Robert Blake, Black Medal of Honor Recipient-- Part 4: Sadly, Not Much is Known on the Rest of His Life

Blake was later promoted to seaman and re-enlisted in the Navy for another term.    During his second  enlistment, he served  again on the USS Vermont.

Sadly, nothing more is known about his life.

I looked him up on the Find A Grave site and they have an entry on him which says that his birth date, date of death and place of burial are all unknown.

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His Medal of Honor citation reads:  "On board the U.S. Steam Gunboat Marblehead off Legareville, Stono River, 25 December 1863, in an engagement with  the enemy on John's Island.  Serving the rifle gun, Blake, an escaped slave, carried out his duties bravely throughout the whole engagement which resulted in the enemy's  abandonment of positions, leaving  a caisson and one gun behind."

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--Old B-Runner

Robert Blake, Black Medal of Honor Recipient-- Part 3: "There Is No Hiding Space Here"

Blake then went to the ship's gun deck and was immediately knocked down by an exploding Confederate shell.  The explosion had killed a nearby powder-boy bringing powder and ammunition to a gun.  Blake, being a steward to his commander had not been assigned combat duty and could have retreated to the relative safety of the below decks area.

Instead, he stripped to the waist and began running powder boxes to the gun loaders.

When Lt. Cmdr. Meade asked him what he was doing, he replied:  "Went down to the rocks to hide my face, but the rocks said there is no hiding space here.  So here I am, Sir."

The Confederates eventually abandoned their position, leaving a gun behind.

Blake was awarded  the Medal of Honor four months later.

Quite an Accomplishment for a Former Slave.  --Old Secesh

Robert Blake, Black Medal of Honor Recipient-- Part 2: A Surprise on the Stono

Robert Blake was born into slavery  in Virginia.  He somehow ended up South Carolina.  In June 1862, his owner's plantation was burned during  a Union expedition  up the Santee River.  About 400 slaves from his plantation were taken aboard a Union ship as contraband.  They were sent to North Island in Winyah Bay, S.C..

While on North Island Blake answered the call for twenty single men to serve on the USS Vermont, an old U.S. ship of the line serving as a receiving ship at Port Royal, South Carolina.

By December 1863, he had been transferred to the USS Marblehead and was serving as a steward to Lt.Cmdr.  Richard Worsam Meade.  Early in the morning of December 25, while the Marblehead was cruising in the Stono River, the ship came under fire of a Confederate howitzer at Legareville on Johns Island.

Meade jumped from his bed and ran onto the quarterdeck to give the order to return fire, Blake followed him, handed him his uniform, and urged him to change out of his night clothes.

--Old B-Runner

Robert Blake, Black Medal of Honor Recipient-- Part 1

From the September 29, 2020, The Penn "End of the month brought historical events, landmarks to the U.S." by Heather Bair.

1864

Black soldier given Medal of Honor for first time.

Robert Blake served as a Union sailor during the Civil War and was the first Black to receive the Medal of Honor.  However, he was not the first black person to perform an action that would get him a Medal of Honor.  That honor belongs to William Harvey Carney, but he did not receive the medal until 1900.

During the Civil War, Robert Blake served aboard the USS Marblehead, where he served as a steward to Lieutenant Commander Richard Worsam Meade.

On Christmas Day 1863, a Confederate cannon opened fire on the Marblehead.  Not being a combatant, Blake could have retreated to aa place of more safety, but didn't.  He went onto the deck, where he was knocked off his feet by an exploding shell.  A powder boy had been killed by the explosion and Blake started doing his duties.

After receiving his Medal of Honor, Blake was promoted to seaman and enlisted for another tour of duty.

--Old B-Runner

USS Baltimore-- Part 3: Multi Service During the War

The Baltimore was seized by the Union Army on the Potomac River on April 21, 1861, and turned over to the Navy department where it was commissioned the same month with Lieutenant J.H. Russell in command.

During the Civil War, the Baltimore was used as an ordnance vessel between the Washington Navy Yard and  nearby ammunition depots.  She was also used to ferry Army troops across the Potomac River.

On 19 May 1861, she ran aground at the mouth of the Potomac and was attacked by a Confederate Navy ram.  Nine people were killed.  She was refloated with the assistance of the USS  Mount Vernon (was at both Battles of Fort Fisher).

After that, the Baltimore saw some service with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron as a dispatch and supply vessel.

On May 9, 1862, she transported President Abraham Lincoln and Secretaries  Edwin M. Stanton and Salmon P. Chase, from Fort Monroe to Norfolk, Virginia, to get a close up view of the  destroyed Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia.

The Baltimore was turned over to Norfolk Navy Yard on May 22, 1865, and sold on June  24, 1865, at Washington, D.C.

--Old B-Runner

USS Baltimore-- Part 2: Built in Philadelphia and Captured By U.S. Army on Potomac River in 1861

From Wikipedia.

Sidewheel steamer.

Launched 1848.  Acquired by capture  April 21, 1861.  Commissioned April 186.1 Decommissioned May 22, 1865.  Sold June 24, 1865.

500 tons 200 feet long, 26.8 foot beam

Armament  one 32-pounder smoothbore gun.

The Baltimore was built in 1848 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and captured on the Potomac River between Aquia Creek and Washington, D.C., by the U.S. Army on April 21, 1861.

--Old B-Runner

First Battle of Fort Fisher Ended Christmas Day 1864

Continued from today's entry in my Saw the Elephant blog.  Go to the My Blogs section by scrolling down to the right of this.

