then it took another runner off Anciote Key, Florida.

It continued patrols and kept special attention on blockade running between Bayport, Florida, and Havana.  Bayport is north of Tampa.

On 15 October the Two Sisters, USS Sea Bird and USS Fox assisted the USS Honduras in the capture of the Havana bound British steamer Mail which was running with cotton and turpentine.

Bayport proved to be good hunting grounds as the Two Sisters captured the  schooner Maria Alberta there on 27 November.  This is the capture I wrote about Tuesday and why I am writing about this ship now.  Like I said, I'd never heard of it before.

--Old B-Runner

USS Two Sisters-- Part 1: Former Confederate Blockade Runner

From Wikipedia.

The USS Two Sisters was a small 54 ton schooner captured from the Confederates and acquired by the Union Navy from the prize court.  It served both as a blockading gun boat and as a ship tender when needed.

Not much is known about it other than it used sails for propulsion and had one 12-pdr. gun.

It was built in 1856 in Baltimore, Maryland, and captured 21 September 1862 by the USS Albatross off the mouth of the Rio Grande while attempting to pass through the Union blockade into Brownsville, Texas, with a cargo of 87 bales of gunny cloth.  (Gunny cloth was used for the baling of cotton.)

It was later purchased by the U.S. Navy at the Key West Prize Court and commissioned January 30, 1863, at Key West, Acting Master William A. Arthur in command.

--Old B-Runner

November 27, 1863: USS Two Sisters Seized Blockade Runner in Florida

NOVEMBER 27TH, 1863:  The USS Two Sisters, Acting master  Charles H. Rockwell, seized blockade running schooner Maria Alberta near Bayport, Florida.

--Old B-Runner

Donaldsonville, La. --Part 5: Battle of Fort Butler

Part of Fort Butler's garrison included  the 1st Louisiana Volunteers, a black military group, as well as some Louisiana Native Guard and some fugitive slaves.

In June 1863, Confederate forces consisting of more than 1,000 Texas Rangers under General Tom Green attacked Fort Butler.  Free Blacks and fugitive slaves joined in the successful defense of the fort.  This is one of the first instances of Blacks fighting as a group for the Union.

The Fort is on the NRHP.

The American Civil War site:

Major Thomas Greens's cavalry was joined by Major General James P. Major's troops.  On June 28, 1863,  in the early morning hours, they attacked the fort.  The small garrison was aided by Union gunboats in the river.  There was some close hand-to-hand combat, even at times with bricks being thrown.

With daylight, the Fort was still in Union hands and the Confederates withdrew.

It Is Hard To Find Information On This Battle.  --Old B-R'er

Donaldsonville, La.-- Part 4: Fort Butler

Many escaping slaves entered Union lines to gain their freedom.  General Benjamin Butler declared them to be contraband and would not return them to their owners.  They stayed and worked for the Union and helped build the star-shaped Fort Butler in Donaldsonville.

It was a work of earth and wood, one 381 feet long facing the Mississippi River.  The other sides were protected by Bayou Lafourche and the land side had a deep moat.  A stockade surrounded the fort which contained a high and thick earth parapet.

It was built to accommodate 600 men, but in 1863, only manned by a small force of about 180.  Their commander was Major Joseph Bullen of the 28th Maine.

--Old B-Runner

Donaldsonville, La.-- Part 3: No Good Confederate Rangers

"A citizens' committee met and decided to ask Governor Moore to keep the [Confederate] Rangers from firing on Federal boats.  These attacks did no real good and brought only crude reprisals against the innocent and helped to keep the Negroes stirred up."

A citizen complained that the Rangers were useless and lawless, and unable or unwilling to protect Confederate property.  The citizen added  that the Confederate people "could not fare worse were we surrounded by a band of Lincoln's mercenary hirelings.  Our homes are entered and pillaged of everything that they [Rangers] see fit to appropriate for themselves."

Union forces established a base at Donaldsonville for their occupation of river parishes.  They took over some plantations, running them as U.S. government plantations to supply the  forces and produce cotton.

--Old B-Runner

Donaldsonville, La.-- Part 2: Destroyed By Farragut

After the war, in 1868, people of Donaldsonville elected Pierre Caliste Landry mayor, the first Black elected to be a mayor of a U.S. city.

In the summer of 1862, the city was bombarded by the Union navy.  Gunboats were sent to town to  warn residents that  if shots were fire from the town, that the area from nine miles north to six miles south would have every structure destroyed.

Admiral Farragut, after ordering its inhabitants to leave, destroyed much of the city and put Ascension Parish under martial law.  According to Louisiana historian John D. Winters, the citizen:  "...left their homes and went to the bayou....a detachment of Yankees went ashore with fire torches in hand."

The hotels,  warehouses, dwellings, and some of the most valuable buildings of the town were destroyed.  Plantations were bombarded and set afire.

Mean Ol' Farragut.  --Old B-R'er

Donaldsonville, Louisiana-- Part 1: Former State Capital and Fort Butler

From Wikipedia.

Abner Read was mortally wounded in a fight with Confederates near here on July 7, 1863.  He died the next day.

I'd never heard of this town before or its role in the Civil War.

It was the former capital of Louisiana (1829-1831), moved from New Orleans as English-speaking people in the state wanted to get the capital away from all the French people on New Orleans.

Union forces attacked and occupied the city in 1862.  Fort Butler was built to protect the city and it was successfully defended on June  28, 1863,  against a Confederate attack.  This marked the first time that free blacks and fugitive slaves fought as soldiers on behalf of the Union Army.  The fort is listed on the NRHP.

--Old B-Runner

Nov. 20, 1863-- Part 2: Send Those Light-Draft Monitors

Farragut noted that there were some  turreted ironclads building at St. Louis and suggested:  "They draw about 6 feet of water and will be the very vessels to operate in the shallow waters of Texas, if the Department would order them down there."

Three days later, the Secretary asked Rear Admiral Porter to "consider the subject and inform the Department as early as practicable to what extent Farragut's wishes can be complied with."

Porter replied on the 27th that he could supply Farragut with eight light drafts "in the course of a month" and that "six weeks from to-day I could have ten vessels sent to Admiral Farragut, if I can get the officers and men...."

--Old B-Runner

November 20, 1863-- Part 1: Farragut Needs More Ships for Gulf Blockade

NOVEMBER 20TH, 1862:  Rear Admiral Farragut, eager to return to sea duty in the Gulf, informed Secretary Welles from New York that the USS Hartford and USS Brooklyn "will not be ready for sea in less than three weeks, from the best information I can obtain.

"I particularly regret it, because I see that General Banks is in the field and my services may be required."

The Admiral noted that he had received a letter from Commodore Bell. commanding  in his absence, which indicated that there was not enough ships to serve on the Texas coast and maintain the blockade elsewhere as well.

--Old B-Runner

July 7, 1863: Death of Abner Read, USN

From the Civil War Naval Chronology.

JULY 7, 1863:  The USS Monongahela, Commander Abner Read, and the USS New London, Lt. Cmdr. George H. Perkins, engaged Confederate field batteries behind the levee about twelve miles below Donaldsonville, Louisiana.

Read, characterized by Farragut as "one of the most gallant and enterprising officers in my squadron," was  mortally wounded in the action.

This should be accurate, so Abner Read was on and in command of the Monongahela at the engagement and was in the company of his former command, the USS New London.

--Old B-R'er

Dr. Ezra Read, Surgeon and Abner Read's Brother

I have been writing about him in my Saw the Elephant: Civil War blog the last several days.

He was a very successful physician at Terre Haute, Indiana, before and after the war.  He took part in the Texas Revolution during the 1830s and treated captured Mexican leader and general Santa Anna.

During the Civil War he was the surgeon of the 21st Indiana Infantry and then the 11th Indiana Cavalry.

Click on My Blogs Saw the Elephant: Civil War to read about him.

--Old B-Runner

Sgt. Albert Husband, USMC

From Find-A-Grave.

Sergeant Albert Husband was also aboard the USS Monongahela on the action where Abner Read was mortally wounded.

Born 7 April 1837  Died 6 May 1921

USMC

Enlisted  7 July 1864
Mustered out February 1868

The enlistment was considerably after when Read was killed in 1863.  Perhaps Husband was in the Navy and transferred to the Marines.

