The Attack on the Mailboat Fawn-- Part 2: Too Soon

"My plan was to go to the draw-bridge on the road leading to Windsor, in Bertie County, capture the draw-bridge keeper, force him to respond to the signal of the 'Fawn' as she approached, and when, within a short distance to close the bridge.

"Orders were given to the men that at a given signal, which was to be the firing of a pistol, the men who were concealed in the bushes on both sides of the canal were to rush forward and board the vessel.

"This was easily done, as in many places along the bank a man could step from he shore to the boat.

"Everything was carried out until the opening of the bridge.  Engineer Disher [Henry Discher]was detailed from the 'Albemarle' to take charge of the prize when captured.  His orders were to run her from the canal into Pasquotant River, thence to the Sound, across the Roanoke River, thence to Plymouth.

"Engineer Disher [Discher], becoming greatly excited, discharged his pistol too soon.  This gave the alarm and precipitated the attack.

--Old B-R'er

The Attack on the Mailboat Fawn-- Part 1: Grab the Money and Run

From "The Blue and Gray:  The Patriotic American Magazine Vol. 2: by Frank P. O'Brien.

He reported that during his scouting trips around Chowan Sound and Elizabeth City, he found that there were two mailboats making regular semi-weekly trips between Roanoke Island and Norfolk and that on a certain day the U.S. paymaster would go to Roanoke Island from Norfolk on the mailboat Fawn.

"I returned to Plymouth and reported the information, which was perfectly reliable,  to Captain James [John] Maffitt, of 'Florida' fame, who was soon after the engagement of May 5 (when the CSS Albemarle attacked the Union fleet off Plymouth, N.C.), had relieved  Captain Cooke of the command of the 'Albemarle."

"Captain Maffitt organized a  a crew to carry out my idea of capturing the boat.  Master's Mate James H. Long was placed in command, but on the eve of leaving he was  ordered not to go, as he had but recently recovered from a severe spell of sickness.  

"Mr. Shelley, sailing-master, took his place."

So, evidently an aim was to get the paymaster funds.

--Old B-Runner

And There Were Other Guerilla Attacks in This Area

From the book "From Cape Charles to Cape Fear: The North Atlantic Blockading Squadron" by Robert M. Browning.

On 15 May 1863, thirty members of the Pasquotank guerillas jumped on board the sixty ton mailboat Arrow as she steamed by the drawbridge by Coinjack.

Proceeding down the canal, they also managed to surprise the crew of the ninety-four ton  side-wheel steamer Emily.

They boldly sailed into Albemarle Sound and into the Chowan River and ascended the Blackwater  River as far as Franklin, Virginia, far out of reach of the larger Union gunboats.

--Old B-Runner

Capture and Destruction of Mailboat Fawn-- Part 2

"Commander Earl English of the Wyalusing ascertained that the Fawn was burned by about twenty (20) men from the Albemarle, commanded by one of her officers named Hopkins, who before the rebellion ran a boat on this canal.

"They fired on demanding surrender, killing and wounding seven (7) persons; twenty-nine (29) prisoners were taken, including one (1) colonel and two (2) majors, the rest soldiers government employes, and citizens.

"A Major Jenney and Mr. Julian, a member of Congress, were released at Elizabeth City and went to Roanoke island.

Commander Macomb turned over seven (7)  hostages to Colonel Wardrop, and they were sent by him to General Shepley in Norfolk.

--Old B-R'er

Capture and Destruction of Mailboat Fawn-- Part 1

Not only did the Fawn carry mail, but also paymaster's funds.  

Report of Rear-Admiral S.P. Lee to Gideon Welles of the Fawn's capture and destruction. 

He had received the report from Commander Macomb that the Fawn had been captured on September 9, 1864.  Naval assistance was requested to capture the group of Confederates that had captured it.  Macomb had sent the USS Wyalusing under Lieutenant-Commander Earl English to Elizabeth City  thinking that he might catch the rebels there.

English was also ordered "to bring off some principal citizens of that place" because of an understanding that Elizabeth City would protect vessels passing through the canal.

English had with him some Marines from the Shamrock and Chicopee plus some men from the Wyalusing (not sure if English went to Elizabeth City on foot or in the ship).  Anyway, he arrested seven prominent citizens and found out that the rebels had at least an eight hours head start and thought it useless to continue pursuit.

--Old B-Runner

The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal

 

From Wikipedia.

The capture and destruction of the mailboat Dawn took place on this canal.

The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal was built by a corporation between 1856 and 1860 to afford inland navigation between the Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound.

It is really two canals located thirty miles apart.  One canal is eight and a half miles and connects the Elizabeth River and North Landing River in Virginia.    The other is five and a half miles long and connects Currituck Sound with the North River in North Carolina.

In earlier posts I wrote about the CSS Beaufort on which Charles K. Mallory, Jr. was stationed used the canal to participate in the Battle of Roanoke Island and then later the Battle of Hampton Roads.

--Old B-Runner

James B. Hopkins, CSN and the Capture of the Mailboat Fawn-- Part 2

Seven men from the Fawn were killed or wounded by federal accounts.

Commander James Macomb sent three gunboats carrying extra Marines in pursuit but were too late to capture Hopkins' group.

