Edward Simpson, USN-- Part 4: His Career to Retirement

Upon his return to the United States he was promoted to Rear Admiral and next became President of the Advisory Board, which position he gave up in 1885 for that of President of the Board of Inspection.

Simpson was regarded as an authority on all matters pertaining to ordnance and was the author of three books on the subject now used as teaxtbooks at the Naval Academy.

Throughout his career he acted  in an advisory capacity on issues relating to ordnance, and one of his last offices was that of member of advisory boards whch designed the cruisers Boston, Chicago and Atlanta.  

At the time of Simpsin's retirement,  he had served 46 years in the U.S. Navy.  In 1920, the Navy commissioned the destroyer USS Simpson in honor of his service to his country.

--Old B-Runner

RoadTrippin': Edward Simpson-- Part 2: Service Before the Civil War

From Find-A-Grave.

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral.

His first service was as a midshipman in 1840 aboard the sloop of war USS Decatur which was on patrol off the coast of Brazil.  His next assignment was to the frigate USS Congress in the Mediterranean and Brazil squadrons.

After a year on station, he returned to Annapolis.  In 1846, he was promoted to the rank of midshipman and next served on the USS Vixen during the Mexican War where he was present on the attacks on the forts of Alvarado under Commodore Conner, and at two attacks on Tabasco under Commodore Perry and at the capture of Tampico.  He was also involved with the siege of Vera Cruz.

After them Mexican War, he returned to the Brazil Squadron and a short time later returned to the Naval Academy and was assigned as  an instructor in naval gunnery and infantry tactics.

Prior to the Civil war, he was promoted to  Master, then Lieutenant.

--Old B-Runner

RoadTrippin': Edward Simpson, USN-- Part 3: The Civil War and Afterwards

In 1862, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and in 1863, was in command of the monitor USS Pasaic in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.  He took part in the attacks on Fort Wagner in July and August 1863 and Fort Sumter in August and September 1863.

He was promoted to Commander in 1865 and Captain in 1870.  The next two years were spent in Europe on special duty.  During 1877 he was detaled at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as Captain, and in 1878, having been promoted to Commodore,  he was commanding officer of the New London Naval Station.

In 1881, Simpson took over as Commanding Officer of the League Island Navy Yard and in 1884 was appointed resident of the Gun Foundry Board.  He left the states again and traveled to Europe for several months for advisory purposes.

--Old B-Runner

Still RoadTrippin' Thru History: Admiral Edward Simpson

This all started with an article about a watch given to Alban Stimers by the U.S. president for his work on the USS Monitor and other monitors that is still in possession of his great-granddaughter.  Alban Stimers is buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.  As part of RoadTrippin' I also take a look at others buried there.

Here is another one buried there and with a Civil War connection (even a monitor one).

EDWARD SIMPSON

BIRTH:  3 March 1824, New York City

DEATH:  1 December 1888  (aged 64),   Washington, D.C.

BURIAL:   Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York City.

--Old B-Runner

The Last Christmas at Fort Fisher (1864)-- Part 3: The Christmas Assault

On the afternoon of December 24, 1864, the United States fleet opened fire on Fort Fisher.  The heavy cannonade continued for the next two days.  The booming of the cannons could distintively be heard in Wilmington, about twenty miles away.

Despite the terrific bombardment, Colonel Lamb noted that the greatest penetration into his sand defenses was not more than five feet perpendicularly.

The fleet was all floating in a stately line of battle in three main lines and five ironclads anchored in close to the fort.  There were frigates (some of whom carried as many guns as could be found in the whole fort) Very late in the day on the 26th, the firing ceased and the fleet moved further out to sea.

No serious damage had been done to the fort and the men were in high spirits over the enemy's retreat.  In the evening, they sang "Lorena" and other songs and their stringed instruments played lively airs.

Fisher Lives to Fight Another Day.  --Old B-Runner

The Last Christmas at Fort Fisher (1864)-- Part 2

All drills, inspections aqnd even guard mountings were suspended during the cold and icy weather, especially when the wind blew from the direction of the ocean.  A man hardly dared poke his nose out of the bunkers or tents, except to go for wood and water and to draw his rations.

Every style of camp architecture was to be found within the fort, including hut, hovel, shack and shed plus the underground bunkers inside the high earthworks around the fort itself.

Some of the men tried to bring some of the hilarity and cheerfulness into camp, and then again, some did not.  There were mixed emotions all morning with thoughts of family and home and the downfall of the war effort throughout the South.

