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