Confederates Capture Tug Lizzie Freeman in Virginia

DECEMBER 5, 2014,:  Confederate force under Acting Master William A. Hines, CSN, captured tug Lizzie Freeman by boarding near Smithfield, Virginia.  The daring raid took place shortly before midnight while the Union tug, with two Army officers on board, lay at anchor.

USS Chocura, Lt. Cmdr. Meade, seized blockade-running British schooner Julia south of Velasco, Texas, with cargo including bar iron, medicines, cotton bagging and rope.

DECEMBER 5-6TH, 1864:  Monitors USS Saugus, Onondaga, Mahopac and Canonicus (most of them at the Battle of Fort Fisher 19 days later) participated in a lively engagement with strong shore batteries at Howlett's, James River, Virginia.  The Saugus received a solid 7-inch shot which disabled her turret.

--Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago-- April 13th-14th, 1864: Looking for the Squib

APRIL 13TH-14TH, 1864: A joint Army-Navy expedition advanced up the Nansemond River, Virginia, to capture Confederate troops and destroy the torpedo boat Squib which had recently attacked the USS Minnesota and was rumored to be in the area. //// From prisoners, they learned that the Squib had departed from Smithfield to Richmond already. //// APRIL 14TH: Small steamers of the Mississippi Squadron continued to engage Confederate activity along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. This date, Confederates entered Paducah, Kentucky. They also appeared by Columbus, Kentucky on the 13th. --Old B-Runner