Burial Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

USNH Plot 3  Row 9  Grave 8

This U.S. Navy Plot has many naval Medal of Honor winners buried there.  I'll have to write about it some time in the future.

--Old B-Runner

Was the Agawam At Donaldsonville, Louisiana?

From Wikipedia.

I have the Agawam as being launched 21 April 1863, but not commissioned until 9 March 1864.  If it was launched in April 1863, it might have been, but not if it had no active duty until 1864.

Plus, there is no mention of the Agawam being in the Mississippi River.

As such, I am not sure the Agawam was at Donaldsonville, Louisiana, on July 7, 1963.

America's Navy site has the ships Dewey served on 1861 ti 1867 as follows:  USS Mississippi, USS Brooklyn, USS Agawam, USS Colorado, USS Kearsarge, USS Canadiagua, and back to the USS Colorado.

--Old B-Runner

George Dewey At Battle Where Abner Read Killed

From Wikipedia.

The future Spanish-American War hero George Dewey was at the engagement where Abner Read lost his life.

George Dewey was a young Union officer in 1863 and really making a name for himself on the Mississippi River.  He was highly complimented by his superior officers and Farragut himself.  Farragut made Dewey the executive officer on the USS Agawam, a small gunboat that the admiral often used to carry dispatches and he would be on it when he personally reconnoitered.

Because of its movements, the ship was often under fire by Confederate sharpshooters and temporary batteries.

In July 1863, there was a small engagement at Donaldsonville, Louisiana, which resulted in the death of the USS Monongahela's commander, Abner Read and the severe wounding of its executive officer.

Dewey was present and so distinguished himself for conspicuous gallantry that he was recommended for promotion.  He was given temporary command of the Agawam.

Dewey would later be at the Battles of Fort Fisher.

--Old B-Runner

November 14, 1863: "The Notorious James Duke" Foiled

NOVEMBER 14, 1863:  The USS Bermuda, Acting Lieutenant  J.W. Smith, recaptured schooner Mary Campbell after she had been seized earlier the same day by Confederates under the command of Master Duke, CSN, whose daring exploits five months before, 8 June 1863, had resulted on the capture of a Union ship near New Orleans.

The Bermuda also took an unnamed lugger which the Confederates had used to capture the Mary Campbell.  The captures took place off Pensacola after the ship had come out of the Perdido River under Duke's command.

Lieutenant Smith reported that  "...the notorious James Duke ... also captured the Norman, with which vessel he, with ten of his crew, had made for the land upon my heaving in sight, and I have reason to believe that he beached and burned her...."

Another John Yates Beall?  --Old B-Runner

Was Abner Read On the Monongahela or New London When He Was Mortally Wounded?

As I mentioned in the last two posts, there is some question as to which of these two ships Abner Read was on when he was mortally wounded, plus, the Wikipedia article on him has him dying the following day after the wound, July 8, 1863.

The Find-A-Grave site has his dying on July 12, 1863.  Also, he was commanding the USS New London at the time of his death.A page listing Union naval officer deaths accompanying the Find-A-Grave site has Abner Read dying on July 12, 1863 and having been on the USS Monongahela.

The Together We Served site on Melancton Smith has him commanding the USS Monongahela 1862-1863.  (He also commanded the frigate USS Wabash at both Battles of Fort Fisher.)

The USS Monongahela Wikipedia article has that ship, accompanied by the USS New London involved in the July 7, 1863 battle 12 miles below Donaldsonville, Louisiana, in which the Monongahela's new commander, Abner Read, was killed in action.

So, Go Figure.  --Old B-R'er

Abner Read, USN-- Part 7: Held in High Regard By Farragut "A Source Of Terror To the Rebels"

Regardless of what ship Abner Read may have been on: the USS New London or USS Monongahela,
he was wounded in both the abdomen and his right knee by a Confederate shell that crashed through his ship's bulwarks on the port quarter.

He was taken to a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he died on the evening of the following day.

Farragut and the other officers of the fleet were lavish on the praise they heaped on their fallen comrade  Farragut said that Read  had "...perhaps done as much as any man in this war ....  The very mention of his name was a source of terror to the rebels."

On another occasion, Farragut said, "I know nothing of him prejudicial as a man, but I do know  that no Navy can boast a better officer and I deem him a great loss to both the Navy and to his country."

Legacy:  The destroyers USS Abner Read (DD-526) sunk by a kamikaze in World War II and USS Abner Read (DD-769), a planned ship that wasn't built because of the end of World War II, were named after him.

--Old B-Runner

Abner Read, USN-- Part 6: Wounded in Battle

While repairs were being made to the New London, Read was detached from her on 22 June and ordered to relieve Captain Melancton Smith, commander of the USS Monongahela.  Six days later, in command of his new ship, he headed up the Mississippi River to defend Donaldsonville, Louisiana, which was being threatened by Confederate troops.

The Confederates were desperately try to hold on to Vicksburg and Port Hudson on the river at the time.

At this point, it is not clear whether Abner Read was in command of the USS New London or the USS Monongahela and whether the USS New London was accompanying the Monongahela.

Anyway, Read was patrolling  the Mississippi River between Donaldsonville and New Orleans, when, on the morning of 7 July 1863, Confederates opened fire on the ship with field artillery and musketry.  A shell crashed through the port quarter of the ship and Read was wounded in the abdomen and his right knee.

--Old B-Runner

I Put My Flags Out for Veterans Day / Armistice Day

Well, actually I put them out yesterday in honor of the 243rd birthday of the USMC.  But, they remain up today for the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I with Armistice Day, which in the United States is now also a day to honor those who have served, our veterans.

Armistice day famously dealt with those elevens.

An American artillery gun in the 11th Field Artillery Regiment names "Calamity Jane" fired a single shot at 11 a.m..  This is known as the closing shot of the war.

"There Are Only Two Kinds of People Who Understand Marines"

243 Years Ago, the United States Marines were established.  Today, current and former Marines all over the world will honor the Corps.

"There are only two kinds of people who understand Marines:  Marines and the enemy.  Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.

General William Thomsen, U.S. Army.

--Old B-RunCorps

Abner Read, USN-- Part 5: The Lighthouse Battle

Again, the reason I am writing about him is that I have been writing about the ship  named after him that had its stern blown off by a Japanese mine and later was sunk by a kamikaze in World War II.

Read was promoted to lieutenant commander on 16 July 1862.

On April 18, 1963, he led a  boat expedition which landed  near the lighthouse at Sabine Pass, Texas.  They were attacked by a large group of Confederates who had been hiding in the lighthouse keeper's home.  All but one of Read's group were wounded as they raced back to their boat and rowed out to the New London.

Read suffered a serious wound  to his eye.  Yet, despite this painful wound, he remained on duty until his ship returned to New Orleans for repairs in late May.

--Old B-Runner

Abner Read, USN-- Part 4: Takes Over 30 Prizes, Farragut's Impressed

In the next months, the USS New London took over 30 prizes.  Her success was so remarkable that Flag Officer David Farragut felt he had to have the ship in his new command when he took command of the eastern section of the Gulf Squadron, now called the East Gulf Blockading Squadron.

He wrote:  "...Lieutenant Read's  having made her such a terror to the Confederates in this quarter that justice to the service required me to keep her ...,"    He continued, she was "...absolutely necessary  to command the inland passage...."

For his part, Read was ready for any undertaking.    When he found "...two rebel steamers...at Pass Christian..." on  25 March 1862, the New London headed straight for the CSS Pamlico and CSS Oregon and drove them off to the protection of Confederate shore batteries. after a two-hour engagement.

--Old B-Runner

Abner Read, USN-- Part 3: Helped Save Fort Pickens and Took Command of the USS New London

Read was aboard the USS Supply in Pensacola, Florida,  when the secession crisis came after Abraham Lincoln was elected president.  The USS Wyandotte arrived and needed its hull scraped.  The steamer was short of officers since so many had resigned to cast their lots with the fledgling Confederacy so Read was sent to it.

In her, he helped prevent the Confederates from taking over Fort Pickens.  During this time, though, he fell sick and was sent home to recuperate.

