Another of Charles Mallory's Brothers Was Brigadier General in U.S. Army: John Skinner Mallory

From Find-A-Grave.

JOHN SKINNER MALLORY

BORN: 1 November 1857, Hampton City, Virginia

DIED:  2 February 1932, aged 74, Lexington, Virginia

BURIED:  Saint Johns  Church Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia. 

Brigadier  General, U.S. Army.

--Old Secesh

Another Mallory Dies at Sea

I have already written about Charles K. Mallory dying in the boiler explosion of the CSS Chattahoochee and of his brother Stephenson Blount Mallory dying of yellow fever while in the service of the U.S. Navy in 1878.

There was yet another brother, Francis Mallory, born April 22, 1850, who attended William and Mary College, and, being of a roving disposition went to sea and as a mate on the brig Chattanooga, of Baltimore, lost his life in a hurricane bear St. Thomas, West Indies, April 4th, 1874, while attempting to get from the shore to his ship.

He died unmarried.

--Old B-Runner

Charles K. Mallory, CSN-- Part 2: His death on the CSS Chatahoochee

Captain Parker of the Confederate States Navy also had this to say about young midshipman Mallory:  "After serving with me in three engagements, he was ordered to the gunboat Chattahoochee, at Columbus, Georgia, and lost his life by the explosion of her boiler.

"He was from Hampton and was an honor to his birthplace.  Had he lived and had the opportunity he would have become a great naval officer."

After the explosion, young Mallory, although badly  injured, swam ashore, but died after in the Ladies' Hospital, Columbus, June 2d, 1863, at age of eighteen and a half.  

He was, of course, unmarried.

--Old B-R'er

Charles K. Mallory, CSN: Received Surrender of the USS Congress at Battle of Hampton Roads

From the Virginia Historical Magazine "Funeral of Charles K. Mallory"  the father of Charles K. Mallory who died in the boiler explosion of the CSS Chattahoochee.

Born November 21, 1844.  At the outbreak of the Civil War he was appointed a midshipman in the Confederate States Navy and served as such until his death.

He participated  in the naval engagements at Hampton Roads, serving on the  gunboat  CSS Beaufort.  When the USS Congress hoisted the white flag of surrender, he, with Midshipman Foreman and a boat crew, were sent to take charge of her.

He brought back to the Beaufort the sword of the commander of the Congress, Lieutenant Joseph B. Smith, who had been killed.  This sword was afterwards sent through the lines by Commodore Tattnall, with Mallory's consent to Admiral Smith, the father of Lt. Richard Smith.

--Old B-Runner

The Mallory Family Had Ties to the Sea: Charles' Brother Stephen

A letter to the William and Mary College Quarterly from John S. Mallory, brother of Charles K. Mallory, written in 1925.

Stephen Blount Mallory was born at Hampton, Virginia, June 15, 1856.  In 1872, as a result of a competitive examination he was appointed a Cadet Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy after taking a short preparatory course at William and Mary College.

Upon graduation in 1876 from the Academy, he was appointed midshipman in the U.S. Navy and served as such until his untimely death of yellow fever in 1878, contracted while his ship, the USS Plymouth, lay in the harbor of Frederiksted, St. Croix, (Santa Cruz), Danish West Indies, now the Virgin Islands of the United States.

He was buried in the cemetery of St. Paul's Church (Anglican), Frederiksted, where his remains still are.  He had the reputation of being a very efficient and popular young officer.  He died unmarried.

--Old B-Runner

Charles K. Mallory on the CSS Chattahoochee

From "Navy Gray:  Engineering in the Confederate Navy on the Chattahoochee River and Apalachicola Rivers" by Maxine T. Turner.

A picture of him is on page 89 with caption:

"Midshipman Charles King Mallory.  "Young Mallory" was a great favorite among the Chattahoochee's officers and men.  The first to board the USS Congress after the CSS Virginia had defeated her, he was transferred with Catesby ap  R. Jones to the CSS Chattahoochee.

The account of his death following the boiler explosion on May 27, 1863, combined bravery and pathos.

His family had his remains sent home to Virginia and interred at St. John's, Hampton.

--Old B-R'er

Some More on Charles K. Mallory

From Register of Officers in the Confederate States Navy 1861-1865.

