Friday, April 19, 2013

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 21st to 22nd, 1863

APRIL 21ST

Mallory wrote Commander Bullock:  "The recent repulse of the enemy before Charleston will show the world that we have not been idle with regard to ordnance and that the enemy's ironclads suffered severely."

Rear Admiral Dahlgren wrote in his private journal that Welles was not satisfied with Du Pont's efforts at Charleston and thought he gave up too soon.  Dahlgren defended Du Pont's actions. 

From what I read, Du Pont would have lost more ironclads had he continued the engagement.


Porter reconnoitered the Confederate defenses at Grand Gulf and found they were rapidly strengthening.


Confederate batteries at Vicksburg opened fire on Union Army steamers attempting a night time passage past the city.  One was sunk, one disabled, one badly damaged, but rest got through.


Farragut's fleet passed Port Hudson. He lost the USS Mississippi in the effort.  The smoke from the battle was so thick he had to send the pilots up the masts to see.


APRIL 22nd


The USS Mount Vernon captured the schooner St. George off New Inlet, NC, with cargo of salt and rum.

Farragut writes Fox about his ideas on the naval uniform of officers and wants them to stop changing the uniform every few weeks.

So, A Little House-Keeping.  --Old B-R'er

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