Monday, April 6, 2015

Steamer Harriet DeFord Seized by Confederate Guerrillas

APRIL 5TH, 1865:  The steamer Harriet DeFord was boarded and seized in Chesapeake Bay, 30 miles below Annapolis, Maryland by a party of 27 Confederate guerrillas led by Captain T. Fitzhugh.  A naval detachment under Lt.Cmdr. Edward Hooker was sent in pursuit and found the vessel trapped in Dimer's Creek, Virginia, burned to the water's edge.

A captive reported that a pilot had taken the steamer into the creek and that she went aground several times.  Some of the cargo was thrown overboard to lighten the ship and the remainder unloaded with the help of local farmers before the torch was put to it.

--Old B-Runner

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