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

Spring Flooding on James River-- Part 2

MARCH 5, 1865:  The next morning, March 5th, Glisson replied to the secretary: "Your telegram was received this morning at fifteen minutes after midnight; blowing a gale of wind at the time.  The USS Aries sailed at daylight this morning.  The monitors are expected every moment from Cape Fear, and I shall send them up the river immediately."

One of the monitors from the southern stations, the USS Sangamon, arrived in Hampton Roads that afternoon and sped up the James--a quick response to Grant's request.  Within several days three additional monitors joined the Union James River squadron.

--Old B-R'er