The next day, 23rd, and on Christmas Eve, 24th, the Union fleet, largest ever assembled by the U.S. until WW II, pounded the fort mercilessly, expending some 10,000 shells each day.  

On Christmas Day, the fleet moved a lot of its fire to the area north of the fort to prepare the way for the landing of Army troops.  They did come ashore only to determine that the fort was still, despite that three day bombardment, too strong to be taken.

Most of the troops reboarded their transports and left.  Several hundred were left on shore, but later gotten off safely.

The fleet returned in January and this time the joint Army-Navy assault succeeded, closing the Confederacy's last link with the outside world.  Lee surrendered less than three months later.

--Old B-Runner

The USS Baltimore-- Part 1: The Third Ship to Carry That Name in U.S. Navy

The ship that Abraham Lincoln went to and back from City Point, Va., was the USS Baltimore.  It was not one of the better known ships of the war.

From Wikipedia.

There were two other USS Baltimore's before the one that served during the Civil War.

The first one was a 12-gun brigantine that served in the Continental Navy from 1777 to 1780.

The second USS Baltimore was a 20-gun ship built in 1798.  Two British frigates impressed 55 of its crew members in 1798.

The USS Baltimore that carried President Lincoln in 1864 was the third ship with the name.

--Old B-R'er

Lincoln's 1864 City Point Trip-- Part 16: Another Soldier's Account of the President

Frank Johnson, a soldier with the 142nd New York Infantry Regiment (which took part at the Battles of Fort Fisher) witnessed the visit from Abraham Lincoln during the visit to Butler's troops at Bermuda Hundred and recollected in 1914:

"Lad that I was, the expression I then saw on his [Lincoln's] face has never left me.  Anxiety, pity, love, courage, and faith, were all depicted there, showing that he was a man of sorrow, and one carrying a heavy burden.

"When our boys raised up and gave him a real old St. Lawrence county cheer, his face lighted up, his eyes brightened, and I am sure his faith was strengthened that he would be permitted to bring his people out of the wilderness of war, and into the shining path of peace."

President Abraham Lincoln returned to City Point, Virginia, to confer with U.S. Grant in March of 1865, shortly before his death.

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's Trip-- Part 15: Return to Washington, D.C.

Gustavus Fox wrote:  "Our return back [to Washington] was smooth and pleasant and the President himself delighted."

It appears the Baltimore's return passage wasn't as speedy as the trip down.  City Point accounts have Lincoln departing late in the afternoon and Washington observers have him returning mid-to-late afternoon the next day, making the travel time roughly 22-24 hours.

Perhaps navigating on the Potomac after dark wasn't as safe as on the more open Chesapeake Bay on the way down, forcing the Baltimore to anchor for a couple hours near the river's mouth until it was light enough to proceed.

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's Trip-- Part 14: "Who Goes There?" "Abraham Lincoln"

As the large party approached the camp of the 130th Ohio, a sentry yelled out "Who goes there?"  A voice from the group answered "Abraham Lincoln."

For the rest of his life, that sentry, Fred Balmos was sure that it was Abraham Lincoln himself who answered.  He, needless to say, told the story often.

According to Dana Fox, the group, led by Gen. Butler, dined at a point on the Appomattox River called the Point of Rocks and afterwards, took a boat on the river and went to City Point where the president met with General Grant.

Grant didn't have much conclusive information for his president at this point of the campaign.  Horace Porter, years later, recalled Lincoln as saying:  I cannot pretend to advise, but I do sincerely hope that all may be accomplished with as little bloodshed as possible."

It turned out the rest of the operations outside weren't without some bloodshed, but at least it was not as bad as those casualties during the just-ended Overland Campaign.

The Guy Who Challenged Abe.  --Old B-Runner

Lincoln's 1864 City Point Trip-- Part 13: Further Observations 'Here's Old Abe, and Beast Butler'

Still riding through Gen. Butler's men on Bermuda Hundred, then came several artillery encampments.

**  A New Jersey gunner thought Lincoln "a very plain man."

**  A Connecticut artilleryman was surprised at how "awkward and even peculiar the President looked to us."

The sudden appearance of Lincoln's party caught the Connecticut battery sentry by surprise and he blurted out,  "Great God!  Turn out the guard!!  here's Old Abe, and Beast Butler."

So Even His Troops Called Him "Beast Butler."  --Old B-Runner

Lincoln's City Point Trip 1864-- Part 12: 'Burden of the War Upon His Shoulders'

Still writing about President Lincoln's meeting General Butler's troops at Bermuda Hundred during his trip to City Point, Virginia, to meet with General Grant.

Many of Butler's troops were the ones involved in the attacks on Fort Fisher, so that makes them of particular interest to me.

Some other observations of the President from the ranks:

**  "A tall gaunt sad man, he seemed to have the burden of the war upon his shoulders, as he stopped to speak to some of us, where we sat, shaking but trying to write home and tell the folks, once again, we are safe."

**  "...a very ordinary looking personage... he is a man  that cannot be judged by his looks."

**  Another soldier wrote that he an his companions "greeted the immortal President with enthusiastic cheers."

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's 1864 Trip to City Point-- Part 11: The Careworn, Troubled and Haggard President and the Hat Incident

Again, I am writing about what these soldiers had to say about Lincoln because their regiment participated at the Battle of Fort Fisher.

Two other soldiers who saw Lincoln that day noted the president appeared "careworn," while another added "even to haggardness" and the other "troubled."