CHARLES K. MALLORY,  jr.

Born in Virginia.  Appointed from Virginia.

Acting midshipman, June 12, 1861.  Died June 1, 1863,  from the effect of a boiler explosion.  (CSS Chattahoochee)

Served on the C.S.R.S. United States, 1861.  CSS Beaufort, 1861-1862; participated in the Battle of Roanoke Island, February 7-8, 1862, and the Battle of Hampton Roads, Va., March 8-9, 1862; commended for gallant conduct.  (He was still a member of the crew of the CSS Beaufort at this battle.)

CSS Chattahoochee 1862-1863.

--Old B-R'er

Some More on Charles K. Mallory: A Benjamin Butler Connection?

Midshipman Charles Mallory was the son and namesake of Charles K. Mallory, a lawyer, plantation owner and militia colonel of Hampton, Virginia.  In May 1861, three of the senior Mallory slaves, Frank Baker, Sheppard Mallory and James Townsend, escaped to Union lines.

Their return was demanded of the Union commander in the area, General Benjamin Butler, under the terms of the Fugitive Slave Act.

Butler refused stating that since Virginia had claimed independence the Act did not apply.  And, because Virginia was at war with the United States, the runaway slaves, legally being "chattel property" were now "contraband of war."

So, that's where all that comes from.

--Old B-R'er

If You Want to Visit Fort Fisher, Better Do It Before April 16

From the April 9, 2024, NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

In the interest of safety and security, the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced today that the Fort Fisher Historic Site will temporarily close to the public beginning Tuesday, April 16 as workers relocate exhibits, artifacts and staff offices to the site' new 20,000 square foot visitors center.

In addition, work will begin on the restoration of parts of the fort  which were demolished when the fort was used as an anti-aircraft training facility during World War II

This temporary closure refers to all parts of the fort west of US-421, including the museum, restrooms, tour trails around the mounds and parking lots.

The sites Battle Acre, east of US-421, will remain open.

Plans called for a phased reopening during the summer.

But, if you want to see the fort, you'd better get out there before this coming Tuesday.

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Midshipman Scalded to Death When Chattahoochee's Boiler Exploded: Charles K. Mallory

From the August 19, 2014, Civil War Talk Forum by Ernie Mac.

When I first saw the last name, I thought perhaps he might have been related to Confederate Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory but he wasn't.

Midshipman Charles K. Mallory was one of the casualties  of the CSS Chattahoochee, severely scalded in the explosion on May 27, 1863.  He died several days later (June 1) of his injuries.

Mallory was a native of Virginia who enlisted as a midshipman at the beginning of the war, serving aboard the CSS Virginia during the Battle of Hampton Roads.  He was one of two midshipman who boarded the USS Congress after that vessel struck her colors during the battle.

--Old B-Runner

Some More on the CSS Chattahoochee-- Part 3: In Fairly Good Shape

The wreck was relocated  using a proton precession magnetometer and wreck structure exposed on the bottom  surface was mapped.  A test excavation was carried out near the south end of the wreckage to facilitate assessing the nature and scope of the archaeological record and generate  data concerning the remaining wreck structure.

(Now, that was some last sentence.  Took me forever to type.)

Data recovered during the investigation contributed to a better understanding of the wreck and its scientific and educational value.

On the basis of this reconnaissance,  it is apparent that the remains of the CSS Chattahoochee contain a variety of artifacts associated with the use of the ship.  In addition, the remaining wreck structure survives in good condition below the turn of the bilge and could be raised, conserved, and displayed in conjunction with the stern of the warship presently on exhibit at the Confederate Naval Museum in Columbus.

--Old B-Runner

Some More on the CSS Chattahoochee-- Part 2: Half Recovered

From 1990 report "CSS Chattahoochee:  An Investigation  of the Remains of a Confederate Gunboat" by Gordon P. Watts and Wes Hall.

In the Spring of 1865, the Confederate gunboat CSS Chattahoochee  was scuttled and burned in the Chattahoochee River, just south of Columbus, Georgia.  During the Civil War Centennial the vessel's remains were relocated and the stern of the warship salvaged and preserved at the James W. Woodruff, Jr., Confederate Naval Museum  in Columbus.

