World War II Comes To Fort Fisher-- Part 2: September 1-2

Saturday, Sept. 1 it runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

**Visit with civilian, U.S. Army, Marines, Woman's Army Corps and British Royal Artillery re-enactors.

**  Children will paint and keep World War II toy soldiers while learning about military uniforms and equipment.

**  Watch weapon demonstrations.

**  Ride a 1942 Wyliss Jeep.Guided tours will be given.

--Old B-R'er

World War II Comes To Fort Fisher-- Part 1 Two-Day Event Sept. 1-2

From the August 16, 2018, Friends of Fort Fisher.

From 1941 to 1944, thousands of soldiers trained at Fort Fisher when it was an auxiliary post of Camp Davis at Holly Ridge, North Carolina.

Activities at Fort Fisher ended in 1944 and at that time there was an 80-seat cafeteria, 350 bed hospital, dental clinic and covered several hundred acres on Federal Point.  There was also a 2,500-foot airstrip and trained 43 different anti-aircraft battalions, coast artillery regiments, engineers, signal corps, ordnance and air warning units.

This coming Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2, there will be all sorts of activities at the fort.

So, Fort Fisher played a vital role in two wars.

--Old B-Runner

CSS Missouri, A Timeline-- Part 4: The Army Becoming a Major Problem

APRIL 18, 1863--  Lt. Carter reported to Mallory:  "I have experienced great difficulty in obtaining caulkers.  I sent to Port Hudson to procure them, and in addition, went myself, to Gen. Gardiner for men. Some of the men detailed by his order, were stopped by Gen. [Richard] Taylor at Alexandria while on their way to this place."

APRIL 21, 1863--  Carter wrote to Major J.L. Brent, chief of artillery and ordnance for General Richard Taylor, and requested guns salvaged from the captured ironclad USS Indianola be sent to Shreveport for use on the CSS Missouri.

He also reported to Mallory that the Army had taken possession of the T.W. Jones Foundry in Shreveport and that the Navy would now have to build its own foundry and machine shop id it intended to establish an ordnance works.

--Old B-Runner

CSS Missouri, A Timeline-- Part 3: Launching of the CSS Missouri

Continued from July 23, 2018.

APRIL 3,1863--  Carter reported that Captain Smoker had gone to Alexandria to find a steamer with suitable machinery for a second ironclad at Shreveport.

APRIL 14, 186300  The hull of the Caddo (CSS Missouri) was launched into the waters of the Red River at Shreveport.  Carter reported to Mallory:  "I have the honor to announce to you the launching of a gunboat at this place today at 2 o'clock p.m..  The cladding and placing of machinery will commence immediately and be pushed forward as rapidly as possible."

Unhappily for Carter, that same day, Commander Brent informed Carter that Secretary Mallory had ignored his suggestion to name the ship the Caddo and that it would be the CSS Missouri.

Definitely a Proud Day for Lt. Carter.  --Old B-Runner

August 28, 1863: CSS Alabama and CSS Tuscaloosa Meet Off Africa

AUGUST 28TH, 1863:

The CSS Alabama, Captain Semmes, and CSS Tuscaloosa, Lieutenant Low, joined briefly in the Bay of Angra Pequina on the African coast.  Semmes ordered the Tuscaloosa to proceed on a cruise to the coast of Brazil.

Sinkng and Capturing U.S. Ships.  --Old B-Runner

Torpedo Boat Torch Attacks USS New Ironsides-- Part 2

While alongside the Union ship, James Carlin was unable to start his engines the engines for some minutes, but the daring Confederate kept up a  cool conversation with the officer of the deck of the USS New Ironsides, who finally became alarmed but was unable to depress any of the cannons sufficiently to fire at the little craft.

At this moment, the torpedo boat's engines started, and Carlin quickly made his way back to Charleston, two shots from the New Ironsides falling 20 feet to either side of him.

General Beauregard, seeking to lift the blockade and the continuing bombardment at Forts Wagner and Sumter, wrote Carlin:  "I feel convinced that another trial under more favorable circumstances will surely meet with success, notwithstanding the known defects of the vessel."