The tall hat caused another incident when it was brushed off Lincoln's head by a  low-hanging tree branch.  "there were a dozen young officers whose duty it was to get it and give it back to the president," Asst. Sec. of the War Charles Dana remembered, "but Admiral Lee was off his horse before any of those young chaps, and recovered the hat for the President.  Admiral Lee must have been forty-five or fifty years old.  It was his agility that impressed me so much."

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's 1864 Trip to City Point, Va.-- Part 10: Like 'A Monitor's Turret Coming Overland'

President Lincoln then rode through the lines of Gen. Benjamin Butler's Army of the James at Bermuda Hundred.  Many of these soldiers took part in the two Battles of Fort Fisher, so I will write down some of their observations of their commander-in-chief.

One of the first camps they encountered was that of the 117th New York, where a soldier named John Humphrey recorded:  "Prisedent Lincen and Gen Buttler rode along the lines visiting the troops."  Another wrote his father the next day that there "is quite an object now for him to be familiar with the soldiers," probably referring to the upcoming elections in November as well as the huge losses Grant's Overland Campaign had experienced so fat in 1864.

Soldiers in the camp of the 7th Connecticut, another regiment that took part in the Fort Fisher Expeditions, had their fun when first spotting Lincoln toward them on his horse with his tall hat, joking that "it was a monitor's turret coming overland."

Especially if the mounted Lincoln was coming over the top of a hill and that was the first you saw of him.

That Top Hat Did Resemble a Monitor's Turret.  --Old B-Runner

The Day of Infamy 79 Years Ago: Remembering Pearl Harbor Survivor Wayne Rader

From the December 6, 2020, LimaOhio.com "Jim Krumel:  Remembering a Pearl Harbor survivor" by Jim Krumel.

Wayne Rader died twelve years ago.  He was just a regular guy who worked for the city of Lima  A dad, who with his wife Elsie, raised eight children in Lima.

He was also a Pearl Harbor survivor.  

For the longest time, he wouldn't talk about it.  It wasn't until a few years before his death in 2008, that he started talking about it.  When he did, his children wrote what he said down for posterity.

He was still a teenager when he entered the Army in March 1940.  Three months later he was assigned to  the 27th Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks on Oahu, Hawaii.  It was heaven to be stationed there until December 7, 1941, when it turned to hell.

Wayne Rader was on the second floor porch of the barracks listening for then bugler to sound church call when he saw the first two planes fly through the pass near Schofield Barracks.  He thought this to be an odd time for a training mission until he heard explosions coming from the area near Pearl Harbor.

Planes strafed Schofield Barracks on their way to Wheeler Field.

He remembered seeing rows and rows of body bags.

--Pearl Harbor

Fort Sumter Has Sharp Decline in Attendance-- Part 3: Of History, Statues and Murders

South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union in 1860 and was one of the founding members of the Confederacy.  The attack on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, was the first major engagement of the Civil War.  Many battles were fought in the Palmetto State and monuments and memorials are located in many towns and cities.

Notably, the Confederate Defenders statue at the Battery in downtown  Charleston that faces Fort Sumter was spray-painted and vandalized (hate crime)  during the protests this summer and has often been the focal point between BLMers and counter protesters.

Fort Sumter spokesperson Dawn Davis says it is impossible to know for certain  if the people are not visiting because of its ties to the Confederacy, but encourages people to come out and learn about the fort and engage with park rangers.

Fort Sumter has addressed the site's Confederate past before.  

Following the murders of the nine black parishioners at the Emmanuel AME Church  in 2015, only the current 50-star U.S. flag flies above the fort.

Additionally, the Park Service issued a directive removing Confederate flag items such as banners, belt buckles and other souvenirs from the gifts shops.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Sumter Has Sharp Decline in Attendance-- Part 2: Closures, Reductions and Rioting

The main decrease in attendance, however, is directly linked to the closure of the site for four months because of the pandemic.  Fort Sumter and other National Parks in South Carolina were closed on March  18 and Fort Sumter didn't reopen  to guests until the beginning of June.

The only way to get to Fort Sumter is by the boat shuttles which had their trips cut back to five trips a day with 142 visitors because of social distancing.  The boat company doing this, Spirit Line Cruises, has an exclusive deal with the NPS to provide the trips to the fort.  They have installed hand sanitizing stations on their ships and boarding areas.

But, another problem causing the attendance drops would be the racial unrest, riots, burnings and attacks on Confederate monuments stemming from the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.  The so-called "Woke" movement.

Downtown Charleston has been the scene of numerous confrontations and a destructive night of rioting with vandalism in late May.

--Old B-R'er

Fort Sumter Has Sharp Decline in Visitors During the Pandemic and Racial Problems-- Part 1

From the November 28, 2020, Charleston (S.C.)  Post and Courier  "Fort Sumter sees sharp decline in visitors amid COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice year" by Thomas Novelly.

Fort Sumter National Monument has seen a huge decline in visitors compared to last year partly due to the coronavirus but also  because of the situation with Confederate monuments and racial equality.

Monthly visits are down 60% this year compared to the same time frame last year according to data from the National Park Service (NPS).

Between January and  September 2019,  more than 700,000 visitors came to the site at the mouth of Charleston Harbor which is considered to be where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.

Between January and September this year, that number has dropped to  a little more than 270,000.  The NPS counts the number of visitors as the  visits to both Fort Sumter as well as Fort Moultrie and Liberty Square.  Liberty Square contains the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center.

I'm sure there are more people going to the latter two because they can be reached by land nd Fort Sumter requires a boat trip at about $21 apiece.