--Old B-Runner

The Last Christmas at Fort Fisher (1864)--Part 1: Cheerless

From the December 2022 Federal Point Historic Preservation Society Newsletter.

From a 1973 Wilmington-Starc News article by Bill Reaves.

It was certainly a cheerless Christmas Eve, 133 years ago (now 158 years ago in 2022) inside the high earthen walls of Fort Fisher.  The weather was frightful and the Confederacy was on its knees.

Each Confederate soldier attempted to get some kind of dinner in honor of the holiday, and some were fortunate enough to receive some meager food boxes from Wilmington and surrounding areas.

Some were very unfortunate indeed whose homes were great distances away and they had nothing whatever delectable which would impart some memory of Christmas in the past.

Great genius was necessary to create a holiday dinner out of a pound of fat pork, six crackers and a quart of dried apples.  It was not impossible to see a bit of culinary art burst forth with apple dumplings, with which some sorghum molasses were not to be despised.

--Old B-Runner

U.S. Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Thomas Taylor: Buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery

Still RoadTrippin' Through History.

From Find-A-Grave.

THOMAS TAYLOR

BIRTH:  1834   Bangor, Maine  

DEATH:  19 January 1884, New York City

BURIAL:  Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, 

***************************

Medal of Honor recipient born in Bangor, Maine and entered Union Navy from Maine. and attained rank of coxswain.

His citation reads:  "Served on board the USS Metacomet during the action against rebel forst and gunboats and with the rebel ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay 5 August 1864.

"Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as the enemy raked her decks, Taylor encouraged the men of the forward pivot gun when the officer in charge displayed cowardice,  doing honor to the occasion."

--Old B-Runner

U.S. Navy Medal of Honor Recipient John Gordon Morrison

Still RoadTrippin'.  These men were alswo buredin Cypress Ho;;s Cemetery along with Alban Stimers.

From Find-A-Grave.

BIRTH:  3 November 1842, Ireland

DEATH:  9 June 1897 (aged 54)  New York, New York

BURIAL:  Cypress Hills Cemetery, New York

Civil War Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient.

His citation reads:  "Served as a coxswain on board the USS  Caronolet,  Morrison was commended for  meritorious conduct in general and especially for his heroic conduct and his inspiring example to the crew in the engagemnt with the rebel ram Arkansas, Yazoo River, 15 July 1862.

"When the Carondolet was badly cut up, several of her crew killed, many wounded, and others almost suffocated from the effects of escapred steam, Morrison was leader when boarders were called on deck and the first to return to the guns and give the ram a broadside as she passed.

"His presence of mind in time of battle or trial is reported as always conspicuous and encouraging."

--Old B-Runner

Still RoadTrippin' Navy Medal of Honor Recipients: James Haines Horton

Still RoadTrippin' Through History.  I started with where Alban Stimers was buried, which is in the Cypress Hills Cemetery.  There are three U.S. Navy sailors from the war who won a Medal of Honor buried there.  This is one of them.

From Find-A-Grave.

JAMES HAINES HORTON

BIRTH:   1 July 1840,  England

DEATH:   15 April 1894  (aged 53)

BURIAL:   Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York

His true name was Joseph Horton.

While serving in the Union Navy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor when his ship was off Port Royal, South Carolina.

His citation reads:  "Served as gunner's mate on board the USS Montauk, 21 September 1864.  During the night of 21 September 1864, when fire was discovered in the magazine lightroom of the vessel, causing a panic and demoralizing the crew, Horton rushed into the cabin, obtained magazine keys, sprang into the lightroom and began passing out combustables, including a box of signals in which the fire originated."

This ship did not particiate in the attacks on Fort Fisher, but did enter the Cape Fear River after the fort's fall and participated in the Wilmington Campaign.

--Old B-Runner

Cypress Hills Cemetery-- Part 3: Broke MLB's Color Barrier, Famed Actress and Last Surviving War of 1812 Veteran

Jackie Robinson (1919-1972):  Broke MLB's Color Barrier.  The first black player to play.

Mae West  (1893-1980)  Well-known actress.

Hiram Cronk  (1800-1905)   The last-known survivor of the War of 1812.   An estimated 925,000 people paid their respects at his death.

*******************************

Some good quotes from Mae:

**  When I'm good, I'm very good.  But when I'm bad I'm better.

**  You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

**  Well behaved women  do not make history.

--Cooter

RoadTrippin' Thru History, Cypress Hills Cemetery (Brooklyn, NY)-- Part 2

From Find-A-Grave.

There were seven Civil War Medal of Honor recipients, including three in the Navy.  I'll be writing about the Navy ones in later posts.