--Old B-Runner

August 21, 1863: Confederate Torpedo Boat Torch Attempts To Sink the USS New Ironsides-- Part 1

AUGUST 21ST, 1863

The Confederate torpedo boat Torch Pilot James Carlin, made a gallant night attempt to sink the USS New Ironsides, Captain Stephen C. Rowan, in the channel near Morris Island.  The small steamer, which was constructed from the hulk of an unfinished gunboat at Charleston, sailed low in the water, was painted gray and burned anthracite coal (very little smoke) to avoid detection.

She took on much water and her engines were of dubious quality when she made her run at the blockader.

When but 40 yards away from the New Ironsides, Carlin ordered the engines cut and pointed his ship at its prey.  The boat failed to respond properly to her helm, and the New Ironsides swung about her anchor slowly with the tide.

The torpedo failed to make contact with the ship's hull.

--Old B-Runner

Cape Fear History Symposium-- Part 3: Speakers

Lectures:

JOHN R. WEAVER II

Nationally known expert on masonry fortifications (Until a few years ago I thought it was spelled masonary) and is author of the highly acclaimed "A legacy in Brick and Stone: Coastal defense Forts of the American Third System, 1816-1867."

LT.COL, QUENTIN SCHILLARE

History of the architecture and layout of U.S. Army forts from 1890 to 1917.

GLEN WILLIFORD

His interest in Coast Artillery led whim to co-found  the Coast defense Study Group, an organization specializing in American harbor defense.His most recent project is identification guides to American field and coast defense guns.

DALE FLOYD

He specializes in military architecture, military education and 19th century military history.

VINCENT MELOMO and TOM BEAMAN

They have worked on four archaeological schools in Brunswick County North Carolina,  N.C. State Historic Site Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson and Fort Caswell.

ROBERT KELLY

"Fort Monroe: How Documentation, Physical Investigation and Archival Research Informs Preservation Initiatives."

Sounds Like Quite a Lineup of Experts.  --Old B-R'er

Cape Fear History Symposium-- Part 2: "Focus On Forts"

Participants will hear from the nation's leading experts on U.S. Coast defense history through a series of lectures and seminars and witness a live artillery demonstration (always better than a dead one, I think.  Just like I enjoy live bands better than dead ones.) and tour the campus (Fort Caswell) with experts.  Fort Caswell is usually off limits to visitors as it is part of a religious group.

You will get up close to relics and ruins as you learn about them.

Speakers include John Weaver, Lt.Col. Quentin W. Schillare, Glen Williford, Dale Floyd as well as Vincent Melomo and Tom Beaman on the archaeology of Fort Caswell.

Someplace I'd Really Like To Be This Weekend (But Since This Is Our 45th Anniversary, I Think Not.) --Old B-Runner

So, You Wanted to Know About the Brick and Stone Forts in North Carolina Symposium-- Part 1

From the August 2018 Federal Point Preservation Society newsletter/

Getting up close and personal with history.  If you like this, you definitely want to be at Cape Fear History 2018 symposium.

Well, you can learn all about brick and stone fortifications August 24-25 at Fort Caswell, North Carolina.

It is a two-day trip into the past where guests will not only meet, eat and sleep at Fort Caswell, an old masonry fort guarding Wilmington, N.C., but will also hear from the nation's leading experts on U.S. coastal defense history through a series of of lectures and seminars as well as touring the historic fort.

Fort Caswell protected the west entrance to the Cape Fear River at Old Inlet.  Wilmington, N.C., is upriver.

--Old B-Runner

All Three USS Marmora Medal of Honor Recipients Had World War II Destroyers Named After Them

Of interest, not only did William J. Franks, Bartlett Laffey and James Stoddatd receive the nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor, but all three had destroyers named after them in World War II.

USS Franks (DD-554)

USS Laffey  (DD-459)  sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942

USS Laffey  (DD-724)

USS Stoddard  (DD-566)

It would have been interesting had the three destroyer ever operated together in an action.

