CSS City of Vicksburg-- Part 3: Afterwards

The Confederates removed the machinery from the Vicksburg and she remained at Vicksburg as a wharf boat,

On 29 March 1863, Federal units were sent to quarters just after midnight as a steamer was reporting coming down the river.  The weather was squally and the Vicksburg had gotten adrift.  She passed by them and it was plain to see she was nothing more than "a harmless hulk."

She was set afire by three men seen chasing her along the shore.

The Federals sent a party to inspect the ship and found no machinery aboard.

But in December 1863 Secretary of War E.M. Stanton gave intelligence of "a very formidable vessel" being finished near Mobile.  The report said, "This vessel is said to contain the machinery of the steamer  Vicksburg, which was taken overland from Vicksburg to Mobile.  These engines were constructed partially under my superintendence at New Albany, when the steamer Vicksburg  was constructed, and I know the engine to be as powerful as any now on the Mississippi River.

I wonder if this new Confederate vessel was the CSS Tennessee?

--Old B-R'er

CSS City of Vicksburg-- Part 2: Fighting the Queen of the West

In early February 1863, the Vicksburg was tied up by landing of the City of Vicksburg and Union Admiral David Porter ordered one of his ships, the Queen of the West, to run past Vicksburg's strong defenses and attack the Vicksburg.

The ship's commander, Charles Rivers Ellet, did so and on early morning of February 2, came in sight of Vicksburg.  Its batteries opened on the Queen of the West, which was partially turned to take advantage of deflecting projectiles.  This caused the ship's way to be lost and she drifted down river.

Ellet had his guns shotted with incendiary shells and opened on the Vicksburg and rammed her.

Afterwards, Ellet reported:  "The Vicksburg was the largest and strongest steamer on the river, and I think they were preparing to use her against our transports, being very fleet."

Deserters reported a large hole in the side of the Vicksburg from the ramming.  She was also on fire and only held afloat by being buoyed up by her coal barges.

--Old B-Runner

Charles Rivers Ellet and the Queen of the West-- Part 2: Running Past Vicksburg

On February 2, 1863, Charles Rivers Ellet was ordered by Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter to make a run down the Mississippi River in the Queen of the West past the batteries of Vicksburg to support Admiral Farragut south of the city.

This was done in daylight and for fifty straight minutes the Queen of the West was under fire.  The ship took twelve hits but sustained just minimal damage.  Once past the batteries, Ellet found the CSS City of Vicksburg (also called the CSS Vicksburg) docked.  Ellet rammed her and set her on fire.

Enemy fire, however, forced the Queen of the West to disengage.  Damage to the Vicksburg ended her days as a fighting ship and she ended up as just a wharf ship after machinery was removed.

Union forces supplied the Queen of the West with 20,000 bushels of coal by floating an unmanned coal barge past Vicksburg.

On February 3 the Queen of the West captured three Confederate transport ships:  CSS A.W. Baker, CSS Moro, and CSS Berwick Bay.  Two of them were loaded with supplies for Vicksburg.

--Old B-R'er

MCCWRT May Meeting: Charles Rivers Elett, the Queen of the West and the Sinking of the Indianola-- Part 1

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table met on May14, 2024, and Ed Urban gave a talk on this oft overlooked aspect of the Civil War involving situations around Vicksburg as the Union Army and Navy attempted to subdue the Confederate stronghold and open the Mississippi River.

The Union forces launched four attempts at capturing Vicksburg.  The first was in May 1862, then June 1862, November 1862 and Sherman's attack on Chickasaw Bluffs.  The May attack was bungles, the June was derailed by the CSS Arkansas and November by the Confederate attack on Holly Springs.

Confederates still maintained control of the Mississippi River between Vicksburg southward to Port Hudson.

The Mississippi Ram fleet was the brainchild of Charles River Ellet.  Even though this involved ships, it was not a part of the Navy because Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles turned him down, but Secretary of War Stanton didn't.  As such, the Ram Fleet was technically a part of the Army.

