tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49294336481697473122024-03-18T14:11:10.965-07:00Running the Blockade: A Civil War Naval BlogAll things dealing with the Civil War Navies and actions along the coasts and rivers and against forts. Emphasis will be placed on Fort Fisher and all operations around Wilmington, NC. And, of course, the Blockade and Running the Blockade.RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.comBlogger4960125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-86288243472959115142024-03-18T14:10:00.000-07:002024-03-18T14:10:24.774-07:00Remembering 'Civil War Times' and 'America's Civil War'<p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>I sure hope someone buys these two magazines or the other seven history ones which were offered by the same company.</p><p>Sad to See You Go. --Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-3522456727221160072024-03-15T09:27:00.000-07:002024-03-18T14:03:24.565-07:00Road Tripping Through History: Henry Schutes Was Buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia-- Part 1<p>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.</p><p>There are quite a few Medal of Honor recipients buried there.</p><p>I will list the other Navy recipients:</p><p>Charles Baker, USS Metacomet, Battle of Mobile Bay.</p><p>James Healey, USS Kearsarge vs. CSS Alabama.</p><p>Robert Jordan, USS Mount Washington, Nansemond River, Va.</p><p>--B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-31713843152752205122024-03-14T14:03:00.000-07:002024-03-14T14:10:04.131-07:00How Many Medals of Honor Did Henry Schutes Receive?<p>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).</p><p>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.</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-34467511559242664202024-03-13T10:19:00.000-07:002024-03-13T10:19:13.005-07:00Was It One or Two Medals of Honor for Henry Schutes?<p>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.</p><p>--Old B-R'er</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-66316851217012423192024-03-12T10:50:00.000-07:002024-03-12T10:50:27.527-07:00Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Schutes-- Part 4: Not One, But Two Medals of Honor<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The cemetery attributes his death to "general failure of willpower."</p><p>--Old B-R'er</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-81152330526166293942024-03-10T12:51:00.000-07:002024-03-10T12:52:43.685-07:00Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Schutes-- Part 3: For Action at Fort McAllister<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-11012900637566468802024-03-08T13:51:00.000-08:002024-03-08T13:51:18.888-08:00Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Schutes-- Part 2: Battle of New Orleans<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The ships made it past the Confederate defenses and New Orleans surrendered.</p><p>But this wasn't Schutes' only Medal of Honor. He received a second one nearly a year later.</p><p>--Old B-R'er</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-53117793126234031582024-03-07T11:38:00.000-08:002024-03-08T13:05:30.464-08:00Another Union Navy Medal of Honor: Captain of the Forecastle Henry Schutes-- Part 1<p>From the Feb. 12, 2024 Aerotech News by Katie Lang.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>That rank was similar to a current day petty officer.</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-83640003219951569122024-03-05T14:02:00.000-08:002024-03-05T14:02:31.321-08:00Marines at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 3: Six Received Medals of Honor<p>The book said that another 180 Marines aided the Army in their attack on the land face of the fort.</p><p>A number of Marines distinguished themselves during the attack. Six received a Medal of Honor in the action.</p><p>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.</p><p>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."</p><p>The Marine battalion sustained 15 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and one officer and 45 men wounded during the action.</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-39231303928881093682024-03-04T12:51:00.000-08:002024-03-04T12:51:26.472-08:00Marines at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 2: Digging Entrenchments with 'Our Noses and Toes'<p>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.</p><p>"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."</p><p>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.</p><p>--Old B-R'er</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-51873592359005607932024-03-03T12:46:00.000-08:002024-03-03T12:46:28.016-08:00Marines at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher<p>From American Civil War Marines 1861-1865 by Ron Field.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-54381168872901576812024-03-02T11:53:00.000-08:002024-03-02T11:53:56.945-08:00Some More on the New Fort Fisher Visitors Center<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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."</p><p>The budget for the whole undertaking is $25 million. Throughout the whole process, feedback from the public has been a cornerstone of it.</p><p>--Old B-R'er</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-87702121010388425912024-03-01T11:41:00.000-08:002024-03-01T11:41:02.083-08:00The New Fort Fisher Visitors Center ProgressingFrom February 21, 2024, WWAY News, Wilmington, N.C. "Fort Fisher Visitor Center Undergoing Finishing Touches" by Emily Andrews.<div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>The so-far 18-month project began in October 2022 and has a price tag of $25 million.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now, plans are for having a ribbon-cutting ceremony this coming Labor Day.</div><div><br /></div><div>--Old B-Runner</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-88108325995117905152024-02-28T10:30:00.000-08:002024-02-28T10:30:38.055-08:00RoadTrippin' Through Laurel Hill Cemetery: More Naval Officers and Marines<p>GARRETT J. PENDERGRAST (1802-1862)-- Naval officer War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.</p><p>GEORGE C. REAAD (1788-1862)-- Naval officer</p><p>WILLIAM RONCKENDORFF (1812-1891)-- Naval officer in Mexican and Civil War.</p><p>PINKERTON R. VAUGHAN, USMC (1841-1866)-- Medal of Honor recipient on USS Mississippi during action at Port Hudson.</p><p>JACOB ZEILIN (1806-1880)-- USMC Commandant and first Marine general.