Once recovered, he took over the newly acquired USS New  London on her commissioning 29 October 1861.  Assigned to the Gulf Squadron, he was stationed in Mississippi Sound where she was joined by the USS R.R. Cuyler.  They rook the schooner Olive  on 21 November 1861 with a load of lumber.

--Old B-R'er

Abner Read, USN-- Part 2: Service Aboard Many Ships

Continued from November 5.

Abner Read was born in Urbana, Ohio, and studied at Ohio University, but left before graduation to take a warrant as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy, effective 2 March 1839.  He was assigned to the schooner USS Enterprise in South American waters.  Next, he was on the ship of the line USS Delaware (this ship was burned at Norfolk Navy Yard on April 20, 1861, to prevent capture by Confederates).

After Navy School in Philadelphia, he spent time on the USS Dolphin searching for slavers off the coast of Africa through the summer of 1847.

Then he was on the store ship USS Fredonia at the end of the Mexican War and then to California during the gold rush.  Other duties were on the USS Union, USS Saranac, USS Falmouth and USS Supply.

--Old B-Runner

November 7, 1963: Confederate Guerrillas Attack Unprotected Steamer

NOVEMBER 7, 1863:  Merchant  steamer Allen Collier, with cargo of cotton, was burned by Confederate guerrillas at Whitworth's Landing, Mississippi, after she left the protection of the USS Eastport, Acting Ensign Sylvester Pool.

The uneasy quiet on the river required constant gunboat protection.

--Old B-Runner

Abner Read, USN-- Part 1: Had a WW II Destroyer Named After Him

I have been writing a lot about a World War II destroyer named after him in my Tattooed On Your Soul: World War II blog last month and this month.  The ship had a 70-foot section of its stern blown off in 1943 which was just found this past summer.  It was later sunk by a kamikaze.

If you want to read more about it, click on My Blog List to the right of this.  I have decided to learn more about him.

From Wikipedia.

(5 April 1821 to 7 July 1863)

Was an officer in the Union Navy who distinguished himself during the Civil War.  He died of injuries received while patrolling the Mississippi River in the USS New London.  At the time of his death he was a lieutenant commander.

--Old B-Runner

USS Emma-- Part 3: At Both Battles of Fort Fisher

She remained with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until the end of the war.  It participated in the destruction of the blockade runner Ella off Wilmington, N.C. on 6 December 1864.

It was also at the two battles of Fort Fisher, December 24 and 25, 1864, and January 13-15, 1865.

On 26  April 1865, the Emma sailed from Fort Caswell, N.C., with an urgent message for  from General William T. Sherman to Rear Admiral Dahlgren of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, which warned the admiral that Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet had not been located and might be heading for Cuba.

The Emma then put into Key West before returning to the Carolina coast until 24 August when she went to Boston where she was decommissioned August 30 and sold in November.

She operated as the merchant steamer Gaspe from 1866 until her sinking near Miquelon Island (near Newfoundland) 14 June 1872.

--Old B-Runer

The Confederate States Naval Academy-- Part 2: Set Up Like USNA

In general, the curriculum, studies and discipline at the new school was patterned after that of the United States Naval Academy.  The training was truly realistic as the midshipmen were regularly called upon to take part in actual combat.

When they left  the academy they were seasoned veterans.

Commander John M. Brooke, CSN, wrote Navy Secretary Mallory about the midshipmen as follows:  "Though but from 14 to 18 years of age, they eagerly seek every opportunity presented for engaging in hazardous enterprises; and those who are sent upon them uniformly exhibit good discipline, conduct, and courage."

--Old B-Runner

October 31, 1863: Establishment of the Confederate States Naval Academy-- Part 1

OCTOBER 31ST, 1863:  During October instruction began for 52 midshipmen at the Confederate States Naval Academy.  Lieutenant W.H. Parker, CSN, was Superintendent of the "floating academy" housed on board the CSS Patrick Henry at Drewry's Bluff on the James River.

The initial move to establish a naval academy was taken in December 1861 when the Confederate Congress passed a bill calling for "some form of education" for midshipmen.  Further legislation in the spring of 1862 provided for the appointment of 106 acting midshipmen to the Naval Academy.

In May 1862, the Patrick Henry was designated as the academy ship, and alterations were undertaken to ready her for this new role.

00Old B-Runner

USS Emma-- Part 2: Sold To U.S. Navy At N.Y. Prize Court

The Emma was a single screw steamer built in Glasgow, Scotland, for Thomas S. Begbie.  The Emma and her sister ship, the Gertrude were named for his two daughters.

The ship was captured on 24 July 1864 by the Army transport SS Arago off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina, on its third voyage.  It was purchased by the U.S. Navy at prize court in New York City on 30 September 1863 and fitted out at the New York Navy Yard and put to sea 4 November 1863 with Acting Master G.B. Livingston in command.

The Emma arrived at Newport News, Virginia 7 November 1863 and joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron as a picket and patrol vessel.

--Old B-Runner

USS Emma I: A Captured Blockade Runner

I was unable to find out anything about the blockade runner Emma captured by the USS Rosalie on 9 June 1864 but did come across another blockade runner of the same name that was captured, became a Union ship and participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher.  Well, you know me, anything with Fort Fisher and I am interested.

From Wikipedia.

The Emma was launched  24 November 1862 and captured 24 July 1863.  Acquired by U.S. Navy 30  September 1863 commissioned  4 November 1863.  Decommissioned  30 August 1865.  Sold 1 November 1865.

350 tons, 156 feet ling 21 foot beam, screw-propelled, 12 knots,  68 crew,  six 24-pdr howitzers and  two 12-pdr. rifles.

--Old B-Runner

USS Norfolk Packet-- Part 3: Two More Captures and Decommissioning

On 11 March 1864, the Norfolk Packet assisted the USS Beauregard in capturing the British schooner  Linda attempting to run into Mosquito Inlet and took the sloop Sarah Mary on 26 May.

After the war, the Norfolk Packet departed Port Royal on 23 June 1865 and was decommissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard  12 July.  It was sold at public auction 10 August.

--Old B-Runner

USS Norfolk Packet-- Part 2: Service in SABS

Next, the Norfolk Packet bombarded Vicksburg, Mississippi, 27 June to July 8, 1862.  It supported Farragut's run past the batteries to meet Flag Officer Davis' Western Flotilla.

Following this action, it sailed to Baltimore, Maryland for repairs.

After this it was assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and arrived at Port Royal, S.C., 7 November 1862.  For the rest of the war it served on that station blockading the coastal waters of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

She participated in the bombardment of Fort McAllister by Savannah, Georgia, on 3 March 1863; captured the  schooner Ocean Bird  off St. Augustine Inlet, Florida on October 23, 1863 (which I wrote about this past Tuesday and why I am researching this vessel further).

--Old B-Runner

USS Norfolk Packet-- Part 1: Bought By Navy and at Battle of New Orleans

From Wikipedia.

Was a large schooner purchased by the U.S. Navy 10 September 1861 and commissioned  7 February 1862.

It was 108 feet long,  gad a 28.2-foot beam, was a sailing ship, crew of 40 and mounted a 13-inch mortar, two 32-pdr. guns and two 12-pdr. guns.

It was bought from George Goodspeed of New York City and converted for naval use by J. Engles at the New York Navy Yard.   First commander was Lt. Watson Smith.

Assigned to the mortar squadron of  Cmdr. David Dixon Porter and participated in Farragut's attack on New Orleans.  The flotilla moved into position on 16 April and the mortar ships pounded Forts Jackson and St. Philip below New Orleans. Farragut's ship ran past the forts and New Orleans surrendered the next day.

--Old B-Runner

October 23, 1863: Blockade Runner Captured Off St. Augustine Inlet, Florida

OCTOBER 23RD, 1863:  The USS Norfolk Packet, Acting Ensign George W. Wood, captured the schooner Ocean Bird off St. Augustine Inlet, Florida.

--Old B-R'er

SS Republic (USS Tennessee)-- Part 5: The Sinking

By evening , her hull was leaking so badly that the fire in her boiler was extinguished, and she stalled in the heavy seas, now taking on more water  than her crew and passengers could bail out.

At 4 p.m., October 25, 1865, she sank.  The passengers and crew escaped on lifeboats but 40-foot seas because of the hurricane  made staying afloat very challenging.  They were not found until two days later, in much suffering, by the sailing ship  Horace Beals.