Also one Union general and one Union Navy officer who eventually became an admiral  (I'll write about him later.)

Others of interest:

Eubie Blake:  Wrote "Charleston Rag" and "I'm Just Wild About Harry."

James "Gentleman Jack" Corbett:  Heavyweight Boxer Champion from 1892-1897.  In 1892, he beat  John L. Sullivan for the title.

Robert "Death to Flying Things" Ferguson:  Major League Baseball player in the 19th century.  Considered the first switch hitter and got that nickname for his ability to catch fly balls in an era where players did not wear gloves.

Who was the other baseball player and famous actress?

Maybe in the next post.

--Old B-Runner

RoadTrippin' Thru History: Cypress Hills Cemetery

I have been RoadTrippin' Thru History on Alban C. Stimers, a Chief Engineer in the Union Navy, especially in regards to the USS Monitor and many other monitors.  It all started with an article about his great-great granddaughter who had a watch given him by the president of the United States in thanks for his work on monitors.

Then, I wrote about him.  The other day I found that he was buried at Cypress Hill Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.  Whenever I find where a person is buried I go to that cemetery site and look to see if any other people of note or interest are buried there as well.  

This is all part of my RoadTrippin' Through History that I do in my blogs.  I start off with one story and keep looking to see where the story might take me.

In the next post I will write about some interesting people I found buried at Cypress Hill Cemetery.  Two of them was a well-known actress from the 1930s and a baseball player who broke the MLB Color Barrier.

--Old B-R'er

Alban Stimers' Grave

From Find-A-Grave.

BIRTH:  5 June 1827, Peterboro, New York   I also saw Smithfield, New York, as his birth place.

DEATH:  3 June 1876,  Staten Island, New York

BURIAL:  Cypress Hills Cemetery,   Brooklyn, New York

***************************

Superintendent of the Ericsson's Btry. Project 10/4/1861, in which he oversaw the construction of the USS Monitor.

Served as a "technical passenger" during the ship's trial run from New York to Hampton Roads, Virginia,  3/6-8/1862.

Operated the turret during the battle with the CSS Virginia 3/9/1862 during which, he was thrown to the floor when a shell hit the turret while he was leaning his hand against it.

--Old B-Runner

Alban C. Stimers, USN-- Part 3: The Unfortunate Casco-Class Monitors

Layer in 1863, he was placed in charge of an ambitious  project to construct  twenty light-draft monitors for use in shallow inland waters.  Unfortunately, the displacement calculations made for these ships  were badly done.   The resulting Casco-class turned out to be useless for their intended role and had to be extensively modified.

Stimers had inadvertantly demonstrated the  inherent difficulty of successfully shepherding complex technological endeavors, something that had bedeviled "project managers" from his time to ours.

After the Casco-class debacle, Stimers returned to the seagoing Navy.  At the beginning of 1865, he was Chief Engineer  of the steam frigate USS Wabash.  (As such, he likely was at Fort Fisher.)

He resigned from the Navy in August 1865 and became a consultant.

He died of smallpox on June 3, 1876, survived by a wife and  five children.

--Old B-Runner

Alban C. Simers, USN-- Part 2: Action with the Monitor and Passaic-Class Monitors

Though not a formal member of the USS Monitor's crew Stimers took part in her difficult trip from New York  to Hampton Roads, Virginia, and served on board during her historic battle with the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia on 9 March 1862, known as the Battle of Hampton Roads.

Much of the success  that happened in these two events was due to his inspired work, and Chief Engineer Stimers continued an intimate associate with the Navy's ironclad building program for much of the rest of the Civil War.

In 1862-1863, Stimers again worked with John Ericsson during the building of the next class of monitor-type ironclads, the Passaic-class.  

He accompanied these ships during their early operations against the Confederacy, most notably the 7 April bombardment of Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, and helped repair them after the action.

--Old B-Runner

Alban C. Stimers, USN-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

ALBAN CROCKER STIMERS

(June 5, 1827-June 3, 1876)

Was a Chief Engineer with the U.S. Navy.  He assisted with the design of the Navy's first ironclad, the USS Monitor, and later with the design of the  Passaic-class monitors.   His later career was marred by the scandal that enveloped the Casco-class monitors after they were found to be unseaworthy.

Stimers was born in New York in 1827.  He entered the U.S. Navy as a Third Assistant Engineer in January 1849 and became a Chief Engineer in July 1858.  He served in the steam frigate USS Roanoke during the early months of the Civil War and later in 1861 was assigned to work with John Ericsson on the construction of the ironclad USS Monitor.