</p><p>--Old B-R'er</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-85762369174185288372024-02-26T17:10:00.000-08:002024-02-28T10:06:06.035-08:00Road Trippin' Laurel Hill Cemetery-- Part 3: Navy OfficersSYLVANUS WILLIAM GOGON (1809-1879)-- US Navy officer, served Mexican and Civil War. At Fort Fisher.<div><br /><div>ELIE A. F. LA VALLETTE (1790-1862)-- U.S. Navy officer. Served War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>EDWARD Y. McCAULEY (1827-1894) U.S. navy officer.</div><div><br /></div><div>GEORGE W. MELVILLE (1841-1912)-- U. S. navy officer in Civil War.</div><div><br /></div><div>SAMUEL MERCER (1799-1862) U.S. Navy officer. Mexican War and Civil War.</div><div><br /></div><div>--Old B-R'er</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-20770968280007447132024-02-23T12:30:00.000-08:002024-02-23T12:30:55.210-08:00MCCWRT Discussion Set for February 24: Battle of the Ironclads at Hampton Roads<p>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.</p><p>It will be in person and on Zoom if we can get it up.</p><p>This battle between the CSS Virginia and USS Monitor changed naval warfare for ever. </p><p>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.</p><p>Panera Bread is located on US-14 (Northwest Highway) by Main Street.</p><p>We meet from 10 am to 11:30.</p><p>Come on Down. --Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-79146649270626511502024-02-22T16:56:00.000-08:002024-02-26T16:55:41.036-08:00Road Trippin' to Laurel Hill Cemetery-- Part 2: Civil War<p>JOHN A. DAHLGREN (1809-1870)-- Admiral and commander of South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Invented the Dahlgren gun.</p><p>PERCIVAL DRAYTON (1812-1865)-- Union Navy officer.</p><p>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.</p><p>CHARLES RIVERS ELLETT (1843-1863)-- Charles Ellett Jr's son and colonel in Union Army who commanded ships in the Ram Fleet.</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-73715124066161543312024-02-21T10:26:00.000-08:002024-02-21T10:26:47.970-08:00Road Trippin' to Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia<p>From Wikipedia.</p><p>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'.</p><p>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. </p><p>I'll write about the War of 1812 navy officers in my Not So Forgotten: War of 1812 blog.</p><p>Also, Union General George Gordon Meade, the victor at the Battle of Gettysburg is buried there.</p><p>Any naval officer connected to the Civil War will be listed in this blog.</p><p>--Old B-R'er</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-49493242412631057972024-02-19T12:43:00.000-08:002024-02-19T12:44:22.080-08:00Other Medal of Honor Recipients Buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery<p>From Wikipedia.</p><p>Continuing with my Road Tripping Through History.</p><p>There are four other Union veterans buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery (Name, life & where he earned his Medal of Honor):</p><p>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.)</p><p>WALLACE W.JOHNSON (1842-1911) 2nd Day Battle of Gettysburg</p><p>GEORGE HENRY STOCKTON (1833-1912) Vicksburg</p><p>ELWOOD N. WILLIAMS (1842-1921) Shiloh</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-83262161530668745172024-02-18T10:23:00.000-08:002024-02-18T10:23:15.052-08:00Road Trippin' Through History; About the Cemetery Where Sgt. Binder Was Buried<p>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.</p><p> 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>There are several other Union soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Honor.</p><p>I will cover them in the next post.</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-77538977763426872412024-02-17T12:20:00.000-08:002024-02-17T12:20:39.754-08:00The Text of Sgt. Binder's Medal of Honor<p>From the Naval History and Heritage Command.</p><p>"BINDER, RICHARD, Sergeant USMC. Born 1840, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to Pennsylvania.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>During the action, the flag was planted on one of the strongest fortifications possessed by the rebels."</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-5590729306105091632024-02-13T15:22:00.000-08:002024-02-18T10:25:04.633-08:00USMC Medal of Honor at Fort Fisher: Sgt. Richard Binder-- Part 2<p>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.</p><p>In 1868 he married a woman named Fredericka who had immigrated from the same German city years prior. They had a daughter and son.</p><p>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.</p><p>He died February 26, 1912, from heart disease and is buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia.</p><p>For the Hairy Old. --Old B-R'er</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-91758928961119501782024-02-11T10:08:00.000-08:002024-02-17T12:21:40.890-08:00USMC Medal of Honor at Fort Fisher: Sgt. Richard Binder-- Part 1<p>From January 15, 2024, Medal of Honor Monday.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.)</p><p>From there he moved on to serve on other ships and participated in actions. In 1864, he was transferred to the USS Ticonderoga.</p><p>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.</p><p>Quite a Few Medals of Honor at Fisher. --Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-3313958869441763612024-02-09T14:36:00.000-08:002024-02-09T14:37:59.148-08:00It Was Murder, Not a Duel, the Death of William Andrews, CSN<p>From Confederate Navy Trivia by Terry Foenander.</p><p>*** 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>However, permission was denied, and he was permitted to go free in Bermuda.</p><p>So, That's the Story. --Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4929433648169747312.post-19913657840815270692023-05-13T10:09:00.008-07:002024-02-09T14:37:40.566-08:00John Barrien Montgomery USN-- Part 25: U.S. Pacific Squadron at Onset of the Civil War<p>Continued from March 1, 2023.</p><p>At the onset of the Civil War, the U.S. Pacific Fleet/Squadron consisted of the screw sloops USS Lancaster, USS Narragansett and USS Wyoming; the sidewheeler sloop Saranac and sailing sloops USS St. Mary's and USS Cyane. None of them were in San Francisco, but spread all over the Pacific. It was commanded by John Barrien Montgomery (the destroyer USS Montgomery (DD-121) that fought in World War I and World War II was named after him.</p><p>Montgomery did not know the war had started until May 1861, while on board the Lancaster in Hawaii.</p><p>Acting Rear Admiral Charles H. Bell took command of the Pacific Fleet on January 2, 1862.</p><p>--Old B-Runner</p><p><br /></p>RoadDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930336737600309256noreply@blogger.com0