--Old B-Runner

USS Marmora's James Stoddard-- Part 3: Promoted to Acting Master's Mate

The commander of the USS Marmora wrote that the gun the three men were using was  severely damaged in the fighting, "to the bravery of that guns crew may be attributed the change of fortune that day ... I would mot respectfully solicit in their behalf that you would confer a medal of honor on the following men, James Stoddard, Bartlett Laffey and William J. Franks."

James Stoddard received a shot through his neck in the battle but was slowly recovering.

On April 16, 1864, Stoddard was awarded the Medal of Honor, as were the other two sailors.  On may 8, 1864, James Stoddard was promoted to Acting Master's mate.  In accepting the promotion, Stoddard  documented that he was a citizen of Canada.

Stoddard continued to serve as an officer on the USS Marmora until late 1864 when he was transferred to the USS  Choctow, another steamer in the Mississip Squadron and served through 1865.  He was discharged from the Navy on May 20, 1865, near New Orleans, Louisiana,  (well beyond his one year's enlistment).

There are no records of him after the war so it is not known if he returned to Canada.

--Old B-R'er

USS Marmora's James Stoddard-- Part 2: Nobly Stood By Their Gun

Rear Admiral David Porter's report to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles about the Navy at the Battle of Yazoo City, March 5, 1864.

"I am proud to say the Navy was well represented by three sailors, who nobly stood by their guns through the whole action, fighting hand to hand to save the gun and the reputation of the Navy.

"The sailors are highly spoken of by the army officers for their gallant conduct.  Their names are James Stoddard, William J. Franks and Bartlett Laffey of the USS Marmora.    I would recommend them to you for your consideration."

This would be a recommendation for Medals of Honor.

--Old B-Runner

Friends of Fort Fisher Announce New Executive Director

Augut 5, 2019

The Friends of Fort Fisher have announced that they have selected a new executive director to replace Paul laird, who retired in June.

Mr. Laird was also the founding executive director of the organization.

Christine Divoky has big shoes to fill as Mr. Laird helped build one of the strongest and most supportive Friends organizations around.

Congratulations Ms. Divoky and Happy Retirement Mr. Laird.  --Old B-Runner

USS Marmora and the Medals of Honor-- Part 1: James Stoddard

From USS Stoddard org. site

On March 5, 1864, the USS Marmora was assigned to assist the 11th Illinois Infantry Regiment in defending Yazoo City, Mississippi, during an intense Confederate attack.  During the attack, James Stoddard and two other sailors were assigned to to dismount one of the ship's rifled howitzers, mount it on a field carriage and take it ashore to support the Illinois regiment.

Rear Admiral David D. Porter in a report, said, "At this time the fighting in the city was hand to hand.  The gun was placed in position in the street and did good service, helping very much toward winning the day..

"The crew at one time was driven from the gun, they did not have sufficient  support to hold it, but the soldiers seeing  the crew drive, rallied, charged the rebels and retook it, losing three men in the charge, and wounding James Stoddard of the Marmora...."

--Old B-R'er

USS Marmora-- Part 4: Three Sailors Receive Medals of Honor

Even though Union forces had already captured Yazoo City, Mississippi, Confederates attack in force in March 1864 causing the Marmora and other rams to come upriver to its rescue.

Three of her sailors were awarded Medals of Honor on 5 March.  They were Seamen William J. Franks,, Bartlett Laffey and  James Stoddard.

After that, the Marmora returned to Mound City and was placed in reserve.  It was decommissioned  7 July 1865. and sold in August.

--Old B-Runner

August 14, 1863: Union Keeping Up With Blockade Runners

AUGUST 14TH, 1863:  Timely intelligence reports played an important role in alerting Union blockaders.

This date, Rear Admiral Bailey advised Lt.Cmdr. McCauley in the USS Fort Henry:  "I have information that the steamers Alabama and Nita sailed from Havana on the 12th, with a view of running the blockade, probably at Mobile, but possibly between Tampa Bay and St. Marks [Florida]; also that the steamers Montgomery (formerly Habanero), the Isabel, the Fannie, the Warrior, and the Little Lily were nearly ready to sail, with like intent....