--B-Runner

To City Point and Bermuda Hundred-- Part 9: The Crow's Nest and Greeting

After a quick greeting with some of the Malvern's officers, the president "accompanied by Ass't Secretary Fox and A.R. Admiral Lee landed at Lookout Tree Landing."  The landing was just below where a Union lookout tower nicknamed "The Crow's Nest" would later be built.  Once up the slope, the group took horses and rode across Gen. Butler's lines. 

There is a picture of the Crow's Nest in the distance behind the monitor USS Mahopac in the James River.  The Mahopac would later take part in the attacks on Fort Fisher. (See picture to the right of this.)

The troops the party encountered were almost entirely from Butlers X Corps.  And, unlike the day before, Lincoln's visit was anticipated.  The soldiers turned out to see their commander in chief.

One Connecticut soldier, likely from the 6th or 7th Connecticut (who later took part in the Second Battle of Fort Fisher) wrote: "We were apprised that our worthy President, Abraham Lincoln, was near us and all that were not engaged on duty were ordered to appear near the regimental quarters and render a proper salute."

All That Fort Fisher Connection.  Yes!!  --Old B-Runner

Lincoln's 1864 Trip to City Point-- Part 8: Visiting the USS Onondaga and Within Range of a Rebel Battery

It is probable that there was a delay at this point while the Deep Bottom pontoon bridge was opened to permit river traffic.  

Once aboard the president's vessel, the USS Baltimore, Admiral Lee came on board and was greeted by Lincoln and Butler.  Then, the Baltimore, followed by the Agawam, steamed upriver toward Trent's Reach.  Fox noted that the men on ships they passed cheered the president.

Just before reaching the Malvern, the Baltimore drew up alongside one of the more technologically-advance monitors in the Union fleet, the double-turreted, iron-hulled USS Onondaga.

Lincoln made a brief visit to this ship (as he was always interested in anything dealing with new and improved technology).  The ship's deck officer recorded  that the president "visited" the vessel.

Then it was back to the USS Baltimore and on to the Malvern where they arrived about 10:30 am.  This put the Lincoln party well within range of a powerful Rebel battery not two miles distant.  Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox wondered why "they did not open fire."

Probably Didn't Know the President Was Aboard.  --Old B-Runner

Lincoln's 1864 Trip to City Point-- Part 7: Travel Plans Abound

The President at lunch at City Point which was described as "plain and simple" but plentiful.  Young Tad Lincoln, who had accompanied his father, was resplendent in his custom military uniform and was the center of attention.  His father told stories much of the time and shook a lot of hands.

About 3 pm, the group departed from City Point with the president riding one of Grant's favorite horses named Cincinnatus, while Tad rode a black pony named Jeff Davis.  They rode about an hour to reach the VI Corps headquarters where most of the generals of the Army of the Potomac were gathered.

The president never asked and said he did not want to know Grant's plans.  Lincoln then visited an observation point where he could see the steeples of Petersburg in the distance.

Grant alerted Benjamin Butler that the president would visit on June 22 and that he would accompany him, but fighting at the front kept him from doing so.

On June 22, Butler and his staff rode their horses to the Point of Rocks where they took Butler's steamer, the Greyhound, to meet Lincoln.  Admiral Lee left his flagship, the Malvern, anchored near Trent's Reach on the James River and transferred to the smaller gunboat USS Agawam.  They steamed slowly to the president's vessel, the USS Baltimore.

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's Trip to City Point, 1864-- Part 6: Meeting With Butler and Lee

At the time of Lincoln's visit to City Point, it was becoming apparent that the general's effort to take Petersburg quickly was going to end up as a siege and so the general was quite busy overseeing this so he couldn't devote full time to entertaining the President.  As such, his staff stepped in and plans were made for other visits with high ranking officers and the troops.

General Benjamin Butler, commander of the Army of the James,  and Acting Vice Admiral Samuel P. Lee, commander of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, were informed that Lincoln would be visiting them as well.

A picture of S.P. Lee accompanied the article and a quick glance of it made me think I was looking at Confederate General Robert E. Lee.  And, of course, there was the name.  Could Robert and Samuel be related?

Turns out, S.P. Lee was a third cousin to Robert E. Lee.

Another indicator of how divisive the war was.  here are cousins fighting on opposite sides.  And, S.P. Lee was born in Virginia, but chose to fight for the Union.

Small World.

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's Trip to City Point to Visit Grant-- Part 6: Doffing Caps to the 'Boss Undertaker'

According to reporters, Lincoln "was greeted pleasantly by the Lieutenant General who shook hands with him, and the several gentlemen of the staff happening to be present, who merely, but decorously, saluted the President by raising their caps."

One of those staff present was Lt. Col. Horace Porter, who wrote his wife that Lincoln was "dressed all in black, and looking very much like like a boss undertaker."

He described part of the conversation between Grant and Lincoln thusly:  Lincoln:  "I just thought I would jump aboard a boat and come down to see you.  I don't expect I can do any good, and in fact I'm afraid I may do harm, but I'll put myself under your orders and if you find me doing anything wrong just send me away.

To which, Grant responded that "he would certainly do that."

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's Trip to City Point-- Part 5: The Sentry

Reporters at the scene said that Abraham Lincoln had tried to reach Grant's headquarters "by scrambling through a hedgerow and coming in the back way alone."

There, he was confronted by "the sentinel stationed at the south gate of the enclosure [who] challenged the Chief Magistrate, ... disputing the President's further progress. 

"A captain upon [Grant's] staff passing, and recognized the stranger, set the matter right, and conducted the President to the Lieutenant General's tent."

I can hear it now, "Halt, who goes there?"  "Your President Abe."  But, you'd think that by this late date the sentry might have recognized the man.  Wonder if he leveled his rifle?

