What About That CSS United States C.S.R.S.?

In the last post, I wrote that Sinclair was stationed on this ship as a surgeon.  Well, let's face it, a ship commissioned in the Confederate Navy with a name like the United States might seem a bit strange.  So, I did a little more research on it.

From Wikipedia.

USS UNITED STATES

This ship certainly had a long and distinguished history in the United States Navy and was one of the  six original frigates authorized by the USS Congress under the Naval Act of 1794.  This means she was a sister ship of the famed USS Constitution.

She was built in Philadelphia at a cost of $299,336 and launched on 10 May 1797.

She saw service in the Quasi War with France, but did not participate in the First Barbary War.  In the War of 1812, she had a famed battle with the HMS  Macedonian.

--Old B-Runner

USS Macedonian and Brooklyn Heading for Pensacola

As mentioned in the previous post, Capt. Brannan at Fort Zachary mentioned that on January 31, 1861, the USS Macedonian had just sailed by Key West on the 30th and that the USS Brooklyn had arrived this day and was planning on leaving the next day.

The Macedonian, a sailing ship, had left Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 12 January 1861, to join the USS Brooklyn, a steam sloop of war.  The Brooklyn arrived off Pensacola on Feb. 9, 1861, as that harbor had been seized by Confederates.

--Old B-Runner

John H. Brannan Holding the Fort in Key West in 1861

From the Official Records War of the Rebellion.

Captain John H. Brannan, First U.S. Artillery, commanding Fort Zachary Taylor, Key West, Florida.

JANUARY 14, 1861:  This was four days after the State of Florida seceded.  Capt. Brannan had placed his entire command at Fort Taylor with plans of defending it.  However, he had just 44 men.

JANUARY 26, 1861:  He reported that no effort had yet been made to take the fort, but he expected one any day.  "If my company was filled up with a hundred men, and a sloop of war stationed in this harbor, there would be no danger of any successful attack."

JANUARY 31, 1861:  At this time, Capt. Brannan reported that he had about sixty men, mechanics and laborers who would defend the fort which was still under construction.  The USS Macedonian passed by the previous night and the USS Brooklyn arrived this morning and was going to depart tomorrow night.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago: USS Brooklyn Arrives at Pensacola, Standoff Continues

FEBRUARY 9, 1861:  The USS Brooklyn, Captain Walker, arrived off Pensacola.  Troops were not landed at Fort Pickens in compliance with the order of 29 January, based on an interim agreement with Florida officials in which the status quo would be maintained (i.e., Forts Barrancas and McRee and Navy Yard remained in Confederate hands, while the Union held Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island).

The Brooklyn, Sabine, Macedonian and St. Louis remained off the harbor, but reinforcements were not put ashore at Fort Pickens until 12 April.

Attempting to Diffuse the Situation.  --Old B-Runner