On October 29, the steamer General Hooker had been sent to look for the Republic, and rendezvoused with the Horace Beals and the passengers transferred to it and taken to Charleston, S.C..

Most of the passengers and crew survived, though a few were lost in the seas after the sinking.  The gold coins were lost.

Of course, with those gold coins out there somewhere, people began looking for them.

--Old B-Runner

USS Tennessee, Now SS Republic, Sinks

The SS Republic was lost on her fifth voyage after reverting to a civilian ship.

It left New York on  October 18, 1865, bound for New Orleans.  According to her captain, he was carrying passengers and  a cargo of $400,000 in coins, mostly in gold $10 and $29 pieces, intended for use as hard currency after the Civil War.

The city of New Orleans, captured by the Union early in the war, had become a thriving center of commerce, but  "hard money" as represented by these coins, was in short supply.

On the fifth day of the voyage, a hurricane off the coast of Georgia proved too strong for the Republic.

--Old B-Runner

USS Tennessee-- Part 3: USS Tennessee, USS Mobile, SS Republic

As a Union blockader, the USS Tennessee was fast enough to be effective and also powerful as it bombarded Fort Morgan during the Battle of Mobile Bay.

In September 1864, she was renamed USS Mobile so the ironclad  CSS Tennessee, captured at the Battle of Mobile Bay, could be the USS Tennessee.

In October 1864, he USS Mobile was damaged by a hurricane off the mouth of the Rio Grande and sent to New York for repairs..  There, after inspection, it was determined that it would be too expensive to repair and it was decommissioned in December 1864.

Sold at auction in March 1865 and renamed the SS Republic, repaired and placed in service again running between New York and New Orleans hauling passengers and cargo.

A Ship of Many Names.  --Old B-T'er

USS Rosalie-- Part 4: Further Duty and Decommissioning

On 9 June 1864, the Rosalie seized her only prize steamer, the Emma,  as it attempted to bring in coal.  Four months later, she took her last prize, a sponging vessel.

In December 1864, the Rosalie departed Charlotte Harbor for the last time and became a guard vessel at Boca Chica, Florida.  There she remained for the rest of the war.

At the end of May she was designated for disposal through sale at Key West.  Decommissioned in June, she was sold at public auction on the 28th to Mr. Benjamin Roberts.

Story of a Little-Known, But Active Ship.  --Old B-Runner

USS Rosalie-- Part 3: Capturing Runners and Army Operations

I started writing about this ship Monday and then got off subject, so here is the rest of the story.

By July 18, 1863, the Rosalie had added a sponging vessel and a small sloop to her lost of captures.  On 1 August she took the British schooner George after spotting her abandoned and without cargo hidden in the Caloosahatchee River.

On the 7th of August, the Rosalie took a small sailboat with three occupants and made them prisoners on suspicion of espionage.  On 30 December she captured another British schooner. and began patrolling Estero Bay as well.

Much of the rest of her career, the Rosalie supported Army operations along the west coast of Central Florida.Such missions primarily involved the transportation of scouts or the protection of refugees and seldom went far from Charlotte Harbor.

--Old B-Runner

USS Tennessee-- Part 2: 49ers, Walker, Captured Then ReCaptured

During the California Gold Rush, the Tennessee transported "49ers" to the eastern shore of Panama and Nicaragua  It delivered the last group of "immigrants" volunteering as mercenary soldiers for William Walker in Nicaragua and after his defeat, took hundreds of his men back home.

After that, the Tennessee regularly served the Vera Cruz, Mexico-New Orleans  route, transporting large numbers of immigrants and Mexican gold and silver.  She was tied up at New Orleans when the Civil War began.

She was seized and became the CSS Tennessee with intentions of being a blockade runner.  She never was able to fulfill that and was captured by Union forces when New Orleans fell on 1862, and was put into Union service as the USS Tennessee and temporarily served as  Farragut's flagship at the conclusion of the Mississippi River Campaign.

--Old B-Runner

USS Tennessee (SS. Tennessee)

From Wikipedia.

It is listed under its last name, SS Republic, in Wikipedia.

SS Republic was a sidewheel steamship, originally named the SS Tennessee, then the CSS Tennessee, then the USS Tennessee and the USS Mobile.  (Not to be confused with the ironclad CSS Tennessee which served in the Union navy after its capture as the USS Tennessee.)

It was lost as the SS Republic off the coast of Savannah, Georgia in a hurricane in October 1865.Built in Baltimore in 1853 for the Baltimore and Southern Steam Packet Company.  It sailed between Baltimore and Charleston, S.C.   It later made a trans-Atlantic trip and later had the first regular passenger service between New York City and Central America.

--Old B-R'er

October 16, 1863: USS Tennessee and the Blockade Runners

OCTOBER 16, 1863:  Commodore H.H. Bell reported that the USS Tennessee, Acting Lieutenant Wiggin, had seized blockade running British schooner Friendship off Rio Brazos, Texas, with a cargo of munitions from Havana, and caused the schooner Jane to be destroyed by her own crew to prevent her capture.

--Old B-Runner

USS Rosalie-- Part 2: Captures A Blockade Runner

Of course, the Rosalie's size and shallow draft was of great help in navigating the smaller inlets along Florida's west coast.

The sloop Rosalie was was captured on 16 March 1863 by the USS Octorara while attempting to run from Bermuda into the Confederate port of Charleston, S.C.. and sent to Key West for adjudication.  Purchased by the Navy on 6 May 1863 and fitted out as a tender, commissioned June 1863 with Acting Ensign Charles P. Clark in command.

She was assigned to the Florida west coast as tender to the blockading ship off Charlotte Harbor.  On June 6, she spotted the schooner Ann and  small sloop and pursued the ships three days up Peace Creek (River).  Though frequently grounding, on the 7th, the Rosalie was joined by two cutters from the USS Restless.

On the 8th, the Union ships captured the Confederate ships with large cargoes of cotton.

--Old B-Runner

USS Rosalie-- Part 1: Former Blockade Runner

This Union blockading sailing ship had  operations with the USS Gem of the Sea and Charlotte Harbor, Florida, which I have written about earlier.

From Wikipedia.

Was a captured blockade running sloop acquired by the U.S. Navy in prize court.

Captured  16 March 1863,  Acquired U.S. Navy 6 May 1863.  Commissioned June 1863.  Decommissioned June 1865.  Length 45 feet, 17 foot beam,   Armament:  one 12-pdr  smoothbore gun.

--Old B-R'er

USS Bermuda-- Part 9: Decommissioned, Sold and Sank in 1882

On the Bermuda's seventh cruise to the Gulf of Mexico, she encountered a sloop off the coast of Florida and fired a shot across its bow after a short chase  It proved to be the Forester which had  recently emerged from Indian River Inlet with a cargo of cotton and turpentine.  The Bermuda took the cargo aboard, took the prize in tow and resumed on his way to Port Royal.

However, the Forester began taking on water and sank.

The Bermuda continued shuttling between Philadelphia and the Gulf of mexico for  the rest of the war, bring needed supplies to the Union blockaders there.

On September 22, 1865, she arrived back at the Philadelphia Navy yard where she was decommissioned.  She was sold at public auction to Samuel C. Cook, and became a merchant ship named the General Meade until February 10, 1882, when she foundered in a storm while en route from Puerto Rico to New York City.

I have not been able to find out anything about the Meorge meade.

--Old B-Runner

James Duke Must Have Been Another John Yates Beall

Both had commissions as acting masters in the Confederate Navy and both were involved with secret missions.  I will have to do more research on this Duke fellow.

I have already written a lot about Beall in this blog and right now am writing a whole lot about him in my Saw the Elephant Civil War blog.

--Old B-Runner

USS Bermuda-- Part 8: Encounter with James Duke, CSN

On her next cruise out of Pensacola, Florida,, the Bermuda spotted three schooners and a large lugger (type of ship) together on November 19, 1863.  As it approached them, they separated and the Bermuda fired a shot across the bow of the closest one.  It stopped, but the others headed off quickly to seaward.

It proved to be the Venice of New Orleans which was heading to Pensacola under charter of the Union Army.  He explained that the other two schooners, the Norman and Mary Campbell, were also under contract and he too was confused as to why the others fled.