"The Isabel, which sailed on the 7th, has undoubtedly gone to either Bayport, the Waccasassa, or the Suwanee River.

"You will therefore keep a sharp lookout for any of these vessels...."

 Four of these seven ships were captured by the blockading forces within a month.

A Run-Run Here, A Run-Run There.  --Old B-R'er

USS Marmora-- Part 4: Guerrilla Action.and Looking for Sterling

The USS Marmora participated in the  attack on Fort Hindman, Arkansas, 4 to 11 January 1863, when it was captured.  Located  80 miles up the Arkansas River it became an important post for Union efforts to control supplies coming to Vicksburg from the west.

In February 1963, the Marmora joined four other ships and Army troops in a new Yazoo River expedition and departed Helena  27 March.  They captured the CSS Fairplay (later the USS Fairplay) and destroyed newly constructed Confederate batteries 20 miles up the Yazoo.

For the next several months the Marmora did patrol duty and supply runs.  She also dealt with guerrilla activity.  In one instance, the Marmora stopped at Gaines' Landing 13-15 June to burn houses.  She then steamed up the White and Little Red rivers on 8 August, looking for information on Confederate General Sterling Price's army.

--Old B-Runner

USS Marmora-- Part 3: The Sinking of the Cairo and Actions on the Yazoo River

On December 12, the Marmora led  the USS Signal, Cairo and Pittsburg up the Yazoo River until they spotted several torpedoes. The Cairo commenced firing at the right bank and sent a boat out to investigate the nearest torpedo.  As that boat towed the torpedo back, another one exploded under the Cairo, ripping her bottom out completely.

The Cairo rapidly sank as the other Union ships sent out boats to rescue the crew.

After that, the Marmora continued to remove torpedoes and assist the Army as they probed to find a weakness in the Vicksburg defenses.  On December 27, the Marmora and other ships actively engaged Confederate batteries at Drumgould's Bluff.

The next day, the Union ships aided in the landing of General William T. Sherman's troops in an attempted effort to capture Confederate guns on Chickasaw Bluff upstream from Vicksburg, but that attack failed.

--Old B-Runner

USS Marmora-- Part 2: Helping the Queen of the West and Encountering the Mines

Commissioned  on 21 October 1862, the next day the Marmora steamed downriver to join the Mississippi Squadron's actions against Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Her first action occurred when she attacked and destroyed several barges at Lake Providence, captured two skiffs and demolished a flatboat farther downstream.

On 29 November, the USS Marmora discovered heavy enemy fortifications 30 miles from the mouth of the Yazoo River but did not engage.  On 5 December, she tried to refloat the ram Queen of the West, aground at Paw Paw Island.

On 11 December, she ran up the Yazoo River for 20 miles and came across several mysterious objects floating in the water.  She fired at one of them and a tremendous explosion.  The ship was shaken as it was 50 feet away, but didn't fire at the others and let riflemen ashore finish the job.

Don't Mess With Strange Torpedoes You Don't Know.  --Old B-Runner

USS Marmora-- Part 1: Purchased By the Navy

Bartlett Laffey, Medal of Honor recipient and for whom the two World War II destroyers were named in the last two posts, was a member of the crew of the USS Marmora.

From Wikipedia.

Was built at Monongahela, Pennsylvania, in 1862 and purchased by the U.S. Navy at St, Louis, Missouri, on 17 September 1862.  Commissioned at Carondelet, Missouri,  21 October 1862.    Captain Robert Getty commanded.

Statistcs:

207 long tons
155 feet long tons
33.5 foot beam
4'6" draft-- Perfect for operating in the rivers.

Armament
eight 24-pdr. guns
two 12-pdr. guns
six 14-pdr. guns

--Old B-Runner

Bartlett Laffey, USN-- Part 2: Medal of Honor at Yazoo City

On March 5, 1864, the Confederates launched a heavy attack on the Union position at Yazoo City, Mississippi,  In the midst of the heated battle, Laffey and a gun crew of a 12-pounder howitzer from the USS Marmora landed and came under heavy fire.

