August 7, 1863: Maffitt Appointed Commander, CSN

AUGUST 7, 1863:

  Secretary Mallory sent Lieutenant John N. Maffitt his appointment as commander in the Confederate States Navy, effective 29 April 1863.  He congratulated the intrepid captain of the CSS Florida "and the officers and men under your command upon the brilliant success of your cruise, and I take occasion to express the entire confidence of the Department that all that the skill, courage, and coolness of a seaman can accomplish with the means at your command will be achieved."

The value of Maffitt's exploits in the CSS Florida, as well as those of Confederate captains in other commerce raiders was far greater than even the large number of merchant ships that were captured and destroyed, for their operations required the Union Navy to use many ships and men and expand huge sums of money in attempts to run them down that could otherwise have been diverted to the war effort along coastal waters and the rivers.

Not to mention chasing Northern-flagged shipping off the seas and a huge increase in insurance rates.

Congratulations John N. Maffitt.  --Old B-R'er