The Bermuda then gave a four-hour chase and fired seven shots before overtaking the Mary Campbell.  It was learned that earlier that day, a Confederate raiding party under Acting Master James Duke, CSN,  had captured the other two boats and probably intended to take the Venice until the Bermuda showed up on the scene.

James Duke was already notorious for doing things like this and fled toward land in the Norman and ten members of the luggers crew and ran the ship aground, set the ship on fire and escaped.  The Bermuda returned the Mary Campbell to her original master and allowed the ships to continue on their way to Pensacola.

Duke Is Foiled.  --Old B-Runner

USS Bermuda-- Part 7: Capturing Blockade Runners

On August 14, 1863, on her second voyage, while steaming from Brownsville, Texas, to Galveston, the Bermuda spotted a ship and overtook it.  It was the British schooner Artist with a cargo of medicines, liquors and wine and took her as a prize.

That evening, the Bermuda captured another blockade runner, the Carmita with a cargo of cotton.

On the next cruise, the Bermuda again had good luck in the prize money department when it captured the blockade runner Florrie with assorted cargo including medicine, wine and saddles on October 2, 1863.  Thus was the subject of my timeline on Oct. 2.  The captain acted like he did not know where he was.  Not falling for it, the Bermuda sent the ship to New Orleans for prize court.

--Old B-Runner

October 9, 1863: Nice Jobs, Get Charleston, But...

OCTOBER 9TH, 1863:  Secretary Welles commended Rear Admiral Dahlgren on the work of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron off Charleston the preceding month and cited Brigadier General Gillmore's "brilliant operations" on Morris Island.

Noting that, though the first step in the capture of Charleston was taken, the remainder would be full of risk, he added:  "While there is intense feeling pervading the country in regard to the fate of Charleston ... the public impatience must not be permitted to hasten your own movements into immature and inconsiderate action against your own deliberate convictions nor impell you to hazards that may jeopardize the best interest of the country without adequate results...."

--Old B-R'er

USS Bermuda-- Part 6: Supplying the Blockading Fleets

The USS Bermuda made sixteen round trip voyages to the Gulf of Mexico, most of the time resupplying the ships of Farragut's West Gulf Blockading squadron  Besides supplies, she also carried passengers, usually officers and enlisted men going to and from blockade duty, sick men returning north to recuperate and prisoners captured afloat

On return trips, the Bermuda often had captured cotton.or ashore.

Other spots the Bermuda visited on her first voyage were Key West, Tampa Bay, St. Mark's and Pensacola.  After that, she provisioned the ships of the Mobile blockade, entered the Mississippi River and spent a week in quarantine and to New Orleans.

Then, it was on to Farragut's fleet off Galveston.  It then returned home, stopping at many of the same places.

--Old B-Runner

USS Bermuda-- Part 5: Not Condemned for a Year and Union Service

The Bermuda arrived in Philadelphia on May 3, 1862,  and was arraigned before the U.S. District Court.  Proceedings began August 12.  Final arguments were heard four days later, but the steamer was not condemned until <arch 5, 1863, almost a year after her capture.

The Bermuda was then purchased by the U.S. Navy and fitted out in the Philadelphia Navy Yard for service as a supply vessel.  It was commissioned on May 13, 1863, with Acting Master J.W. Smith in command.  Later that day it steamed down the Delaware River with supplies for both of the Gulf Coast Blockading Squadrons.

Eight days later it arrived at the mouth of Indian River, Florida, and  issued supplies to the bark USS Gem of the Sea.  That began two years of service bringing provisions and supplies to blockading fleets.

--Old B-R'er

USS Bermuda-- Part 4: Cannons and Paper

The USS Mercidita's boarding party found discrepancies in the cargo manifest, but also a thousand tons of contraband cargo including:  "a battery of seven field pieces (rifled), with carriages and everything complete, a number of heavier cannon, 42,720 pounds of powder in barrels, and  one-half and one-fourth barrels. 70 barrels of cartridges, over 600 cases of shells. etc....."

The ship's log revealed she had run the blockade before and her commander admitted the cargo was destined for the rebel states.  As a result, Commander Henry S. Stellwagen of the Mercidita seized the ship and sent her to Philadelphia under Lt. Trevett Abbott and a 30-man prize crew.

Part of the cargo seized was a shipment of blank paper sheets that were intended for printing Confederate currency.  This was by far the most important part of the Bermuda's cargo.

--Old B-Runner

USS Bermuda-- Part 3: Captured

Because of improvements in the Union blockade in which faster steamers and with shallower drafts had the better chances of success.  The Bermudas 17-foot draft and comparatively slow 11 knots worried its owners.

Simply, it would be too dangerous to make another run into a Confederate port.  They decided to turn their ship into one that would take larger cargoes to Bermuda, unload and let swifter ships make the final run to the Confederacy.

In February 1862, the Bermuda left England with a large load of ordnance supplies and arrived in Bermuda in March, but was not allowed to unload, so went to Nassau.

However, on April 27, she was spotted by the USS Mercidita which gave chase and caught her.

--Old B-Runner

USS Bermuda-- Part 2: As A Blockade Runner

The Bermuda was an iron-hulled steamer built in 1861 in England to make money on the huge profits that could be made running the blockade.  It was eventually sold to Messrs.  A.S. Henckle and George Alfred Trenholme of Charleston, S.C..

It was chartered to Frasier Trenholme & Co. in England, which served the Confederate government as uts financial and commercial agent there.

The Bermuda left England in August 1861.  It crossed the Atlantic under British colors and ran into Savannah, Georgia, with a million dollars worth of war material.  She loaded 2,000 bales of cotton on board when she left and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Liverpool, England.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher Is Open Again

From the September 25, 2018, Friends of Fort Fisher.

According to Friends of Fort Fisher executive director Christine Divoky, after being closed for two weeks in the wake of Hurricane Florence, Fort Fisher is now open again.

Always Good News.  --Old B-R'er

USS Bermuda-- Part 1: Former Blockade-Runner

I had never heard of the USS Bermuda before I wrote yesterday's blog entry.  It had quite an interesting naval career.\\From Wikipedia.

Formerly a blockade runner captured by the Union Navy and then bought in prize court for U.S. service and used primarily as a cargo and transport ship primarily along the Florida coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.

Was launched in 1861 and captured by the United States on April 27, 1862, and bought around March 5, 1863.211 feet long, 21.7 foot beam,  16.8 foot draft, 11 knots, 122 crew, armament one nine-inch smoothbore gun and two 30-pdr. Parrott rifle cannons.

Its speed and depth had a lot to do with its role a s a blockade runner as well as its use as a blockader.

--Old B-Runner

October 2, 1863: USS Bermuda Captures A Blockade Runner

OCTOBER 2ND, 1862:

The The USS Bermuda, Acting Master J.W. Smith, seized blockade running British schooner Florrie near Matagorda, Texas, with cargo including medicine, wine and saddles.

--Old B-Runner

Florida in the Civil War

From the Punta Gordo Historical Center Blog "Gem of the Sea and the Charlotte Harbor Blockade During the Civil War."

Florida became a part of the Confederacy early in the secession movement, being the third state of the original seven to withdraw from the Union.

Florida had a very small population at the time and nearly half of them were slaves.

It only sent 15,000 troops to the Confederate Army.

Its chief importance was in food supply and blockade running because of its long coast full of inlets which were hard to patrol.

--Old B-R'er

USS Gem of the Sea and Charlotte Harbor-- Part 2: The Nemesis of Charlotte Harbor

On June 11, 1864, the USS Gem of the Sea shared in the capture of the steamer Emma by her tender Rosalie, for violation of the blockade near Charlotte Harbor.

The Gem of the Sea remained at Charlotte Harbor until February 1865 when the Civil War came to an end.  It then went to the Philadelphia Navy Yard where it was decommissioned and later sold for $6500.