In 1984, East Carolina University and the Naval Museum cosponsored an investigation designed to relocate the Chattahoochee, determine the amount of surviving hull structure, and assess the potential for additional research, recovery and exhibition.

--Old B-R'er

Some More on the CSS Chattahooche

From the June 6, 2023, Georgia Public Radio "Are sunken ships from the Civil War still lying in the Chattahoochee?  What a historian says"  by Kelby Hutchinson.

During the Battle of Columbus (Georgia) on April 16, 1865 (Lee had surrendered in Virginia on April 9), two Confederate warships were destroyed.  One was the ironclad CSS Jackson (also called the CSS Muscogee).  The other was the CSS Chattahoochee.

Part of the CSS Chattahoochee still remains at the bottom of its namesake river.  The bow end is still somewhere down below.  The National Civil War Naval Museum is in possession of the stern portion.  The ship was set on fire by its own crew to prevent it falling into enemy hands.

In 1984, East Carolina University and the Confederate Naval Museum (as the National Civil War Naval Museum was then known as) set out to locate the remains of the Chattahoochee, determine its condition and figure out its potential for research, recovery and exhibition.

That report in next post.

The CSS Chattahoochee, Certainly a Hard-Luck Ship.  --Old B-R'er

Confederate Navy Yard Saffold, Georgia-- Part 2

The 130-foot long CSS Chattahoochee was intended to be both a river boat and an ocean-going one.  It was Confederate hopes to sail it down the river and reopen the port of Apalachicola, Florida,  on the Gulf of Mexico.

However, the Chattahoochee turned out to be an unlucky ship.  One mishap after another befell her.

By far the worst took place on May 27, 1863, when her boilers exploded through crew error and inexperience.  Several were killed and others badly scalded.  This knocked the ship out of the rest of the war.

One of the guns on the ship was a IX-inch Dahlgren pivot gun.  The gun was lost and never recovered, even after the ship's hull was recovered near Fort Benning in 1963.

The Chattahoochee's hull is a part of a part of the Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus.  A replica was made of the IX-inch Dahlgren and has been loaned to the Early County Museum for display.

--Old B-R'er

The Confederate Navy Yard: Saffold, Georgia

From the January 2, 2024, Early County (Georgia) News  "The History of the Confederate Naval Yard" by Leah Taylor.

Confederate naval officers and John H. Warner selected this site because of its remote location and abundance of timber around it.  Another reason was that the landowner, David S. Johnson, was an avid Confederate.  He was chosen to run the shipyard.  This proved to be a poor choice because despite all the timber and a large work force of slaves, he had no experience with shipbuilding at all.

The deadline for building his warship, 120 days, came and went with no ship.  He gave in and began placing ads in local papers for experienced shipbuilders.  Eventually the ship was built and delivered ten months late, December 8, 1862.

That ship was the CSS Chattahoochee, taking its name from the river on which it was built.

--Old B-Runner

Others Buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia-- Part 3

Continuing with Road Tripping Through History.

Other Medals of Honor:

2 from Indian Wars

1 from Spanish-American War

2 from the Boxer Rebellion

4 from Civil War (soldiers)

1 from Korea (1871)

2 from peacetime events (1872) and (1903)

Also, three Civil War Union generals and several Union officers.

--Old B-R'er

Some More Naval Medal of Honor Recipients Buried in Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia-- Part 2

There sure are a lot of Navy Medal of Honor recipients buried at this cemetery.  I wonder if it has anything to do with the Philadelphia Navy Yard being there.

John Lafferty, USS Wyalusing, versus CSS Albemarle.  Also received a second medal of Honor in Peru.

Nicholas Lear, USS New Ironsides, Fort Fisher

Thomas G. Lyons, USS Pensacola, Battle of New Orleans

James Martin II, USMC, USS Richmond, Battle of Mobile Bay

Matthew McClelland, USS Richmond, Battle of Port Hudson

John Smith, USS Richmond, Battle of Mobile Bay

William Thompson, USS Mohican, Battle of Port Royal

Alexander Truett, USS Richmond, Battle of Mobile Bay

John Williams, USS Pawnee, Mathias Point, Va.

William Williams, USS Lehigh, Charleston, S.C.

Sure a lot of Navy, Marine Medals of Honor buried in this cemetery.