The gun carriage was cut up with bullets and the rammer severed.  Despite this, Laffey and his shipmates stood bravely by the gun and helped turn back the Confederate attack.

Seaman Laffey and two  others from his ship,  Seaman James Stoddard and  William J. Franks, received Medals of Honor for their action that day.

He died in Massachusetts on March 22, 1901.

--Old B-R'er

Bartlett Laffey, USN, Medal of Honor Recipient-- Part 1: Born In Ireand

From Wikipedia.

Yesterday, in my Tattooed On Your Soul World War II blog, I wrote about a movie "Destroyer" that will be made about the USS Laffey, a ship that survived a huge kamikaze attack and was given the name "The Ship That Wouldn't Die."

The USS Laffey was named after Bartlett Laffey and a previous destroyer named Laffey that was sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942.

1841-March 22, 1901.

An Irish-born U.S. Navy sailor and recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Born in County Galway, Ireland, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy from Massachusetts on March 17, 1862 and assigned to the stern wheel gunboat USS Marmora.

--Old B-Runner

Whiting Appeals to Planters for Help on Defenses of Wilmington

From the July 23, 1863 Wilmington (NC) Journal.

"General WHITING, now commanding the department of North Carolina, appeals to the planters of the State to furnish him with labor.  Will this appeal be responded to or will it be slighted?

"Remember that this critical position of things on Morris Island is due mainly, if not wholly, to the neglect of planters of South Carolina to respond to the call and appeal of General BEAUREGARD."

The labor the planters were to send, of course, were slaves.  The Journal was blaming the Union forces being on Morris Island by Charleston, S.C., on the lack of cooperation from the planters.

--Old B-Runner

August 7, 1863: Maffitt Appointed Commander, CSN

AUGUST 7, 1863:

  Secretary Mallory sent Lieutenant John N. Maffitt his appointment as commander in the Confederate States Navy, effective 29 April 1863.  He congratulated the intrepid captain of the CSS Florida "and the officers and men under your command upon the brilliant success of your cruise, and I take occasion to express the entire confidence of the Department that all that the skill, courage, and coolness of a seaman can accomplish with the means at your command will be achieved."

The value of Maffitt's exploits in the CSS Florida, as well as those of Confederate captains in other commerce raiders was far greater than even the large number of merchant ships that were captured and destroyed, for their operations required the Union Navy to use many ships and men and expand huge sums of money in attempts to run them down that could otherwise have been diverted to the war effort along coastal waters and the rivers.

Not to mention chasing Northern-flagged shipping off the seas and a huge increase in insurance rates.

Congratulations John N. Maffitt.  --Old B-R'er

The Egypt Coal Mine in North Carolina

In today's post in my Saw the Elephant Civil War blog, I mentioned that before Sherman destroyed the Fayetteville Arsenal in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the Harpers Ferry machinery to make weapons was removed and supposedly hidden in the mines of the Egypt Coal Mine, near Sanford, N.C..

According to a N.C. historical marker near its site:

The Egypt Coal Mine operated at intervals from 1855 to 1928.  It supplied coal for Confederate blockade runners.

Another source said the coal produced here was also called Deep River Coal and was taken by rail to Fayetteville and then put on barge plying the Cape Fear River to Wilmington and then used in Confederate ships and blockade runners.

--Old B-Runner

News From Bermuda July 23, 1863: A Fourth of July Picnic

From the July 23, 1863, Wilmington Journal.

"From Bermuda-- We have received the Bermudian and Bermuda Mirror, both of the 8th Inst., and both published at Hamilton, Bermuda.  We find little or nothing in the way of news that has not been anticipated.

"We cut out some items however that may not be deficient in interest. or amusement.

"The first is the following account of a Fourth of July Pic Nic, given by gentlemen connected with the Confederate steamers Lady Davis (Cornubia) and Eugenie.  Some of our friends had a good time on their own."  Many toasts were given and taken.