(I have always been somewhat confused on this point.)

--Old B-Runner

MCCWRT to Have a Naval Slant Tuesday...Sort Of

The MCCWRT (MCCWRT) will hold its monthly meeting this Tuesday, May 14, at the Woodstock Public Library at 414 W. Judd Street in Woodstock, Illinois.

It will be both in person and via ZOOM from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The speaker will be Ed Urban about the Ellet Raid at Vicksburg.  This will involve the Mississippi Marine Brigade which was a Union Army amphibious unit which included the United States Ram fleet (hence the naval aspect).

The brigade was commanded by Brigadier General Alfred W. Ellet and operated in coordination with the Mississippi River squadron.

All are invited to a pre-meeting get-together for dinner or snacks at 3 Brothers Restaurant in Woodstock on Illinois Highway 47.

Come On By.  --Old B-Runner

Other Medal of Honor Recipients Buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery

From Wikipedia.

Continuing with my Road Tripping Through History.

There are four other Union veterans buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery  (Name, life & where he earned his Medal of Honor):

CHARLES M. BETTS (1838-1905)  Greensboro, N.C. April 1865.  (This would have made him one of the last to receive the Medal during the war.)

WALLACE W.JOHNSON  (1842-1911)  2nd Day Battle of Gettysburg

GEORGE HENRY STOCKTON  (1833-1912)  Vicksburg

ELWOOD N. WILLIAMS  (1842-1921)  Shiloh

--Old B-Runner

The CSS Mississippi

From the April 24, 2017, Emerging Civil War  "Failed ironclads:  CSS Mississippi and CSS Louisiana at New Orleans" by Dwight Hughes.

Despite all the problems listed in the previous posts about the ship, Confederate naval officers considered the Mississippi "the strongest...most formidable war vessel that had ever been built."  It was 250 feet long, 1400 tons and was quite unorthodox, even for an ironclad.

As stated before, the Tift brother, Asa and Nelson, had persuaded Mallory that they could make up for a lack of skilled shipwrights needed to bend and shape frames and planks for the hull by building it like a house with flat sides and square corners except where the pointed ends joined the hull.  Essentially, just a big floating box  with guns.

The ship had four and a half feet of wood an iron with a casemate for twenty guns, powered by eight boilers, three engines and three propellers.

She was hurriedly launched on April 19, the day Farragut passed the forts guarding New Orleans:  Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip.  But, Tredegar  Iron Works in Richmond had not yet delivered the main propeller shafts and herb guns were not mounted.

Five days later, with Farragut's ships approaching the city, the crew fled upriver to Vicksburg.  The executive officer, Lieutenant James Waddell, volunteered to return and set her afire.

(Waddell later commanded the raider CSS Shenandoah at the end of the war.)

--Old B-Runner

A Quick Follow Up on James Alden and Did I See the Words Fort Fisher?

Yesterday, I wrote about this man's grave being at Portland, Maine's Eastern Cemetery, something I discovered while going through a list of American Revolution, War of 1812 and Civil War veterans buried at this historic cemetery.

Since he was also a Navy guy, that naturally piqued my interest.  It is more than just a gravestone, actually more of a 4-sided monument to him with four sides that towers over the other gravestones nearby.

It has four panels.

**  The first one also has a rendering of his face as well as birth/death dates and where they took place.

**  The second panel has a rendering of  a mariner's sextant and the  words:

Intrepid Explorer  /  Skillful Hydrographer  /  Cartographer  of the West Coast / Of the United States.

**  Panel 3:   Rendering of the Seal of the United States Navy

Entered the Navy April 1, 1828 / Commissioned Rear Admiral June 19, 1871.

**  Panel 4:  Rendering of sail warships in combat.

Mexican War / Civil War / New Orleans / Vicksburg / Port Hudson / Mobile Bay /  Fort Fisher.

