December 28, 1862: USS Anacostia Seizes Schooner

DECEMBER 28, 1862:  The USS Anacostia, Acting Master Nelson Provost, seized schooner Exchange in the Rappahannock River, Virginia.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, January 1, 1862: Action on the Potomac River

JANUARY 1, 1862:  The USS Yankee, Lt. Eastman, and USS Anacostia, Lt. Oscar C. Badger, exchanged fire with Confederate batteries at Cockpit Point, Potomac River; the Yankee was damaged slightly.

Attacks by ships of the Potomac Flotilla were instrumental in forcing the withdrawal of strong Confederate emplacements along the river.  Batteries at Cockpit and Shipping Point were abandoned by 9 March 1862.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago: Potomac Flotilla Engages Confederate Batteries at Aquia Creek, Virginia.

MAY 29TH-JUNE 1ST, 1861:  The Potomac Flotilla, consisting of the USS Thomas Freeborn, Commander Ward, USS Anacostia, Lt. Napoleon Collins, USS Resolute, Acting Master William Budd, engaged Confederate batteries at Aquia Creek, Virginia.

The flotilla was joined by the USS Pawnee, Commander Rowan, on the evening of May 31st.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago: Alexandria, Virginia, Surrenders to Union Navy

MAY 24TH, 1861:  Commander Rowan, commanding the USS Pawnee, demanded the surrender of Alexandria, Virginia; amphibious expedition departed Washington Navy Yard, after embarking secretly at night under Commander Dahlgren's supervision, and occupied Alexandria.

Admiral D.D. Porter later noted of this event: "The first landing of Northern troops upon the Virginia shores was under cover of these improvised gunboats [USS Thomas Freeborn, Anacostia, and Resolute] ... at Alexandria...  Alexandria was evacuated by the Confederates upon demand of a naval officer-- Commander S.C. rowan ... and ..the American flag was hoisted on the Custom House and other prominent places by the officer in charge of a landing party of sailors-- Lieutenant R.B. Lowry.

"This ... gave indication of the feelings of the Navy, and how ready was the service to put down secession on the first opportunity offered."

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago: Union Girding for War, USS Constitution Saved

APRIL 20TH, 1861:  The USS Constitution, Lt. George Rodgers, moored in the Severn River off Annapolis, was towed into the Chesapeake Bay by steamer Maryland with general Butler's troops on board.  This action, preceded that the resolute measures by the Naval Academy staff and midshipmen, prevented Confederates from sizing the already historic "Old Ironsides."

**  USS Anacostia, Lt. Thomas S. Fillebrown, was ordered to patrol off Kettle Bottom Shoals, Virginia, to prevent the obstruction of the channel at that point; the crew was augmented by 20 Marines from the Washington Navy Yard.

**  Cornelius Vanderbilt offered the government the fast steamer Vanderbilt.  Eventually the Navy acquired many private ships by charter or purchase to strengthen the blockade.

**  U.S. coast survey schooner Twilight, Andrew C. Mitchell, was seized in Aransas, Texas.

--Old B-Runner