--Ol B-R'er

Remembering 'Civil War Times' and 'America's Civil War'

I must admit that both magazines, which I just found out ceased publication in February, had started giving a lot more attention to the naval aspect of the war, which is my favorite aspect.  Too often before they overlooked the Navy.  

However, this is very true of Civil War people in general.  It is all the land warfare with water parts taking a distinct hind part.

I sure hope someone buys these two magazines or the other seven history ones which were offered by the same company.

Sad to See You Go.  --Old B-Runner

Road Tripping Through History: Henry Schutes Was Buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia-- Part 1

I was wondering if there were any other persons of interest buried at this cemetery along with Henry Schutes.  According to Find a Grave, there are some 200,000 people buried in the cemetery, but it has fallen upon hard times.

There are quite a few Medal of Honor recipients buried there.

I will list the other Navy recipients:

Charles Baker, USS Metacomet, Battle of Mobile Bay.

James Healey, USS Kearsarge vs. CSS Alabama.

Robert Jordan, USS Mount Washington, Nansemond River, Va.

--B-Runner

How Many Medals of Honor Did Henry Schutes Receive?

I have been doing more research on this question.  I even looked up lists of double Medal of Honor winners and Henry Schutes was not on the list (although there are 19 who have received double Medals of Honor).

I am of the belief that he bravely fought at the Battle of New Orleans but it was his actions on board the USS Wissahickon against Fort McAllister which caused him to get the Medal of Honor.

--Old B-Runner

Was It One or Two Medals of Honor for Henry Schutes?

The more I read about him, the more I'm not sure if he received one or two Medals of Honor.  I am sure he got one for the action against Fort McAllister in 1863.  But not sure about New Orleans.

--Old B-R'er

Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Schutes-- Part 4: Not One, But Two Medals of Honor

Henry Schutes received Medals of Honor for both actions.  This was a new honor created in1861.  t the time of the actions, Schutes was 58, making him the oldest Medal of Honor winner.

It is not clear when he left the Navy, but according to the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, a register of employees at the USNA showed him employed there as a civilian watchman in 1865.  At some point in the mid-1870s, he moved to Philadelphia to the Naval Asylum, which was a home and hospital for retired seamen.

He broke a leg in 1889, but "refused to keep his splint in place and grew increasingly belligerent about eating."  He died on September 10, 1889 and was buried at Mount Moriah.

The cemetery attributes his death to "general failure of willpower."

--Old B-R'er

Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Schutes-- Part 3: For Action at Fort McAllister

Nearly a year later, on February27, 1863, Henry Schutes again found himself in the midst of a battle, this time on the Big Ogeechee River just south of Savannah, Georgia.  The USS Wissahickon was in this action as well.  This attack ended in the destruction of the blockade runner Rattlesnake which was under protection of the guns of Fort McAllister.

A shot from the fort penetrated the Wissahickon's hull below the waterline and entered the ship's powder magazine where the ammunition and gunpowder were kept.  Shutes' Medal of Honor citation said that his prompt action saved the ship.

An 1890 Philadelphia Inquirer article said that Schutes had shut himself inside the magazine to drown it in water to keep the dangerous items from exploding, even though this might mean he would die.

--Old B-Runner

Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Schutes-- Part 2: Battle of New Orleans

While performing his duties aboard the USS Wissahickon during the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip in April 1862, some Union ships managed to break through a barrier in the Mississippi River on April 23.  The Wissahickon was one of them.  Fire rafts were sent down to destroy them.

Schutes received his Medal of Honor here.  His citation reads: "his seamanlike qualities as gunner's mate were outstanding," and that he performed his duties with skill and courage.

The ships made it past the Confederate defenses and New Orleans surrendered.

But this wasn't Schutes' only Medal of Honor.  He received a second one nearly a year later.

--Old B-R'er

Another Union Navy Medal of Honor: Captain of the Forecastle Henry Schutes-- Part 1

From the Feb. 12, 2024 Aerotech News by Katie Lang.

Not much is known of Henry Schutes before his enlistment in the U.S. Navy other than he was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1804.

According to the Mount Moriah Cemetery, where he's buried,  he was an experienced sailor before the war began.  The earliest enlistment papers found for him was from 1858 which said he had 22 years of prior mariner experience.  That meant that Schutes joined the Navy  around age 54.