Wait a minute, did I just see the words FORT FISHER?  Plus, that sure was a lot of major Civil War naval battles.

Well then, that sure makes my day, doesn't it?

And, then there's that famous Alden name.  I wonder if....   Could he have been related to that Pilgrim Alden?

So Happy.  --Old B-Runner

MCCWRT Discussion Group Meets Sat., June 22: The Union Navy at Vicksburg

Saturday, June 22, the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group will meet at Panera Bread at 6000 Northwest Highway (US Highway 14) in Crystal Lake, Illinois, for our monthly gabfest.

This month's topic is "Union Navy's Contribution to the Vicksburg Campaign."

Time runs from 10 a.m. to noon.

All are welcome, even non-members, so drop on by.

--Old B-Runner

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 Norfolk Packet-- Part 2: Service in SABS

Next, the Norfolk Packet bombarded Vicksburg, Mississippi, 27 June to July 8, 1862.  It supported Farragut's run past the batteries to meet Flag Officer Davis' Western Flotilla.

Following this action, it sailed to Baltimore, Maryland for repairs.

After this it was assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and arrived at Port Royal, S.C., 7 November 1862.  For the rest of the war it served on that station blockading the coastal waters of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

She participated in the bombardment of Fort McAllister by Savannah, Georgia, on 3 March 1863; captured the  schooner Ocean Bird  off St. Augustine Inlet, Florida on October 23, 1863 (which I wrote about this past Tuesday and why I am researching this vessel further).

--Old B-Runner

USS Marmora-- Part 3: The Sinking of the Cairo and Actions on the Yazoo River

On December 12, the Marmora led  the USS Signal, Cairo and Pittsburg up the Yazoo River until they spotted several torpedoes. The Cairo commenced firing at the right bank and sent a boat out to investigate the nearest torpedo.  As that boat towed the torpedo back, another one exploded under the Cairo, ripping her bottom out completely.

The Cairo rapidly sank as the other Union ships sent out boats to rescue the crew.

After that, the Marmora continued to remove torpedoes and assist the Army as they probed to find a weakness in the Vicksburg defenses.  On December 27, the Marmora and other ships actively engaged Confederate batteries at Drumgould's Bluff.

The next day, the Union ships aided in the landing of General William T. Sherman's troops in an attempted effort to capture Confederate guns on Chickasaw Bluff upstream from Vicksburg, but that attack failed.

--Old B-Runner

CSS Missouri, A Timeline-- Part 3: Confederate Army Seized Cannons Intended for the CSS Missouri

FEBRUARY 28, 1863--  Carter still unable to obtain iron plate for the Caddo (CSS Missouri), Carter writes to Vicksburg, Shreveport and Texas Railroad:  "It is sometimes necessary to take public property for public use without the consent of the owner....  It is my wish to obtain the iron with your consent, but if that is refused, I shall certainly use the iron, if needed...."

MARCH 12, 1863--  Naval inspection officer Lt. Robert S. Minor, reported to Mallory that the heavy guns intended for the ironclad at Shreveport had been seized by Hen. John C. Pemberton to be used in the defenses of Vicksburg.

APRIL 1, 1863--  Carter again wrote to Mallory requesting naval guns and said that the army had seized the guns intended for the Caddo for the defense of Grand Gulf, Mississippi.  He also urged that the construction of the second ironclad at Shreveport be started as soon as possible.

--Old B-R'er

July 10, 1863: Fox Congratulates Farragut for Vicksburg and Port Hudson

JULY 10TH, 1863:  Assistant secretary Fox wrote Rear Admiral Farragut, congratulating him upon "the final opening of the Mississippi" through the Union victories at Vicksburg and Port Hudson.

"You smashed in the door [at New Orleans] in an unsurpassed movement and the success above became a certainty....  Your last move past Port Hudson has hastened the downfall of the Rebs."