Just Doing His Job, That Sentry.  --Old B-Runner

Lincoln's Trip to City Point 1864-- Part 4: The Voyage and Arrival

Despite Gideon Welles' opposition, around 1 pm on June 20, 1864, the USS Baltimore steamed away from Washington, D.C. with President Lincoln aboard and it was a pleasurable cruise of about 20 hours to City Point.

There were no stops and it happened to fall on a full moon period, allowing the Baltimore to steam along the Chesapeake Bay coast after sunset and through the night.

City Point at the time of Lincoln's arrival was in the middle of a dramatic transformation.  Before the war, it had been Petersburg's main port to the world as deep draft ocean-going vessels could go that far.  However, once the Union Navy controlled Hampton Roads, City Point withered.

Union forces had taken it over in May when Butler launched his campaign.  But now, it was Grant's headquarters and te main supply depot for operations.  Supplies and ordnance flooded into City Point.  The James River was a huge mass of vessels.

The USS Baltimore, with no cargo to unload and its special passenger unannounced, probably halted off shore to allow the president to board a rowboat at about 9 am on June 21.  When he came ashore, there would be more chaos and activity as construction was everywhere.

The presidential party would probably have headed up the nearest road (modern Pecan Avenue) leading to Grant's headquarters on the bluff.

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's Trip to City Point-- Part 3: Not So Secret and Welles Not Happy

Lincoln's trip to visit Grant was to be as secretive as possible.  It was probably June 18 or 19 when Lincoln decided to go.  He called on his go-to man or nautical matters, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Gustavus V. Fox to make the arrangements.

Fox secured the USS Baltimore, a capture Confederate sidewheel steamer that had been pressed into Navy service for carrying everything from supplies to personnel.  Lincoln already was familiar with this ship, having been ferried to Hampton Roads in 1862, not long after the battle between the CSS Virginia and USS Monitor.

Lincoln asked Fox to accompany him and the President also brought along his son Tad.

Great pains were taken to keep this secret, but the editor of Washington, D.C.'s Daily National Republican found out about it, but kept quite  as per Lincoln's request.

When Fox's boss, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, found out about it, h was not happy, believing Fox had "favored and encouraged the President in this step....  It has been my policy to discourage the President in these excursions."

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's Trip to City Point, Va. in 1864-- Part 2

The ships involved with the trip were the USS Baltimore (which I hadn't written about before), the Greyhound (Butler's ship), USS Malvern (Admiral Lee's flagship), the USS Agawam and the monitor USS Onondaga (a double turreted ship).

President Lincoln traveled in great secrecy from Washington, D.C. om the USS Baltimore which was his headquarters during the trip.

I had never written anything about this ship before now.

As such, I'll see what I can find out about it.

--Old B-Runner

Lincoln's Trip to City Point-- Part 1

From the Summer Civil War Monitor "Mission to the James" by Noah Andre Trudeau.

Unlike most Union Army commanders before him, when U.S. Grant was stopped by Robert E. Lee, he would side step and continue fighting elsewhere, always drawing closer to his target, Richmond and continuing to wear down the Army of Northern Virginia.

But, it came at a huge cost at the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor.  Now, Grant was going to capture Petersburg in the next step of his Overland Campaign.  It was at this time that President Abraham Lincoln chose to visit his commander at City Point, Virginia, but not to discuss strategy with him, but more to show Grant his continued support.

This was an interesting article, but I, of course, was mostly interested in the naval aspect of it.

There were ships that I've written about and one that I hadn't involved with this meeting as well as General Benjamin Butler and Admiral Samuel P. Lee.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Among N.C. State Historic Sites Now Charging for Guided Tours

From the October 5, 2020, Wilmington (NC) Star-News by Hunter Ingram.

To get a guided tour of some of the state's most popular tourist attractions, guests will now have to shell out a few bucks.

Starting October 15, 2020, The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources which oversees the state's Historic Sites, will charge a nominal fee for tours at 18 of its 27 sites across the state, including Fort Fisher and Brunswick/Fort Anderson sites near Wilmington.  The fees will be $2 for adults and $1 for seniors and children 5-12 and free for  children under five.

This only applies to guided tours.  Access to the site and visitor centers still remains free at the sites where they are currently free.

I've been on several Fort Fisher tours and they are well worth much more than $2.

And, of course, it all goes for a good cause.

A Good Deal.  --Old B-Runner

Veterans Day 2020: 101-Year-Old Navy Veteran Remembers Survival from USS Princeton

From the November 10, 2020, Coloradan '101-year-old Fort Collins veteran remembers  escape from ill-fated World War II aircraft carrier' by Kevin Dugan.

Al Oesterle left the U.S. Navy in 1965 after a long career.  He is extremely proud of his service, as is his family.  But they did not know about one particular harrowing experience Al had until 40 years after it happened.

It was during a 1984 reunion of crew members who served on the USS Princeton (CL-23), a light aircraft carrier that was lost during the Battle of Leyte Gulf that his wife learned that he may have been the last man to leave the ship before it went down.

Al Oesterle grew up in Joliet, Illinois, and joined the Navy in 1939 at age 20 and also  attended the University of Illinois Dental School.  He graduated in 1942 and joined the U.S. Navy Dental Corps.  After further training, he joined the crew of the USS Princeton.

The Princeton was sent to the Pacific Theater.  On October  24, 1944,  east of the island of Luzon, a lone Japanese kamikaze emerged from overcast skies and dropped a bomb on the Princeton that penetrated the flight deck and exploded in a  hanger bay where planes were being armed with bombs and refueled.