--Old B-Runner

The USS Gem of the Sea and the Blockade of Charlotte Harbor

Starting in 1863, the Union Navy began attempting to suppress the shipment of cattle and hogs from central Florida organized a blockade of Charlotte Harbor.    One of the ships assembled to do this was the USS Gem of the Sea, a wooden bark sailing ship commissioned October 5, 1861,  at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

From December  24 to 30, 1863,  small boats from the Gem of the Sea encountered signal fires and sporadic gunfire from local Southern sympathizers.  The USS Rosalie, sloop, arrived to provide  cover at a shelling position 200 yards from the Myakka's east shore.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Casey (Florida)-- Part 4: No Remains Still There

There are no remains of Fort Casey today.

Location on east central side of Cayo Costa Island at Charlotte Harbor, Lee County, Florida.

There is also a state park there.

During the Civil War, the Charlotte Harbor pier was used to ship cattle to the Confederate Army.

--Old B-R'er

Thomas Childs, Father of Lt. Col. Frederick L. Childs, CSA, Also At Fort Casey

After proofreading the last post, it dawned on me that Brig. Gen. Thomas Childs, who closed Fort Casey, was the father of Confederate Lt.Col. Frederick L. Childs who commanded the Fayetteville Arsenal in North Carolina during the war.

I have written a lot about him in my Saw the Elephant Civil War blog.  Go to the site and click on Frederick Childs to find out more about him.

Small World,  Isn't It?  --Old B-Runner

Fort Casey-- Part 3: Another Civil War Confederate General Was There

One notable officer who served there  for awhile was a young lieutenant in 1850,  Thomas Jackson.  You know, "Stonewall" Jackson.

--Old B-R'er

Fort Casey, Florida-- Part 2: A Short Life for the Fort But a Strong North Carolina Connection and 3 Future Confederate Generals

From Wikipedia.

In 1848, the War Department determined the need for the selection of a new fort at Charlotte Harbor, Florida, to assist in the removal of Native Americans (Seminoles) from the region on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Fort Brooke (in present-day Tampa) commander Major W.W. Morris and Captain John Charles Casey, with other officers, examined the area November  15-22, 1848, and then on January 20, 1949, recommended the island of Giuseppe, now Useppa, as the most suitable location.

The post was established 3 January 1850.  I imagine it must have been named after Captain John Casey.  Brevet Major R.C. Gatlin was the first commander with 108 men of Companies C and F of the 7th Infantry Regiment garrisoned the fort.  (Richard Caswell Gatlin was a North Carolinean West Point graduate who became a Confederate general and for a time was in charge of North Carolina coast defenses.  His maternal grandfather was North Carolina's 1st governor, Richard Caswell.)

The companies were commanded by Brevet 2nd Lieutenant E.D. Stockton and 1st Lieutenant Earl Van Dorn, respectively.  C,H. Crane served as Assistant Surgeon.  (Earl Van Dorn later became a Confederate general.)

On April 7, 1850,  Brevet Major T.H. Holmes took command.  (Theophilus Hunter Holmes later became a Confederate general.  He commanded in North Carolina for awhile and Fort Holmes on Smith Island, now Bald Head Island, was named for him.) Soon afterwards, the 7th Infantry left for Missouri and were replaced by 60 men from Company C, 4th Artillery.

On November 10, 1850, Brevet Brigadier General Thomas Childs of the 1st Artillery arrived at the fort and closed it.  (Childs, 1796-1853, was a career Army officer and was stationed at Fort Johnston at Smithville, now Southport, N.C. in 1843.)

--Old B-Runner

Fort Casey, Florida-- Part 1: Built and Abandoned in 1850

The USS Gem of the Sea went to Useppa Island on the west coast of Florida to aid Florida Rangers

From the Useppa Island Historical Society."

1850   A supply depot on Calusa Ridge is established called Fort Casey is established January 3, 1850.    It was garrisoned by 180 soldiers and abandoned in November of the same year.

1848-1855   U.S. Coast Survey of Charlotte Harbor produces "Sketch F" map showing Fort Casey" on Useppa Island. (Bache 1855).

--Old B-Runner

Hurricane Florence Forces Closure of Fort Fisher State Historic Site

From the September 19, 2018, Wilmington (NC) Star-News.

The visitors center at Fort Fisher State Historic Site has suffered leakage.  (To be fair, the center, built in 1964 does need a new roof but a new center is in the planning so not likely.)

Christine Divoky, the Friends of Fort Fisher director reported that fragile items in the museum had been removed to Raleigh in advance of the storm.

Some trees are down and there is still water standing on the World War II airstrip.

--Old B-Runner

September 25, 1863: An Epidemic Breaks Out in New Orleans

SEPTEMBER 26TH, 1863:  Epidemic sickness was one of the persistent hazards of extended blockade duty in warm climates.

This date, to illustrate, Commodore H.H. Bell reported to Secretary Welles from New Orleans:  "I regret to inform the Department that a pernicious fever has appeared on board the United States steamers repairing at this port from which some deaths have ensued.

"Some of the cases have been well-defined yellow fever, and others are recognized here by the names of pernicious and congestive fever."

A Dangerous Duty.  --Old B-R'er

USS Gem of the Sea Correspondence Book-- Part 7: Maurice Clifford Young Collection

The correspondence book of the USS Gem of the Sea was from the collection of M. Clifford (Cliff) and Lynne B. Young Confederate Blockade Runner Collection.

Now, this sounds like a collection of material I'd be interested in knowing more about so I did some further research.

He died so that is why his collection is up for sale.

Obituary from the Boston (Mass.) Globe.

MAURICE CLIFFORD YOUNG

Died September 21, 2015.  Was a Naval Intelligence Officer in two wars.  Bronze Star recipient.  Very athletic.  Played football at Harvard and set many other athletic records.

--Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea Correspondence Book-- Part 6: A Possible Tender?

August 1, 1863

Charlotte Harbor, Fl. to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, reporting the capture of the British schooner Georgie abandoned, but less than six months old and in good condition.

Baxter asked for permission to keep her as a tender to the Gem of the Sea.

--Old B-R'er

USS Gem of the Sea Correspondence Book-- Part 5: Cut Us IN

March 6, 1863

At Anchor of Indian River, to Theordore Bailey, Commanding  E.G.N. Squadron, stating grievances of officers and crew relating to the expedition of  the U.S. gunboat Sagamore up the Indian River, which forced the Gem of the Sea to temporarily cease her own operations and traverse a treacherous sandbar in order to provide  provisions for the Sagamore's crew.

Baxter requests a portion of any of the Sagamore's prize money as she would  not have been successful without the aid of his crew.

Keeping Up With the Prize Money.  --Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea Correspondence Book-- Part 4: Intentionally Sank a 'Worthless' Blockade Tunner

Continued from September 10, 2018.

January 1, 1863:    At anchor off the entrance to Indian River to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, reporting the capture of  the blockade running sloop Ann bound for Nassau with four crew and a small cargo of salt and other provisions.

Baxter deemed her "old and leaky" and her cargo of insufficient value to be sent for  adjudication, so he destroyed her and much of her cargo., forwarded her papers to the commanding officer of the  East Gulf Blockading Squadron, and transferred her crew (four British subjects) to the gunboat USS Sagamore.

--Old B-Tunner

USS Gem of the Sea at the Myakka River Skirmish, Florida-- Part 2

Commanded by Acting Master's Mate Peter Coffin, the U.S. sloop Rosalie arrived to provide cover at a shelling position 200 yards from the Myakka's east shore, opening fire with a howitzer when clashes escalated on December 30.

Fifteen Florida refugee rangers led by ranger Captain Enoch Daniels had proceeded on a scouting mission over land to the northeast, and some witnessed the skirmish on their return.

Union forces retreated to their boats with , with one seaman injured.

The Myakka skirmish led Union leaders that thousands of regular troops would be needed to capture and  hold mainland Charlotte Harbor, so the area cattle continued to be driven north to feed the Confederate Army.

--Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea at Myakka River Skirmish-- Part 1

From the Charlotte County Portal.

Myakka River Civil War Skirmish.

During the American Civil War in late 1863, Union forces and "refugee rangers" encountered local combatants in a brief skirmish on the east shore of the Myakka River near today's El Jobean  It is the only recorded Civil war skirmish within the boundaries of present-day Charlotte County.

From December 24 to 39, Union military regulars commanded by Acting Ensign J.H. Jenks on small boats from the bark USS Gem of the Sea encountered signal fires and sporadic gunfire from local Southern sympathizers.