--Old B-Runner

July 4, 1863: The Fall of Vicksburg-- Part 2: Port Hudson Next

Observing that he must continue to push on to finish the operations in the west by seizing Port Hudson, Sherman added:  "It does seem to me that Port Hudson, without facilities for supplies or interior communication must soon follow the fate of Vicksburg and to leave the river free, and to you the task of  preventing any more Vicksburgs or Port Hudsons on the banks of the great inland sea.

"Though farther apart, the Navy and Army will still act in concert, and I assure you I shall never reach the banks of the river or see a gunboat but I will think of Admiral Porter, Captain Breese, and the many elegant and accomplished gentlemen it has been my good fortune to meet on armed and unarmed decks of the Mississippi squadron."

--Old B-R'er

July 4, 1863: Fall of Vicksburg-- Part 1

JULY 4, 1863:  Vicksburg, Mississippi, long under assault and siege by water and land, capitulated to General Grant.

W.T. Sherman congratulated Rear Admiral Porter for the decisive role played by the Navy in effecting the surrender:  "No event in life could have given me more personal pride or pleasure than to have met you to-day on the wharf at Vicksburg --  a Fourth of July so eloquent in events as to need no words or stimulants to elevate its importance....

"In so magnificent a result I stop not to count who did it; it is done, and the day of our nation's birth is consecrated and baptized anew in a victory won by the United Navy and Army of our country."

Well, A Great Victory for the Union, But Not So Good a Day for My Side.  --Old B-Runner

USS De Soto-- Part 5: Service On Mississippi River and Off Texas

In early July 1862, the USS De Soto made a run up the Mississippi River carrying letters and passengers to the Union ships participating in the Siege of Vicksburg.  Then, it was back to  the Gulf and patrolling off Texas between Sabine Pass, the Brazos River and Brazos Santiago at the mouth of the Rio Grande River.

In early October, it returned to New Orleans for temporary repairs to its boilers.  But a backlog of work and lack of funds there caused Farragut to have to send the De Soto to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for extensive repairs.  The ship arrived there 18 November and the repairs lasted two months.

During this time William M. Walker was promoted from commander to captain.  The De Soto's battery was altered and now mounted one 11-inch Dahlgren, one 30-pdr. Parrot rifle, six 32-pdrs and two 12-pdr. smoothbores.

It left Philadelphia 3 February 1863 and stopped at Havana and Santo Domingo before arriving in key West 15 February.

--Old B-Runner

Warrenton, Mississippi in the Civil War

From Wikipedia.

I have mentioned this town in the last two 155 years ago posts.

An unincorporated community about five miles below Vicksburg, Mississippi.  At one time it was the largest town in the county, but nearby Vicksburg began to prosper especially because of its higher elevation.

During the Civil War, Confederates built a fortification there.  The town was heavily damaged during Union shelling.  The battle took place shortly after Farragut had run past Port Hudson.

I am unable to find out anything else about it.

--Old B-R'er

March 27, 1863: USS Hartford Engages and Passes Confederate Batteries At Warrenton, Miss.

MARCH 27TH, 1863:  "The USS Hartford engaged and passed below the Confederate batteries being erected at Warrenton,, Mississippi.  Two days later, the USS Albatross joined Rear Admiral Farragut, having waited above the batteries to obtain further coal and provisions which had been floated down on barges from the fleet above Vicksburg.

The Noose Closing On Vicksburg.  --Old B-Runner

March 20, 1863-- Part 2: Farragut to Help Grant and Porter

Porter replied to Farragut:  "I would not attempt to run the batteries at Vicksburg if I were you; it won't pay, and you can be of no service up here at this moment.

"Your services at Red River will be a godsend; it is worth to us the loss of the [USS] Mississippi at this moment and it is the severest blow that could be struck at the South.  They obtain all their supplies and ammunition in that way."

Grant floated a coal barge down the river to Farragut, who steamed above Warrenton to meet this vital cargo.

Porter was referring to the loss of the USS Mississippi on March 14, 1863, during operations against Port Hudson.

--Old B-R'er