News From Bermuda July 23, 1863: A Fourth of July Picnic

From the July 23, 1863, Wilmington Journal.

"From Bermuda-- We have received the Bermudian and Bermuda Mirror, both of the 8th Inst., and both published at Hamilton, Bermuda.  We find little or nothing in the way of news that has not been anticipated.

"We cut out some items however that may not be deficient in interest. or amusement.

"The first is the following account of a Fourth of July Pic Nic, given by gentlemen connected with the Confederate steamers Lady Davis (Cornubia) and Eugenie.  Some of our friends had a good time on their own."  Many toasts were given and taken.

The Bermuda newspaper no doubt came through the blockade.

--Old B-R'er

July 4, 1863: The Fall of Vicksburg-- Part 2: Port Hudson Next

Observing that he must continue to push on to finish the operations in the west by seizing Port Hudson, Sherman added:  "It does seem to me that Port Hudson, without facilities for supplies or interior communication must soon follow the fate of Vicksburg and to leave the river free, and to you the task of  preventing any more Vicksburgs or Port Hudsons on the banks of the great inland sea.

"Though farther apart, the Navy and Army will still act in concert, and I assure you I shall never reach the banks of the river or see a gunboat but I will think of Admiral Porter, Captain Breese, and the many elegant and accomplished gentlemen it has been my good fortune to meet on armed and unarmed decks of the Mississippi squadron."

--Old B-R'er

July 4, 1863: Fall of Vicksburg-- Part 1

JULY 4, 1863:  Vicksburg, Mississippi, long under assault and siege by water and land, capitulated to General Grant.

W.T. Sherman congratulated Rear Admiral Porter for the decisive role played by the Navy in effecting the surrender:  "No event in life could have given me more personal pride or pleasure than to have met you to-day on the wharf at Vicksburg --  a Fourth of July so eloquent in events as to need no words or stimulants to elevate its importance....

"In so magnificent a result I stop not to count who did it; it is done, and the day of our nation's birth is consecrated and baptized anew in a victory won by the United Navy and Army of our country."

Well, A Great Victory for the Union, But Not So Good a Day for My Side.  --Old B-Runner

July 4, 1862: Loss of the Confederate "Aircraft Carrier" CSS Teaser

JULY 4TH, 1862:  The USS Maratanza, Lt. Stevens, engaged the CSS Teaser, Lt. Davidson, at Haxall's on the James River.  The Teaser was abandoned and captured after a shell from Maratanza exploded her boiler.  In addition to placing mines in the river, Davidson had gone down the river with a balloon on board for the purpose of making an aerial reconnaissance of Union General McClellan's positions at City Point and Harrison's Landing.

By this time both Union and Confederate forces were utilizing the balloon for gathering intelligence; the Teaser was the Southern counterpart, the USS G.W. Parke Custiss, from whose deck aerial observations had been made the preceding year.

Well, essentially they were early aircraft carriers.

The Teaser's balloon, as well as a quantity of insulated wire and mine equipment, were found on board the Teaser.  Six shells with "peculiar fuzes" were also taken and sent to Captain Dahlgren at the Washington Navy Yard for examination.

Mines and Balloons, Oh My.  --Old B-Runner

The Fourth of July Celebration in Japan

JULY 6, 1864:  Captain Cicero Price of the USS Jamestown, wrote Secretary Welles from Yokohama, Japan, regarding the celebration of Independence Day in that far-off port: "The Fourth was very handsomely celebrated here, all the foreign ships of war participating by dressing their ships, as well as saluting.  It was very marked on the part of the British."

With the tide of war ashore as well as afloat swinging to the Union, British intervention of the side of the South was no longer much of a possibility.

--Old B-Runner

July 4, 1864: Confederates Provide Excuse for Firing Celebratory Cannons in Arkansas

JULY 4TH, 1864:  The USS Hastings engaged Confederate sharpshooters on the White River above St. Charles, Arkansas.  Lt.Cmdr. Phelps said of the 300-ton, eight-gun Hastings in his report to Rear Admiral Porter: "I had been at a loss to know how we should celebrate the Fourth, being underway and having so much of a convoy in charge, but this attack occurring about noon furnished the opportunity of at once punishing the enemy and celebrating the day by firing cannons."

Just one year earlier, the July Fourth celebration was made even better by the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg the previous day and the surrender of Vicksburg, two events that were the beginning of the end for the Confederacy.

--Old B-R'er