September 2-3, 1863: One of Those Small Operations You Don't Hear About, Peace Creek, Fla.

SEPTEMBER 2-3, 1863:  Boat expedition under Acting Ensign William H. Winslow and Acting Master's Mate Charles L. Edgcomb from the USS Gem of the Sea, Acting Lieutenant Baxter, reconnoitered Peace Creek, Florida.

The expedition was set in motion by Baxter because of "reliable information that there was a band of guerrillas, or regulators, as they style themselves, organizing in the vicinity of Peace Creek, with the intention of coming down the harbor [Charlotte Harbor] for the purpose of capturing the refugees on the islands in this vicinity and also the sloop Rosalie...."

The Union force destroyed buildings used used as a depot for blockade runners and a rendezvous for guerrillas as well as four small boats.

Baxter reported:  "I think this expedition will have a tendency to break up the blockade running and stop the regulators from coming down here to molest the refugees in this vicinity.

--Old B-Runner