March 3, 1862-- Part 1: Capture of Cumberland Island and St. Mary's

MARCH 3RD, 1862:  Flag Officer Du Pont, commanding the joint amphibious expedition to Fernandina, Florida, reported to Secretary of Navy Welles that he was "in full possession of Cumberland Island and Sound, of Fernandina and Amelia Island, and the river and town of St. Mary's."

Confederate defenders were in the process of withdrawing heavy guns inland and offered only token resistance.

Fort Clinch on Amelia Island was occupied by an armed boat crew from the USS Ottawa.  It had been seized by Confederates at the beginning of the war and had thus become the first formely-held U.S. fort to be retaken.

--Old B-R'er

150 Years Ago-- December 7-9, 1863

DECEMBER 7TH:

Asst, Sec. of Navy Fox sent a list of ships running the blockade to Rear Admiral Lee saying: "While captures are numerous, it is not the less evident that there are as many that escape capture."

DECEMBER 8TH:

The USS Brazileria found the blockade-runner Antoinette run aground at Cumberland Island, Georgia, and a total wreck

**  The disabled merchant ship Henry Van Phul shelled by a Confederate battery near Morganza, Louisiana, but were driven off by two Union warships. Merchant ships operating along the rivers were ok as long as escorted by Navy ships.

DECEMBER 9TH:

In his annual message to Congress, President Lincoln noted that the blockade was increasing in efficiency, but "illicit trade is not entirely suppressed."

--Old B-Runner