He initially served as a gunner's mate on the USS Don before transferring to the USS Wissahickon.  By April 1862, he had become the captain of the forecastle of that ship.  That was the forward upper deck where sailors slept.

That rank was similar to a current day petty officer.

--Old B-Runner

Marines at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 3: Six Received Medals of Honor

The book said that another 180 Marines aided the Army in their attack on the land face of the fort.

A number of Marines distinguished themselves during the attack.  Six received a Medal of Honor in the action.

Orderly Sergeant Isaac N. Fry and Sgt. Richard Binder received the honor for the manner in which they commanded their ship's guns.  Corporal Andrew J. Tomlin, of the USS Wabash, shouldered a wounded comrade and carried him to safety during the land attack.

Corporal John Rannahan and Pfcs John Shivers from the USS Minnesota, advanced further than any other Marines with their detachment.  LtCdr. James H. Parker, commanding the shore party from that ship remarked:  "Thompson got nearer the fort than any one from our ship by a few yards.  They [all] deserve promotion and medals."

The Marine battalion sustained 15 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and one officer and 45 men wounded during the action.

--Old B-Runner

Marines at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 2: Digging Entrenchments with 'Our Noses and Toes'

Marine Corporal Henry B. Hallowell from the USS Juanita was part of the Naval Brigade and wrote:  "The guns from the fort poured grape and canister into us, cutting us to pieces.  A few managed to crawl to the base of the fort, others tried to retreat, but this was made impossible by a barrage being thrown over our heads from the fort to prevent retreating.

"We were in a pretty fix, with the fort raking our ranks from the front and shells exploding at our rear.  History states that we entrenched ourselves.  The only entrenching we did was hug the ground and dig with our noses and toes."

After prolonged exposure to withering musketry and cannon fire, the sailors carrying only "cutlasses, well sharpened, and ... revolvers" (as per Ad. Porter's orders) broke and ran, carrying the Marines with them.

--Old B-R'er

Marines at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher

From American Civil War Marines 1861-1865 by Ron Field.

This was the engagement where Sgt. Richard Binder received his Medal of Honor although he remained on the USS Ticonderoga and was not in the Naval Column.

The Naval Brigade, which attacked Fort Fisher along the beach while Army regiments  moved along the river side in their simultaneous attack of the fort.  It was under command of  Cmdr. Kidder R. Breese and consisted of 1600 sailors and 400 Marines.

Deployed as sharpshooters during the advance of the Naval Brigade, the Marines, under Captain Lucian L. Dawson, the senior officer of the squadron, were caught up in a generally disorganized assault in which the Army attack was delayed.  Hopelessly pinned down at the base of the defenses of the fort, a few Marines managed to to pass through a breech blown in the 9-foot palisades but were forced to fall back with heavy casualties.

--Old B-Runner

Some More on the New Fort Fisher Visitors Center

From February 21, 2024, BNN Breaking  "Reviving history:  Fort Fisher's new visitor center aims to redefine historical exploration in Kure Beach" by Sakchi Khandelwal.

It's been a journey of persistence and vision, starting in 2009, to bring the new visitor center to Fort Fisher from conception to construction.  Now, with the project underway and scheduled to be completed by Labor Day things are moving along swiftly.

Jim Steele, the Fort Fisher Historic Site Manager, says:  "The new center is not just a building; it's a gateway for visitors to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of our history."

The budget for the whole undertaking is $25 million.  Throughout the whole process, feedback from the public has been a cornerstone of it.

--Old B-R'er

The New Fort Fisher Visitors Center Progressing

From February 21, 2024, WWAY News, Wilmington, N.C. "Fort Fisher Visitor Center Undergoing Finishing Touches" by Emily Andrews.

I've been watching this with more than a little interest as this old Confederate fort is my absolute favorite Civil War place.  Because of it I ended up being a teacher so I could work with history.

The so-far 18-month project began in October 2022 and has a price tag of $25 million.

Right now, plans are for having a ribbon-cutting ceremony this coming Labor Day.

--Old B-Runner

RoadTrippin' Through Laurel Hill Cemetery: More Naval Officers and Marines

GARRETT J. PENDERGRAST  (1802-1862)--  Naval officer War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.