--Old B-Tunner

The USS Gem of the Sea and the Useppa Island Rescue

From the Useppa Island Historical Society "A History of 10,000 Years."

Back on September 6, 2018, I wrote about the USS Gem of the Sea escorting Florida Rangers off Useppa Island in Florida.

In 1863   Union soldiers encamp on Useppa Island.  Charlotte Harbor is blockaded to prevent beef shipments to the Confederacy.  The area is sparsely populated by hunters, fishermen and farmers.

Union sympathizers  find refuge on the island under the protection of the Union Army.  Some of them are active in the Union Florida Rangers cavalry unit.

--Old B-Runner

September 19, 1863: Horace Hunley Wants Command of His Submarine in Charleston Harbor

SEPTEMBER 19TH, 1863:    Horace L. Hunley wrote General Beauregard, commanding Charleston, S.C., requesting that command of the submarine bearing his name be turned over to him.  "I propose," Hunley said, "if you will place the boat in my hands to furnish a new crew (in whole or part) from Mobile who are well acquainted with its management & make an attempt to destroy a vessel of the enemy as early as practicable."

Three days later, Brigadier General  Jordan, Beauregard's Chief of Staff, directed that the submarine be "cleaned and turned over to him with the understanding that said Boat shall be ready for service in two weeks."

Under Hunley's direction, a crew was brought to Charleston from Mobile, the H.L. Hunley was readied, and a number of practice dives carried out preparatory to making an actual attack.

Getting ready.

Confederate Sub Hunley May Move From North Charleston-- Part 2:

But a lot has changed since 2004.    North Charleston has withdrawn its offer.  It is taking much longer to conserve than expected.  Plus, S.C. Senator Glenn McConnell, a major leader in getting the Hunley to North Charleston has retired.

Patriots Point already has a lot of visitors to its aircraft carrier Yorktown and several other ships and aircraft, so even more people would visit the Hunley.  North Charleston says they can accommodate a new Hunley museum and conservation area.

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Sub Hunley May Move from North Charleston

From the August Charleston (SC) Post and Courier "Confederate sub Hunley may move from North Charleston to Mount Pleasamdt" by Robert Behre.

It has been almost two years since the Confederate submarine Hunley was raised from the water but it is now unclear where its final resting place will be.  It is in North Charleston, S.C., right now, but may end up at Patriot's Point naval and maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant.

In 2004, after two years of jockeying, the city of North Charleston beat out Mount Pleasant and Charleston as the planned site for the Hunley Museum, partly because North Charleston pledged $13 million toward its construction.

--Old B-Runner

USS Glasgow: A Busy Ship

On July 1, 1864, the USS Glasgow fired on an unknown blockade runner also under the guns of Fort Morgan.  When Fort Gaines surrendered to Union forces on August 8, 1864, the Glasgow was there.  Admiral David Farragut came onboard for a brief visit November 26.

During 1865, the Glasgow continued her duties and in addition, due to her speed and light draft, was flagship of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.  She struck an obstruction and sank in shoal water off Mobile 8 May 1865, and was not raised until  19 June.

After that, the ship went to Pensacola, Florida, for repairs and returned to duty 1 July 1866.

The Glasgow was chosen to continue in the U.S. Navy after the war and continued cruising in the Gulf of Mexico.  She served as a storeship and visited  New Orleans, Lakeport and Mexican ports until she entered the Pensacola Navy Yard for repairs 23 January 1868.

The Glasgow departed Pensacola 10 March and spent five months cruising with the squadron on the lower Mississippi River and off Pensacola where she returned 6 August.

Decommissioning came 17 October 1868 and was sold 4 June 1869 to Thomas McClellan.

NOTE.  This ship should not be confused with the USS Eugenie (1862).  This is the first Eygenie I wrote about last week.

This still doesn't clear up the question of which ship captured the blockade runner Alabama.

--Old B-R'er

The Huntress, Last Slave Ship to Leave the Congo in 1865

From Wikipedia.

The Huntress was out of New York and was a hermaphrodite schooner that transported slaves.  It is the last slave ship to leave the Congo of Africa after buying slaves from the Africans.

In March 1865, the Huntress left with a capacity of 200  slaves headed for Louisiana.  When the slave trade ended in 1808, slave readers turned to fast ships, largely topsail schooners and brigs, to outrun the vessels of Britain's West Africa Squadron and the American Navy's African Slave Trade Patrol.

"Negro Island" in the Mermentau River is thought to be the location where the Huntress' cargo died under horrible conditions.  However, records show a Huntress-type vessel landed a cargo of slaves in Cuba in 1864.

--Old B-Runner

'Skull Island' on the Mermentau River: Remains of the Last Slaves From Africa?

In the last post, I mentioned the USS Eugenie/USS Glasgow going on an expedition to Mermentau Lake in Louisiana.  Wikipedia made no mention of the lake, but did of the river.

It is located in the western part of the state.

The Mermentau River has the infamous "Negro Island"  (also known as "Skull Island") near the tiny village of Grand Chenier. In March 1867, countless skeletons, skulls and leg bones were found still shackled by rusting leg irons.

It is thought that with the Civil War over, a slaver ship, fearful of being caught violating the 1820 U.S. law on Slave Trade would be charged with piracy and hanged.

It is believed that this gruesome discovery might be the human cargo carried by the slaver  schooner Huntress which is known to be the last slave ship to leave the Congo with a cargo of 200 slaves.

A Horrible Story.  --Old B-Runner

USS Glasgow-- Part 2: Mermantau Lake and the Name Change

The Eugenie was sent on an expedition to Mermentau River/Lake, Louisiana, on 22 December 1863 for the capture of two British blockade runners, the schooner Derby was captured, but had to be burnt  because of heavy enemy shore fire on the attacking party.

RENAMED

The Eugenie was renamed USS Glasgow on January 21, 1864. after a week of repairing in New Orleans.  In early February it was back on station wit the blockading fleet near Mobile, Alabama.

Serving mainly as a dispatch boat, the Glasgow aided in the destruction of the blockade runner Ivanhoe under the fire of Fort Morgan 30 June 1864.

--Old B-Runner

USS Glasgow; Was This The Ship That Captured the Blockade Runner Alabama-- Part 2

USS Glasgow (1863)

Was a blockade runner captured by the U.S. Navy.  Used mainly as a dispatch boat and storeship.

The Glasgow was originally the blockade runner Eugenie, captured off Mobile by the USS  R.R. Cuyler.  She was purchased from the U.S. Prize Court in Key West, Florida, and commissioned 9 July 1863, Acting Ensign N.M. Dyer in command.

252 tons, sidewheel, armament one 12-pdr.  howitzer, one 12-pdr.  rifle.

She was assigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and served as a dispatch boat and supply ship for the squadron between  Mobile Bay and Pensacola, Florida.

--Old B-Runner

Some Confusion On the USS Eugenie-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Was a captured Confederate schooner acquired by the U,S. Navy through prize court and put into service at Key west, Florida.  Not much is known about her, but 150 tons and mounted one gun.

Original name Eugenie Smith captured February 7, 1862, by the brig Bohio near the mouth of the Mississippi as it attempted to run the blockade.  Sent to Key West for condemnation by the prize court and renamed the Eugenie on 22 April 1862.

Fitted as a guard ship for the port of Key West and placed in command of Acting Master S.F. Holbrook.  Continued as a guard ship until sold in November 1864.

Nothing about it capturing the blockade runner Alabama.

--Old B-Runner

Blockade Runner Alabama

From the Encyclopedia of Alabama.

The first three steamers to run the blockade out of Mobile were the locally owned Alabama, Cuba and Fanny (a captured ship that had been the Fox).  Between may 1862 and September 1863, these three ships were responsible for carrying more than 4,000 bales of cotton to Havana, Cuba.

Using the figures of one of the Alabama's runs to Havana in June 1863 as a base figure, with a cotton bale weighing about 510 pounds and cotton selling for  32 cents a pound, a little more than $3 million in cotton was exported in 16 months.  Even so, this was just one-seventh what had been exported before the war from Mobile.

The Alabama, Cuba and Fanny were lost by mid-September 1863, however.  The Cuba was burned to prevent capture in May 19, 1863; the Alabama was captured on September 12 and the Fanny was burned the same day to prevent capture.

