USS Lexington-- Part 4: At Vicksburg and Red River Campaigns

After relieving the Union Fort Donelson garrison, the Lexington went back to the Mississippi River on June 2 and took part in the final operations against Vicksburg.  The Lexington joined the USS Choctaw in aiding outnumbered Union troops  at Milliken's Bend, Mississippi.

For the next month, she operated against Vicksburg until it fell.  In October it was back to the Tennessee River and then in February 1864 back to the Mississippi and operations on the Red River where the Lexington and fleet were saved by the construction of the dam which allowed water levels to rise enough for the fleet to pass through the rapids to safety on May 9, 1864.

On 15 June 1864, the  Lexington seized two steamers with cotton on board. then repulsed an attack on White River Station, Arkansas, on 22 June 1864.  For the rest of the war, the Lexington did convoy and patrol duty.

Decommissioned on 2 July 1865 and sold 17 August 1865.

The Union Sure Got Their Money's Worth Out of This Ship.  --Old B-Runner

USS Marmora's James Stoddard-- Part 3: Promoted to Acting Master's Mate

The commander of the USS Marmora wrote that the gun the three men were using was  severely damaged in the fighting, "to the bravery of that guns crew may be attributed the change of fortune that day ... I would mot respectfully solicit in their behalf that you would confer a medal of honor on the following men, James Stoddard, Bartlett Laffey and William J. Franks."

James Stoddard received a shot through his neck in the battle but was slowly recovering.

On April 16, 1864, Stoddard was awarded the Medal of Honor, as were the other two sailors.  On may 8, 1864, James Stoddard was promoted to Acting Master's mate.  In accepting the promotion, Stoddard  documented that he was a citizen of Canada.

Stoddard continued to serve as an officer on the USS Marmora until late 1864 when he was transferred to the USS  Choctow, another steamer in the Mississip Squadron and served through 1865.  He was discharged from the Navy on May 20, 1865, near New Orleans, Louisiana,  (well beyond his one year's enlistment).

There are no records of him after the war so it is not known if he returned to Canada.

--Old B-R'er

150 Years Ago-- November 18, 1863: The Mississippi Still Not Safe

NOVEMBER 18TH

Captain Thomas A. Faries, CSA, commanding a battery near Hog Point, Louisiana, on the Mississippi River, to disrupt Union shipping on the river, wrote of a battle with three Union warships.

He wrote that the USS Choctow "left her position above, and, passing down, delivered a very heavy fire from her bow, side, and stern guns, enfilading for a short time the four rifle guns in the redoubt."

--Old B-R'er