--Old B-Runner

81st Anniversary of Pearl Harbor: Herbert Jacobson-- Part 2

Continued from my RoadDog's RoadLog blog.

Herbert Jacobson's remains weren't identified until late 2019 after years of efforts by both the family and military DNA experts.  A burial originally scheduled for spring 2020 was delayed because of the pandemic.

In the meantime, more of Jacobson's remains were identified so the family will have more of him to bury.

"I just wish my mother and especially my grandmother could be around to see this," McDonald said.  "My grandmother would still be sad that she lost her oldest boy, but at least there would be a means of closure."

McDonald's late mother, Norma, was Jacobson's sister.  Their parents, George and Mabel Jacobson, met during World War I.  Like Herbert Jacobson, known to the family as "Bert," George Jacobson was a sailor in the U.S. Navy.  Mabel worked as a barmaid when they met.

The two were married on December 7, 1919, and Mabel named her firstborn son after her beloved brother, Herbert, who died at a young age.

Continued in my Saw the Elephant:  Civil War blog.

Alban Crocker Stimers, USN: Naval Career

In the last two posts I wrote about Alban C. Stimers' great-great-granddaughter having a watch given to him by the president of the United States.  Here is his ranks and date attained in the U.S. Navy.

Listed as ALLEN C. STIMERS

Third Assistant Engineer::  11 January 1849

Second Assistant Engineer:  26 February 1851

First Assistant Engineer:  21 May 1853

Chief Engineer:  21 July 1858

Resigned:  3 August 1865

--Old B-Runner

Her Great-Great-Grandfather was USS Monitor Chief Engineer Alban Stimers-- Part 2

Carol Miller, of New Jersey,  moved with her parents to Morada after retirement.

"I remember playing at my grandparents' home when I was a kid and there was a pocket watch under a glass dome," Miller said.  "I never though much about it.  What kid cares about a pocket watch?  Later,  I learned that it was a gift given to my great-great grandfather by the president -- Grant, I think, because he helped win the Civil War."

The pocket watch went to an uncle's family because he was the oldest sibling.

At the event, Carol Miller had a photo of Alban Stimers, a booklet about the USS Monitor with a picture of  his name in a stone at the  Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia, and a model of the ship as well as a picture  of the battle between the Monitor and Virginia.

"He went in to the battle as 'an observer' " Miller said.  "But it got messy real quick and when a gunner was killed, he had to take over.  He knew every bolt  on that ship."

Hopefully she will donate the watch to the Mariners' Museum.

--Old B-Runner

Her Great-Great-Grandfather Was Chief Engineer on USS Monitor: Alban Stimers

From the November 29, 2022, Victoria  Advocate (Texas) "A walk down memory lane:  Morada residents showcase fascinating personal memorabilia" by Tamara Diaz.

Morada resident Carol Miller is shown in a photograph holding a pamphlet about the USS Monitor on which her great-great-grandfather, Alban Stimers, was chief engineer.

It was a "Cheesebox on a Raft" that helped the Union win the Civil War, claiming a Union victory when things were looking bleak.  (Well, it wasn't so much of a victory as a draw.)

The  USS Monitor was the first ironclad ship successfully deployed by the Union Navy and defeated the Confederate casemate ironclad CSS Virginia.  (Well, it was more of a draw, but the Monitor did stop the Virginia from destroying the rest of the Union fleet in Hampton Roads.)

Carol Miller shared her family's connection to the famous ship at a a meeting of Walk Down History program put on by the residents at the Morada Victoria East Independent Living Community. that showcased items from their family history.

--Old B-Runner

CAM's 60th Anniversary & First USCT Park-- Part 2: Naming the Battle

Said Chris Fonvielle after his research and excavating of the grounds of the Cameron Art Museum (CAM) in Wilmington, N.C., "It convinced me that a firefight had taken place there, but I found no documentary evidence to support the archaeological record."

He began focusing his studies on the battle, piecing together information and eventually giving it a new name.

"Scarce Confederate correspondence from the battleground was postmarked Cross-Roads and Forks Road, as an intersection of the Federal Point Road.  A byroad  that ran towards the Cape Fear River stood about where you enter the Cameron Art Museum's parking lot today," he explained.  "I thought the Battle of Forks Road had a nicer ring to it."

Fonvielle wrote about his discoveries in 2007's "Last Stand at Wilmington:  The Battle of Forks Road."

His research has caused CAM staff for years to embrace the story.  They have hosted living history days with reenactors, but this next step, starting a park devotedb to the United States Colored Troops (USCT) takes the story even further.

--Old B-Runner