USS Gem of the Sea at the Myakka River Skirmish, Florida-- Part 2

Commanded by Acting Master's Mate Peter Coffin, the U.S. sloop Rosalie arrived to provide cover at a shelling position 200 yards from the Myakka's east shore, opening fire with a howitzer when clashes escalated on December 30.

Fifteen Florida refugee rangers led by ranger Captain Enoch Daniels had proceeded on a scouting mission over land to the northeast, and some witnessed the skirmish on their return.

Union forces retreated to their boats with , with one seaman injured.

The Myakka skirmish led Union leaders that thousands of regular troops would be needed to capture and  hold mainland Charlotte Harbor, so the area cattle continued to be driven north to feed the Confederate Army.

--Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea at Myakka River Skirmish-- Part 1

From the Charlotte County Portal.

Myakka River Civil War Skirmish.

During the American Civil War in late 1863, Union forces and "refugee rangers" encountered local combatants in a brief skirmish on the east shore of the Myakka River near today's El Jobean  It is the only recorded Civil war skirmish within the boundaries of present-day Charlotte County.

From December 24 to 39, Union military regulars commanded by Acting Ensign J.H. Jenks on small boats from the bark USS Gem of the Sea encountered signal fires and sporadic gunfire from local Southern sympathizers.

--Old B-Tunner

The USS Gem of the Sea and the Useppa Island Rescue

From the Useppa Island Historical Society "A History of 10,000 Years."

Back on September 6, 2018, I wrote about the USS Gem of the Sea escorting Florida Rangers off Useppa Island in Florida.

In 1863   Union soldiers encamp on Useppa Island.  Charlotte Harbor is blockaded to prevent beef shipments to the Confederacy.  The area is sparsely populated by hunters, fishermen and farmers.

Union sympathizers  find refuge on the island under the protection of the Union Army.  Some of them are active in the Union Florida Rangers cavalry unit.

--Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea-- Part 3: A Thorn In the Side of Confederates

British schooner George was taken in the Sanibel River 29 July 1863 and sloop Richard in Peace Creek on 31 August.

A few days later , in an expedition up the Peace Creek 4-5 September, she destroyed buildings and four boats of the noted blockade runner  Johnson.  This would be the expedition I wrote about a couple days ago.

On 30 September she captured the British schooner Director and the sloop Matilda 21 October.  From 24-30 December 1863, the Gem of the Sea was part of an expedition to the Myacca River, transporting refugee Florida Rangers from Useppa Island to the mainland.

--Old B-R'er