GEORGE C. REAAD  (1788-1862)--  Naval officer

WILLIAM RONCKENDORFF  (1812-1891)--  Naval officer in Mexican and Civil War.

PINKERTON R. VAUGHAN, USMC (1841-1866)--  Medal of Honor recipient on USS Mississippi during action at Port Hudson.

JACOB ZEILIN  (1806-1880)--  USMC Commandant and first Marine general.

--Old B-R'er

Road Trippin' Laurel Hill Cemetery-- Part 3: Navy Officers

SYLVANUS WILLIAM GOGON  (1809-1879)--  US Navy officer, served Mexican and Civil War.  At Fort Fisher.

ELIE A. F. LA VALLETTE  (1790-1862)--  U.S. Navy officer.  Served War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.

EDWARD Y. McCAULEY  (1827-1894)  U.S. navy officer.

GEORGE W. MELVILLE  (1841-1912)--  U. S. navy officer in Civil War.

SAMUEL MERCER  (1799-1862)  U.S. Navy officer.  Mexican War and Civil War.

--Old B-R'er

MCCWRT Discussion Set for February 24: Battle of the Ironclads at Hampton Roads

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table will be having its monthly discussion group on Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Panera Bread Co. store in Crystal Lake, Illinois.  This month the topic will be "The Battle of the Ironclads at Hampton Roads.

It will be in person and on Zoom if we can get it up.

This battle between the CSS Virginia and USS Monitor changed naval warfare for ever. 

Everyone invited (even non-members).  All you need is an interest in history and especially the Civil War.  And we even stay on topic at times.

Panera Bread is located on US-14 (Northwest Highway) by Main Street.

We meet from 10 am to 11:30.

Come on Down.  --Old B-Runner

Road Trippin' to Laurel Hill Cemetery-- Part 2: Civil War

JOHN A. DAHLGREN  (1809-1870)--  Admiral and commander of South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.  Invented the Dahlgren gun.

PERCIVAL DRAYTON  (1812-1865)--  Union Navy officer.

CHARLES ELLETT JR.  (1810-1862)--  U.S. engineer who designed the Wheeling Suspension Bridge and during the Civil War , as an Army colonel, created and commanded the United States Ram Fleet in the Mississippi River.

CHARLES RIVERS ELLETT  (1843-1863)--  Charles Ellett Jr's son and colonel in Union Army who commanded ships in the Ram Fleet.

--Old B-Runner

Road Trippin' to Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia

From Wikipedia.

While researching the West Laurel Hill Cemetery, I found out it was a part of the larger Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.  I figured I might as well look there for notables while Road Trippin'.

There were some, including naval officers who served during the War of 1812 which included the commander of the USS Constitution in its famed battle with the HMS Guerriere, Isaac Hull.  And, there were several other naval officers from the War of 1812, Mexican and Civil Wars.  

I'll write about the War of 1812 navy officers in my Not So Forgotten:  War of 1812 blog.

Also, Union General George Gordon Meade, the victor at the Battle of Gettysburg is buried there.

Any naval officer connected to the Civil War will be listed in this blog.

--Old B-R'er

Other Medal of Honor Recipients Buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery

From Wikipedia.

Continuing with my Road Tripping Through History.

There are four other Union veterans buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery  (Name, life & where he earned his Medal of Honor):

CHARLES M. BETTS (1838-1905)  Greensboro, N.C. April 1865.  (This would have made him one of the last to receive the Medal during the war.)

WALLACE W.JOHNSON  (1842-1911)  2nd Day Battle of Gettysburg

GEORGE HENRY STOCKTON  (1833-1912)  Vicksburg

ELWOOD N. WILLIAMS  (1842-1921)  Shiloh

--Old B-Runner

Road Trippin' Through History; About the Cemetery Where Sgt. Binder Was Buried

One thing I do when I di these blogs is take a road trip through history from time to time.  That is when I take a post and see where it takes me.  In this case, I'll be writing about the USS Ticonderoga, on which the good sergeant was serving and also do some research also on the cemetery where he was buried, West Laurel Hill,  and see if there is anyone buried there of interest.