The Bermuda newspaper no doubt came through the blockade.

--Old B-R'er

News in the Wilmington Journal, July 23, 1863

Besides news of local interest:

**  There were stories about action at Charleston, South Carolina.

**  A possible attack on Union forces at Morris Island by Charleston.

**  Lists of casualties in North Carolina regiments at the Battle of Gettysburg.

--Old B-Runner

Whiting Takes Command At Wilmington in 1863

From the July 23, 1863, Wilmington Journal.

It will be seen by General Order No. 1 in to-day's Journal that Major General WHITING assumes command of the Department of North Carolina, with his Head Quarters at Wilmington.

That would be W.H.C. Whiting.

--Old B-Runner

Union Forces Reported At Topsail Inlet, July 23, 1863

from the July 23, Wilmington (NC) Journal.

"A report reached town late night that the enemy was landing troops yesterday at Topsail Inlet.  We cannot find any confirmation on this, although it is said that three vessels, apparently containing troops, were of Topsail yesterday.

"They also be bound for Charleston or elsewhere."

Morris Island, by Charleston, South Carolina, was under attack at this time.  But with the Union forces' ability to strike anywhere along the coast due to naval superiority these reports were taken seriously.  There was always the chance that a sizable force would be landed in the Topsail Inlet area and then strike west the short distance to Wilmington and capture the city.

--Old B-Runner

Sydney Smith Lee, CSN-- Part 1: Robert E. Lee's Brother

While reading the latest Civil War Monitor Magazine about Robert E. Lee's decision to resign from the United States Army in 1861, I came across mention that he had written a letter to his brother, Sydney Smith Lee, then a member of the U.S. Navy.

I had never heard of him before, so did some research.

From Wikipedia.

 September 2, 1802 to July 22, 1869.

Called Smith Lee in his lifetime, was an American naval officer who served as a captain in the Confederate States Navy and had been in the U.S. Navy before that.

--Old B-Runner

Kinston's CSS Neuse Museum to Host a Scouts Night

From the June 14, 2018, WNCT, Channel 9, (Greenville, N.C.)  "Kinston's CSS Neuse museum to hold special night just for scouts" by Nicole Neuman.

On June 23 the museum will host "Scout Night at the Museum."  This will be open to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and is inspired by the popular movies "Night At the Museum."

Check-in will be 5:45 to 6:15 at the museum at North Queen Street then they will go over to the nearby CSS Neuse II replica on Heritage Street.  Dinner will be on the boat and then a tour will be given.

Then, the group will go back to the museum for activities.

Great idea To get Young Folks Interested In the Civil War.  --Old B-R'er

A New Clue to the Sinking of the Hunley-- Part 3

 Last year, researchers at Duke University proposed that the Hunley's crew might have been killed instantly by the blast from the submarine's spar-mounted torpedo.

But, experts say they are still not near determining the actual cause of the crews' deaths.  And, it is very possible that they will never find out what happened in the Hunley on that night.

In the meantime, they will continue removing more of the corrosion and underwater matter from all that time on the sea bottom.

What's more, scientists are finally beginning to get a handle on the inner workings of this thoroughly analog piece of military technology.

--Old B-Runner

The Last "Beat the Heat" Lecture at Fort Fisher: The Life of Henry Sterling Lebby, Blockade-Runner, Privateer

The last Fort Fisher "Beat the Heat" lecture will be held this Saturday at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, North Carolina.

This one is "A Post-War Confederate Sailor:  Finding H.S. Lebby, Blockade Runner and Privateer."

Sailors' Snug Harbor, New York, a retirement home for the purpose of caring for "worn out and decrepit sailors," opened its doors in 1833 on Staten Island to all seamen from all countries.  Henry Sterling (H.S.) Lebby noted on his application that he had worked on merchant vessels from the United States.

And yet, it is clear that his records from South Carolina, that he was not the man he claimed to be.

Who is Captain Lebby and why is he in New York living out his last years at Sailors' Snug Harbor?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know.  --Old B-Runner