The gunboats proceed to Elizabeth City, N.C.,  where Lieutenant Commander  English arrested seven citizens whom he sent to Norfolk as hostages.

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

Later in the fall, Confederate raiders blew up the lighthouse at the entrance to Croatan Sound.

Thus was the small-scale war in the Carolina Sounds in 1864 and 1865.

--Old B-Runner

James B. Hopkins, CSN and the Capture and Destruction of Union Mail Boat Fawn

I wrote about the Confederate Navy service of James B. Hopkins in the last post.

From the "Civil War on the Outer Banks" by Fred M. Mallison.

James Hopkins was stationed on the CSS Albemarle, commanded by John Newland Maffitt, in 1864.  Maffitt organized a party of his crew under the command of Pilot James B. Hopkins to capture or destroy the federal mail boat that regularly traveled the  the Dismal Swamp Canal.

Hopkins' venture was successful.

On the night of September 9 they captured the mailboat Fawn, her crew, passengers, and cargo and burned the vessel.

Hopkins withdrew with twenty-nine prisoners, including a colonel and two majors.

--Old B-Runner

Some More Confederate Navy Officers

From Register of Confederate Naval Officers.

JAMES H. HOOD

Born in Canada.  Chief Engineer, October21, 1861.

Served on the C.S. Cruiser Nashville 1861-1862.

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

JAMES B. HOPKINS

Acting Master, pilot. December 5, 1863.  Pilot First Class, February 1, 1864

Served on the CSS Beaufort, Richmond Station 1861-62.  CSS Arctic, Wilmington Station, 1863.

CSS Albemarle, 1864

Commanded expedition that destroyed U.S. mailboat Fawn on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, September 9, 1864.

--Old B-Runner

MCCWRT to Have a Naval Slant Tuesday...Sort Of

The MCCWRT (MCCWRT) will hold its monthly meeting this Tuesday, May 14, at the Woodstock Public Library at 414 W. Judd Street in Woodstock, Illinois.

It will be both in person and via ZOOM from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The speaker will be Ed Urban about the Ellet Raid at Vicksburg.  This will involve the Mississippi Marine Brigade which was a Union Army amphibious unit which included the United States Ram fleet (hence the naval aspect).

The brigade was commanded by Brigadier General Alfred W. Ellet and operated in coordination with the Mississippi River squadron.

All are invited to a pre-meeting get-together for dinner or snacks at 3 Brothers Restaurant in Woodstock on Illinois Highway 47.

Come On By.  --Old B-Runner

Another Confederate Officer Named Charles Mallory

While looking up information on midshipman Charles K. Mallory in the register of Confederate Naval Officers, I found another Charles Mallory.  Only this one was Charles H. Mallory.

He was appointed acting master in 1861, Acting Gunner on February 9, 1862, and Gunner.

He served on the Acquia Creek batteries, CSS Richmond, the Richmond Station 1861-1862.

The Mobile Station 1862-1865.

CSS Morgan in 1862.

He surrendered May 4, 1865, and was paroled  May 10, 1865.

I have not been able to find any more information on him.

--Old B-Runner

Lt. Parker on the Death of Charles K. Mallory: 'Would Have Been Great Naval Officer'

Lt. William Harwar Parker wrote this n his book concerning the death of Midshipman Mallory:  "Poor boy! he met with a sad end at last.  After serving with me in three engagements he was ordered to the gunboat Chattahoochee at Columbus, Ga., and lost his life by the explosion  of her boiler.

"He was from Hampton (Va.) and was an honor  to his birth-place; had he lived and had the opportunity he would have been a great naval officer."

--Old B-Runner

Charles K. Mallory at the Battles of Hampton Roads and Roanoke Island

BATTLE OF HAMPTON ROADS

William Harwar Parker, commander of the CSS Beaufort, continued about Midshipman Mallory at Hampton Roads saying that Mallory was asked by Lt. Pendergrast of the USS Congress as to the name of his ship and said that a shot from her went into the side of the starboard quarter of the Congress and traversing  the whole length of the ship, went out the port bow.

BATTLE OF ROANOKE ISLAND

Earlier in the war, the CSS Beaufort had been at the Battle of Roanoke Island and had come under heavy fire.  A shell exploded over the ship and scattered pieces all over the deck.

"Mallory, a youth of 14, brought some pieces to to me with much glee; he looked upon the whole proceeding  as great fun."

--Old B-R'er

Charles K. Mallory at the Battle of Hampton Roads

The commander of the CSS Beaufort, Lt. William Harwar Parker in his book "Recollections of a Naval Officer 1841-1865" wrote this about the Battle of Hampton Roads and the surrender of the USS Congress after it was destroyed by the CSS Virginia:

As the Congress hoisted a large white flag to its main masthead "Midshipman Mallory, in charge of our bow gun, waved his cap and exclaimed:  'I'll swear on the Bible that we fired the last gun!' "

Parker then ordered Midshipmen Mallory and Foreman to push off with a crew of three to go to the Congress and take possession  and bring her commander on board the Beaufort.

As they approached the stricken ship, a Marine on the gangway leveled his piece at them and threatened to fire, "but Mallory told him he was ordered to board the vessel, and he was bound to do it.

They pulled alongside the Congress, boarded t and Midshipman Foreman hauled down the colors and brought them to me."

--Old B-Runner