Some More Naval Medal of Honor Recipients Buried in Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia-- Part 2

There sure are a lot of Navy Medal of Honor recipients buried at this cemetery.  I wonder if it has anything to do with the Philadelphia Navy Yard being there.

John Lafferty, USS Wyalusing, versus CSS Albemarle.  Also received a second medal of Honor in Peru.

Nicholas Lear, USS New Ironsides, Fort Fisher

Thomas G. Lyons, USS Pensacola, Battle of New Orleans

James Martin II, USMC, USS Richmond, Battle of Mobile Bay

Matthew McClelland, USS Richmond, Battle of Port Hudson

John Smith, USS Richmond, Battle of Mobile Bay

William Thompson, USS Mohican, Battle of Port Royal

Alexander Truett, USS Richmond, Battle of Mobile Bay

John Williams, USS Pawnee, Mathias Point, Va.

William Williams, USS Lehigh, Charleston, S.C.

Sure a lot of Navy, Marine Medals of Honor buried in this cemetery.

--Ol B-R'er

USS Passaic-- Part 6: A Busy Ship in 1863

In a report to Admiral Dahlgren, who had replaced Du Pont,  Commander Simpson related that the Passaic went into action eleven times between  July 29 and September 8th.  During that time,  she fire two hundred and twenty-six shells against the enemy and took in return one hundred and thirty-five hits from Confederate guns.

Typical of her work was the September 8th engagement.  During the attack on Sullivan's Island, she was ordered to go well in front of the rest of the fleet to engage Battery Bee at close range.

The Confederates concentrated all their guns on the Passaic and she was hit fifty-one times.  She managed to fire off  forty-nine of her own shells.

Her last action in 1863, took place on November 16th, when Admiral Dahlgren used her as his flagship during an attack on Fort Moultrie.  In this engagement, the USS Lehigh ran aground and was rescued by the Passaic while both vessels were under heavy fire.

--Old B-Runner

Sweeping for Torpedoes in the James River-- Part 2

Sweeping for torpedoes (mines) was conducted by some 20 boats from 10 ships in the flotilla.  Lt.Cmdr. Ralph Chandler, directing the sweeping operations, gave details:  "Each boat's bow laps the port quarter of the boat just ahead and will lap within the 2 or 3 feet of her.  Each vessel will send an officer to take charge of the two boats.

"Lieutenant Gillett of the Sangamon, and Lieutenant Reed, of the Lehigh, will have charge of the shore parties to keep ahead of the boats and cut all torpedo wires.  The wires should be cut in two places.  Lieutenant Gillett will take the right bank going up and Lieutenant Reed the left.

"Twenty men from the Monadnock will be detailed for this service and will be armed as skirmishers with at least twenty rounds of ammunition.  Two pairs of shears should be furnished to the shore parties.  The officer in charge will throw out pickets, leaving two men to follow the beach to cut the wires."

With the upper river cleared of torpedoes and obstructions, Union ships steamed up to Richmond.

--Old B-Runner

Action in Texas and South Carolina

FEBRUARY 10TH, 1865:  Boat expedition from USS Princess Royal and Antona boarded and destroyed blockade-runner Will-O'-The Wisp, a large iron screw steamer hard aground off Galveston.

FEBRUARY 10-14, 1865:  The monitor USS Lehigh, Lt. Cmdr. Alexander A Semmes, USS Commodore McDonough, Wissahickon, C.P. Williams, Dan Smith and Geranium, supported Brigadier General Alexander Schimmelfennig's troop movements in the Stono and Folly River, South Carolina, area.

The Army had requested the assistance of naval gunfire in its operations preparatory to the final push on Charleston.

--Old B-R'er

150 Years Ago-- November 15-16,1863: USS Lehigh Has Close Call

NOVEMBER 15TH:

The USS Ladona seizes blockade running British schooner Arctic southwest of Frying Pan Shoals, NC, with cargo of salt.

NOVEMBER 15-16TH:

Fort Moultrie opened a heavy bombardment on Union positions at Cumming's Point, Morris Island. Brig. General Gillmore asked for naval help to prevent an attack by boats. Dahlgren had his tugs on patrol duty keep "a good lookout." Monitor USS Lehigh grounded while covering Cumming's Point and the next morning came under heavy fire until pulled off by the USS Nahant.

Five members of the Lehigh received Medals of Honor for heroism while carrying a line from the two ships. The USS Nahant even served during the Spanish-American War protecting New York City.

--Old B-Runner