150 Years Ago: November 5, 1863

NOVEMBER 5, 1863:

Ships of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron continue bombarding Fort Sumter in concert with Army batteries ashore on Morris Island. Dahlgren reports "The only original feature left is the northeast face where Union guns can't reach), the rest is a pile of rubbish."

**  The USS Virginia seized British bark Science and, with the USS Owasco, capture British brigs Volante and Dashing Wave at the mouth of the Rio Grande River. A big payday for the crews with all that prize money.

**  Union General Banks has been asking for more Navy gunboats to assist him in operations along rivers west of the Mississippi River. Rear Admiral Porter writes that more are preparing to go to him and that will give him 22 and even more will be on their way after the Confederates are cleared from the Tennessee River.

**  USS Beauregard seized British blockade runner Volante off Cape Canaveral, Florida.

--Old B-Runner