The Worst Time and Worst Place for an Aircraft Carrier to Get Hit.  --Old B-Runner

The Five Sorties of the CSS Virginia

From Civil War Talk "C.S.S. Virginia"

Of course, her two most famous sorties were against the Union fleet on March 8 and the next day, March 9, 1862, which resulted in the battle with the USS Monitor.

But, altogether, she made five sorties against the enemy:

MARCH 8, 1862

Maiden voyage.  Engagement with USS Cumberland and USS Congress.

MARCH 9, 1862

Engagement with USS Monitor in Hampton Roads.

APRIL 11, 1862

The Virginia enters Hampton Roads.  Federal transports flee the harbor to the protection of Fort Monroe.  The USS Monitor stays in the channel, but does not accept the Virginia's challenge.

MAY 8, 1862

The CSS Virginia steams down the Elizabeth River from Gosport Navy Yard to  contest the Union advance and stays out of Hampton Roads hoping to engage the USS Monitor.

MAY 11, 1862

Attempting to escape up the James River, after Gosport is captured by the Union Army,  the Virginia can't be made light enough to travel  as far as planned up the shallow part of the river.  Trapped with no escape, the ship is scuttled, and fired, causing a great explosion, destroying the ship.

So, From Maiden Voyage to Destruction, Her Career Was Just Over Two Months.  --Old B-Runner

The 'Frank' Question for the Day, 'Who Was Cmdr. Maxwell Woodhull, USN?'

Even though this was a naval question, I wrote about it in my Saw the Elephant: Civil War blog.

Out McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group is often regaled with the "Frank Questions" from member Frank Crawford.  These are Very Hard Questions indeed, usually regarded an individual that most have never heard of before.

See the question and answer in today's Saw the Elephant blog

Let's just say, the poor guy met with an untimely and unfortunate end.

You can also find out more about him by clicking on the Maxwell Woodhull label below.  I should have known who he was because I have written about him, but didn't.

What Goes First As You Age?  --Old B-Runner

Confederate Navy Officers: Joseph W. Alexander

Born in North Carolina, Appointed from North Carolina

Formerly lieutenant U.S. Navy.

First lieutenant , October 23, 1862, to rank from October 2, 1862.

First lieutenant Provisional Navy, June 2, 1864, to date from January 6, 1864.

*******************

SERVED ON:

CSS Virginia, 1861

Commanding CSS Raleigh in Battle of Hampton Roads, March 8-9, 1862.

CSS Atlanta, 1862.  Captured by the USS Weehawken, June 17, 1863.

CSS Virginia (No. 2); detached December 19.  Ordered to command CSS Beaufort.

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Naval Officers: Joseph Fry

From the Naval War Records:  Confederate Naval Officers.

Born in Florida.  Appointed from Florida.

Resigned as lieutenant U.S. Navy, February 1, 1861.

First Lieutenant   March 26, 1861

First lieutenant October 23, 1862, to rank from October 2, 1862.

First lieutenant Provisional Navy, June 2, 1864 to rank from January 6, 1864

Served on CSS Ivy 1862, CSS Maurepas, Mississippi River, 1862.  Wounded

Special Service 1863-64

Surrendered May 4, 1865, Mobile, Alabama; paroled May 10, 1865.

Killed November 7, 1873, at Santiago, Cuba.

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Naval Officers: George A. Foote

From the Naval War Records:  Officers in the Confederate States Navy, 1898.

Born in North Carolina,  Appointed from North Carolina.

Assistant Surgeon for war March 11, 1862

Assistant Surgeon for War January 7, 1864

Assistant Surgeon Provisional Navy June 2, 1864

Served on the CSS Raleigh 1863-64

Served CSS Albemarle 1864

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Naval Officers: Joseph M. Gardner

From Naval War records:  Confederate States Naval Officers.

Born in Virginia.  Appointed from Virginia.

Resigned as acting midshipman, U.S. Navy, April 23, 1861.

Acting midshipman, July 8, 1861.

Second lieutenant , January 7, 1864, to rank from September 22, 1863.

"Promoted for gallant  and meritorious service conduct in the capture of  U.S. gunboats Satellite and Reliance in Rappahannock River, August 23, 1863."

First lieutenant Provisional Navy, June 2, 1864, to rank from January  6, 1864.

**********************************

Served on CSS Raleigh March 4, 1862.  CSS Gaines , 1862-1863.

Participated in Johnson's Island expedition, 1863.

Special Service 1863-1864.

CSS Tallahassee, 1864

CSS Fredericksburg, 1864

Commanding CSS Beaufort, 1864

--Old B-Runner

Other Civil War Items Discovered in SC and Elsewhere Recently

From the same source as previous post.

Last year, two Civil War shells were found in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian at Folly Beach, near Charleston.

A Civil War-era grave was found  in a Kansas forest that is linked to  the infamous Quantrill's Raid.

In 2019, a cannonball was found lodged in  a walnut tree  at a historic house in Independence, Missouri.

Earlier in the year, archaeologists in Delaware located the gravestone  of a Civil War soldier that may provide a vital clue in recovering a long-lost black cemetery.

In 2018, the remains of two Civil War soldiers was discovered in a surgeon's burial pit at Manassas National Battlefield Park in Virginia.

In 2018, a vacationer  on a North Carolina beach captured drone footage of a Civil War-era shipwreck.

In 2017, forensic linguists  said they had likely unraveled the mystery surrounding a letter long-believed to have been written by President Abraham Lincoln.

In 2015, the remains of a Confederate warship, the CSS Georgia, were raised from the Savannah River in Georgia.