--Old B-R'er

September 12, 1863: Steamer Alabama Captured By USS Eugenie

SEPTEMBER 12TH, 1863:  USS Eugenie, Acting Master's Mate F. H. Dyer, captured steamer Alabama odd Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana.

The Chandeleur Islands are on the easternmost part of Louisiana.  They are barrier islands.

--Old B-Runner

September 11 Attacks: It Was 17 Years Ago Today On a Tuesday

From Wikipedia.

Wikipedia refers to the event as the "September 11 Attacks."  But, it also is referred to as "9/11"  I call it "9-11."

It was a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist  group al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

The attacks killed 2,996 people, injured over 6,000 others and caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage.  Additional people died of 9/11-related cancer and respiratory disease in the months and years following the attacks.

USS Gem of the Sea-- Part 3: Those Monthly Reports

Selections from the correspondence copy book.

DECEMBER 24, 1861

Off Georgetown, S.C., to J.B. Marchand,  Cmding. USS James Adger, asking permission to destroy a schooner laying aground  at North Island, and requesting two boats from the James Adger to assist in the task.

JUNE 15, 1862

"Blockading off Georgetown (SC) addressed to Samuel F. Du Pont, Flag Officer Commanding, an 8.5  page report of everything the gem of the Sea had done between April 10 and June 16.  These were sent every four to ten weeks.

--Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea Correspondence Book-- Part 2: Captured a Lot of Blockade Runners

Like I noticed in the Wikipedia article, this ship, though only a sailing vessel instead of steam, still managed to capture a lot of blockade runners.  I imagine most of these were also powered by sails and probably were smaller.

The gem of the Sea captured four prizes while part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.  Then ,as a member of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron it captured at last a dozen more runners and smaller boats.

An example of what is in the book:

DECEMBER 6, 1861:  To Captain Ringgold of the U.S. Frigate Sabine describing the chase of a small sidewheel steamer which hoisted the Confederate flag once past them so the Gem of the Sea "gave her a shell as a compliment  to the hoisting of her flag."

Take That You Sneaky Sneak.  --Old B-R'er

USS Gem of the Sea Correspondence Book-- Part 1: At Auction

From Cowan's Auctions  Civil War Correspondence Notebook of the USS Gem of the Sea.

Eight-by 12.5-ich book with brown marbleized boards with reinforced buckram binding, 179 of 192 pages filled.

First entry dated  New York, USS bark Gem of the Sea, October 20, 1861.

This book contains all correspondence by Lieutenant Irvin B. Baxter, commanding the ship, to  to Flag Officer Du Pont, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, commanders of other ships, prize commissioners (and he sure had a lot of that) and other officials until January 19, 1864.

Cowan  estimate for the book:  $800 to $1200.

Price gotten, including Buyer's Premium, $840.

--Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea-- Part 4: Rest of Her Career

The Gem of the Sea spent the rest of her war career patrolling off Charlotte Harbor, Florida.  She joined her tender Rosalie in capturing the steamer  Emma off nearby Malco Inlet  11 June 1864.

She departed  Charlotte Harbor 2 February 1865 and arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on the 22nd.

She was decommissioned 24 February and was sold 6 May  1865 to  A.C. Purvis & Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Anyone who served the whole war on this ship had to be rich from all that prize money the ship had accumulated.

Quite An Unknown Ship.  Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea-- Part 3: A Thorn In the Side of Confederates

British schooner George was taken in the Sanibel River 29 July 1863 and sloop Richard in Peace Creek on 31 August.

A few days later , in an expedition up the Peace Creek 4-5 September, she destroyed buildings and four boats of the noted blockade runner  Johnson.  This would be the expedition I wrote about a couple days ago.

On 30 September she captured the British schooner Director and the sloop Matilda 21 October.  From 24-30 December 1863, the Gem of the Sea was part of an expedition to the Myacca River, transporting refugee Florida Rangers from Useppa Island to the mainland.

--Old B-R'er

USS Gem of the Sea-- Part 2: A Blockade Runner's Worst Nightmare

On July 1, 1862, she possession of four  rice-laden lighters up the Waccamaw River.

The ship returned to Boston Navy Yard 18 October 1862, for repairs and then was ordered to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron and arrived at Key West  18 December 1862.

CAPTURING MORE BLOCKADE RUNNERS:  A very busy bark

It didn't take long before the Gem of the Sea added to her already long list of captures.    Twelve days later, 30 December 1862, she captured the sloop Ann off Jupiter Inlet.  Then, a small unidentified  schooner 12 January 1863, a small boat  28 January and the schooner Charm in the Indian River Inlet  23 February.

In the same vicinity, she captured the sloop Peter and the British blockade  runners Maggie Fulton and Inez.

For A Ship With That Small of A Crew, Even If These Were Relatively Small Blockade-Runners, They Must Have Been Rolling in the Prize Money.  --Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea-- Part 1: Very Successful Capturing Blockade Runners

In the last post, i wrote about this ship launching an attack at Confederate positions on the Peace River in Florida.

From Wilipedia.

Was a bark acquired by the U.S. Navy.  Purchased in New York City 3 August 1861 and commissioned  15 October, under Acting Lt. Irvin B. Baxter.

Length 116 feet, beam 26.3 feet,  Complement 65, Armament six 32-pounder guns.  Propulsion by sail.

First appointed to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.  Ran the blockade runner Prince of Wales aground off Charleston  24 December.  Captured the blockade runner Fair Play 12 March 1862, schooner Dixie  15 April 1862 and schooner Mary Stewart 3 June.

Nine days later she took the schooner Seabrook off Alligator Creek.

Even With Just Sails.  --Old B-Runner

September 2-3, 1863: One of Those Small Operations You Don't Hear About, Peace Creek, Fla.

SEPTEMBER 2-3, 1863:  Boat expedition under Acting Ensign William H. Winslow and Acting Master's Mate Charles L. Edgcomb from the USS Gem of the Sea, Acting Lieutenant Baxter, reconnoitered Peace Creek, Florida.

The expedition was set in motion by Baxter because of "reliable information that there was a band of guerrillas, or regulators, as they style themselves, organizing in the vicinity of Peace Creek, with the intention of coming down the harbor [Charlotte Harbor] for the purpose of capturing the refugees on the islands in this vicinity and also the sloop Rosalie...."

The Union force destroyed buildings used used as a depot for blockade runners and a rendezvous for guerrillas as well as four small boats.

Baxter reported:  "I think this expedition will have a tendency to break up the blockade running and stop the regulators from coming down here to molest the refugees in this vicinity.

--Old B-Runner

A Fort Fisher Connection at the USNA Cemetery: Where Sen. McCain Will Be Buried This Week

We lost one of the great Americans and a hero in every aspect a few weeks ago, Senator John McCain.

He is to be buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland , this week.  This cemetery also has a Fort Fisher connection.

Lt. Samuel W. Preston, who was killed in action at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, is buried there.

In addition, William B. Cushing, he sank the CSS Albemarle, was a constant thorn in the side to the Confederates of the Wilmington area with his excursions and was in the Naval Brigade in its attack on Foirt Fisher along with Lt. Preston, but was not killed, is buried there.

--Old B-Runner

The Naval Forces At the Battle of Tuliffiny

In my other Civil War blog, Saw the Elephant, I am writing about the Battle of Tuliffiny in South Carolina in December 1864.  It was a part of Sherman's March to the Sea.  Of interest, it featured the cadets of Charleston's Citadel playing a big role in the battle.

From the Civil War Times 1864-12-6 Tuliffiny.

This was a Union amphibious assault of the Navy, Marines and Army.

Navy ships involved in it from the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron under Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren:

USS St. Louis  (the only ship of this name in the Civil War I could find was an ironclad on the Mississippi River)
USS Pawnee
USS Canandaigua

USS Flag
USS New Hampshire
USS Sonoma

USS Mingoe
USS Pontiac
USS Saratoga

USS James Adger
USS Cimarron
USS Donegal

Not all of these ships were at the actual battle.  This appears to be a list of ships of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron based at Hilton Head, S.C..

Commander George H. Preble commanded the Naval Support Brigade ashore.

--Old B-Runner