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