The following year, the wreck of a iron-hulled Civil War-era steamer  was discovered off the coast of North Carolina.  This ship, tentatively identified as the blockade runner Agnes E. Fry, was discovered off Oak Island.

Always Great When Lost Is Found.  --Old B-Runner

Civil War Artillery Shell Discovered in Downtown Charleston

From the February 7, 2020 Fox News.

Am artillery shell was discovered this past week in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.  It was found by a construction crew at Gillian Street, which is in the heart of the historic district.  Roads were closed for two hours in the area while  a U.S. Air Force Explosive Ordnance team removed the shell.

They exploded the shell elsewhere.

An important Confederate port during the war, the city underwent a lengthy siege by Union forces before surrendering in 1865.

Many comments concerning this, with a lot of people wishing that instead of exploding the shell, it should have been made inert and given to a museum.

Others said they could have called it a Confederate monument and let BLM or antifa take care of it.

Very Funny.  --Old B-Runner

The North Carolina Floating Battery Sunk by a Confederate Torpedo

Same source as the last post.

FLOATING BATTERY

Length 20 feet, beam 20 feet, height 8 feet, armor 1.5 foot iron, with six inch oak on two sides.  Armed with six guns on three sides.

Anchored eight miles above Plymouth on the Roanoke River in 2.5-3 fathoms with 2-3 foot of casemate above water.

Was sunk by a floating Confederate torpedo and burned on April 8, 1865, by a launch from the USS Iosco and a cutter from the USS Mattabesett.

Located at Gray's Fisher.  Was removed in 1873 under a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

--Old B-Runner

CSS Marion One of Five Confederate Ships Sunk by Mines

From Civil War Talk  "Vessels sunk by mines (torpedoes) during ACW."

When you think of ships being sunk by torpedoes during the war, you naturally think most often they were Union ships.  But, this forum entry gave the names of five Confederate ships which also met a similar fate:

CSS Etiwan

CSS Marion

CSS A.H. Schultz

William Allison

and a floating battery in North Carolina on the Roanoke River

--Old B-Runner

CSS Marion Sunk By Torpedo in Charleston Harbor-- Part 2

Continued from October 22.

The Marion sank after drifting onto a torpedo it had previously placed, and the bottom of her hull was blown out.

The Marion sank in just thirty seconds on the night of April 6, 1863, off Charleston in 30 feet of water at the mouth of the Ashley River neat the  mouth of Wappoo Creek.

Captain John Floyer was killed, and the ship's machinery destroyed.

--Old B-Runner

Henry Walton Grinnell Was Buried at ANC

In researching this man, I read that he had been buried at Arlington Cemetery, which, of course, led me to think Arlington National Cemetery, but when I went to that site, I couldn't find his name, so maybe it was another Arlington cemetery somewhere else.

Then, in the last post, I actually saw the words National Cemetery at Arlington.  But, again, I went to the site and couldn't find his name.

I finally went to my old standby for where folks are buried, Find A Grave, and typed in Arlington National Cemetery.  Once there, I typed in his name...and there he was.

He is listed

LIEUT HENRY WALTON GRINNELL

BIRTH: 19 Nov 1843

DEATH:  2 Sep 1920 (age 76)

BURIAL:  Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia   Section 3, Site 4202

So, He Was.  --Old B-Runner

Henry Walton Grinnell, Even More-- Part 2: The Mikado's 'Yankee Admiral'

Catholic Builders of the Nation (1923)  says that he was a convert to the Catholic Church and that he was buried in the National Cemetery at Arlington.

*************************************

"Catalog of Alpha Delta Phi Society" says he was a member of that from Manhattan in 1863.

*************************************

In "Lincoln's Bold Lion:  The Life and Times of Martin Davis Hardin" (2015) says that among the general's social circle in St. Augustine, Florida, was Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, the hero of the naval battle of Santiago in the Spanish-American War and one Henry Walton Grinnell.

The book described Grinnell as "probably one of the most colorful of Hardin's military coterie in St. Augustine."  Furthermore Grinnell was "famed as the Mikado's 'Yankee Admiral' for his service aboard a Japanese battleship during the 1895 Battle of Yalu  in the Sino-Japanese War, which ended in the destruction of  the antiquated Chinese  armada.

"The scion of a wealthy family had also served with Admiral David Farragut during the 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay.  In 1904, the old sailor married a young lady  less than half his age."

***************************************

The Official U.S. Navy Register for September 1867 shows Grinnell as serving on board the USS Oneida.

***************************************

Served as an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of Chrysostom P. Donahue.  (I haven't been able to find out anything else about this man.)

--Old B-Runner

Lt. Cmdr. George W. Young, USN

Continued from March 3, 2020.

In the last post, I mentioned his name and he was in charge of the naval cleanup operations on the Cape Fear River after the fall of Wilmington on February 22, 1865.

I haven't been able to find out too much more about him.

I saw that he was in command of the USS Maratanza  at both battles of Fort Fisher.

*******************************************

From U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Officer 1790-1900.

Midshipman  19 October 1941

Passed Midshipman  10 August 1847

Master  14 September 1855

Lieutenant  15 September 1855

Lieutenant Commander  16 July 1862

Commander  25 July 1866

Died 30 August 1867

--Old B-Runner

Henry Walton Grinnell: Even More-- Part 1: About That Wilmington Expedition

From the "Howland Heirs:  Being a Story of a Family and a Fortune"  Published 1919.

Some more on Mr. Grinnell.  Until this year, I had never heard of him, but, he definitely lived an interesting life.