 There is quite a long article in Wikipedia about this cemetery in Bela Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, west of Philadelphia.  It was established in 1869 and has 200 acres.  It is affiliated with the nearby Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Quite a few notable people and there is a long list of them.  I have heard of some of them and others are of definite interest.

There are several other Union soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Honor.

I will cover them in the next post.

--Old B-Runner

The Text of Sgt. Binder's Medal of Honor

From the Naval History and Heritage Command.

"BINDER, RICHARD, Sergeant USMC.  Born 1840, Philadelphia, Pa.  Accredited to Pennsylvania.

On board the USS Ticonderoga during the attacks on Fort Fisher, 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13 to 15 January 1865.  Despite heavy return fire by the enemy,  and the explosion of the  100-pounder Parrott rifle which killed8 men and wounded 12 more, Sergeant Binder, as Captain of a gun, performed his duties with skill and courage during the two days of battle.

As his ship again took position on the 13th, he remained steadfast as the Ticonderoga maintained a well-placed fire upon the batteries on shore, and thereafter, as she materially lessened the power of the guns on the mound which had been turned upon our assaulting columns.

During the action,  the flag was planted on one of the strongest fortifications possessed by the rebels."

--Old B-Runner

USMC Medal of Honor at Fort Fisher: Sgt. Richard Binder-- Part 2

After the war, Richard Binder was honorably discharged and received his Medal of Honor  on June 22, 1865, although the ceremony for it wasn't held until the 1890s.  Nine other men from the USS Ticonderoga received Medals of Honor at Fort Fisher.

In 1868 he married a woman named Fredericka who had immigrated from the same German city years prior.  They had a daughter and son.

He resumed cutting hair.  By 1890 he had four shops across Philadelphia and even expanded into tonics and toupees.  He was quite a cane collector and had 600 of them, including one that had been used by President Abraham Lincoln.

He died February 26, 1912, from heart disease and is buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia.

For the Hairy Old.  --Old B-R'er

USMC Medal of Honor at Fort Fisher: Sgt. Richard Binder-- Part 1

From January 15, 2024, Medal of Honor Monday.

Sergeant Binder was born July 26, 1839, in Germany and moved to New York at age 15 before settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He worked as a barber and received his U.S. citizenship in 1860.  Just before his 22nd birthday, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 11, 1861.

He first served on a ship that sank at the Battle of Port Royal, South Carolina, on November 1861.   (The only Union ship I could find that sank at the battle was the transport Governor.)

From there he moved on to serve on other ships and participated in actions.  In 1864, he was transferred to the USS Ticonderoga.

During the second attack on Fort Fisher, January 13-15, 1865, Sgt, Binder was captain of a gun on board his ship.  During that time, he "performed his duties with skill and courage" according to his Medal of Honor citation.

Quite a Few Medals of Honor at Fisher.  --Old B-Runner

It Was Murder, Not a Duel, the Death of William Andrews, CSN

From Confederate Navy Trivia by Terry Foenander.

***  At least one murder is known to have been committed on an officer of the Confederate Navy by a fellow officer.  On October 15, 1862, Acting Master's Mate Joseph Goodwin Hester fired three shots at his commanding officer, Master's Mate (Acting Midshipman)  William Andrews of Georgia, with a pistol, aboard the CSS Sumter, while that vessel was anchored  off Gibraltar.

Andrews died almost instantly, and, after an inquest was held, his remains were laid to rest on October 17, at Gibraltar, attended by members of the Sumter as well as several officers of the One Hundredth Canada Regiment, stationed at the rock.

Hester was under suspicion by Andrews of pilfering  articles from the vessel,  but after arrest for  the murder, Hester tried to vindicate his crime by claiming that Andrews had intended to commit treason by delivering the vessel into the hands of the US authorities.

However, the crew of the Sumter in a letter to the Confederate commissioner in London, James M. Mason, noted that the claim was without foundation, and that Andrews was beloved and respected by all who knew him, especially his crew.

Hester was held by British authorities at Gibraltar, and, after some correspondence with the Confederate authorities, the British sent him aboard the Shannon, to Bermuda, where it was hoped he would be brought through the blockade, for trial in the Confederate States.

However, permission was denied, and he was permitted to go free in Bermuda.

So, That's the Story.  --Old B-Runner