This short account of his life includes him receiving "honorable mention from the Navy Department for carrying dispatches from his ship through the Confederate line, undercover of darkness."  This is the very first of my many posts about this man and what started this thread.  This is the first I've come across that story since then.

This is when he delivered dispatches from the Union forces in Wilmington, North Carolina to William T. Sherman's Army at Fayetteville, North Carolina, and it was through enemy lines.  A very daring attempt.

It also says he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 23, 1862, and became a mate and within the same year raised to the rank of acting ensign.  Two years later, he was master of his own ship.

As far as his service in the Japanese Navy, it says he "helped build up the Navy which subsequently riddle the Russian fleet.  This would be the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.  He also was a reason japan was able to so soundly defeat the Chinese fleet in the Sino-Japanese War.

When the book was written, Grinnell was residing in St,. Augustine, Florida.  He had two wives.  The first was Louisa I. Platt, whom he married in 1874.  The second was Florence G. Roche, who he married in 1910.  She was the daughter of poet James Jeffrey Roche.

--Old B-Runner

That Darn Cat-- Part 4: A Great Story Regardless

Continued from March 10 post.  To see the first three posts, click on the cats label below.

The Daily Press reports that David Albert, superintendent of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, hopes the cannons will be ready for display within two or three years; 13 News Now, however, cites an estimate suggesting closer to ten years.

The Monitor's turret sank upside down, filling the cannons with coal from the engine.  So when  conservators began boring into the cannon barrels last week, the majority of the materials recovered were black water and chunks of coal-colored marine concretions.

A preliminary search of the cannon barrels in 2005 showed no sign of cat  remains, and last week's borings yielded a similar  result.  The only artifact found of interest so far is a single metal bolt.

Laurie King, an assistant conservator at the museum says she loves the cat story, regardless of its veracity.

"Even if it turns out to be not true, I really like Butts and the fact that he had such an imagination, and felt like, 'No one's going to know the difference," says King.  "I don't think he ever would have imagined that we could bring it up a hundred and fifty years later.  It's wonderful to be able to do this archaeology to confirm or deny  stories and oral histories that have been passed down for generations."

--Old B-Runner

CSS Marion Sunk By a Torpedo in Charleston Harbor-- Part 1: Blown Up By Torpedo It Had Placed in Harbor

On May 1, I wrote about Major John Johnson's corrections from his book on "The Defense of Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter and Adjacent Islands."

One of the corrections dealt with the sinking of the Confederate transport Marion where he said "The Confederate transport Marion was sunk by a torpedo while placing them in the Ashley River (Charleston Harbor) on April 6, 1863."

From "The Encyclopedia of Civil War Shipwrecks" by W. Craig Gaines.

CSS MARION

Confederate.  Sidewheel transport steamer, 258 tons.  Length 132 feet, beam 30 feet, depth 7 feet 2 inches.

Built in 1850 in Charleston, S.C.

Drifted onto a torpedo it had earlier positioned, and the bottom of its hull blew out.

Oops.  Kind of Embarrassing To Get Blown Up By Your Own Torpedo.   --Old B-Runner

A Black Woman from Norfolk Stole Plans for CSS Virginia for the Union

From the February 24, 2020, Virginia-Pilot "A black woman from Norfolk stole Confederate ship plans for the Union" by Katherine Haffner.

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles long remembered the service Mary Louvestre "rendered  under extreme peril in the winter 1861-'62."

At the time, the Confederacy was building an ironclad, the CSS Virginia, out of the the former USS Merrimack.  Confederates were very careful about keeping this secret.  The Union was extremely anxious to get information on it.

"It was whilst we were in this state of anxiety, with but vague  and indefinite information, that this colored woman, Mary (Louvestre), came to the Navy Department and requested to see me alone," Welles wrote a decade later.

Louvestre, of Norfolk, brought him a paper  written by a mechanic who was working on the Virginia.  Her information corroborated other information they had on the ship's progress.

Welles now knew that he had to complete the USS Monitor as soon as possible.

Welles wrote in his letter that he'd always remember Mary Louvestre's "zeal and fidelity."  Very little else is known about her, even the correct spelling of her name.

--Old B-Runner

Raleigh Cannons Now at Fort Fisher

 From the June 29, 2020, Wilmington (NC) Star-News  "Confederate cannons removed from Raleigh now at Fort Fisher" by Hunter Ingram.

These were removed from the North Carolina State Capitol grounds by orders of Governor Roy Cooper after they were vandalized (hate crime), earlier in June.  The 1895 monument to Confederate military was built in 1895.

The two cannons are now at Fort Fisher and are on display by the fort's mounds where they will remain.  (See picture)

Fort Fisher is ramping up for a new $23 million visitors center and grounds which will greatly provide opportunity to display these cannons.

We can always use more cannons.  Definitely could have used more cannons on January 15, 1865.

Raleigh's Loss Is Fort Fisher's Gain.  --Old B-Runner

Some More on Henry Walton Grinnell-- Part 2: Service With Japan, Ecuador and Spanish-American War

Now in the service of Japan, Grinnell was almost immediately appointed inspector-general of the Navy and given the rank of rear-admiral where he served in that capacity from 1868-1870.

In 1872-1873, he was naval advisor to the South American Republic of Ecuador.  He was still serving Japan as well, but also made various trips back to the United States.  His efforts resulted in well-trained Japanese sailors who defeated China in the Sino-Japanese War where he saw active service at the Battle of Yalu, the decisive naval battle of the conflict.

After the war, he was honorably discharged as a vice-admiral and received a substantial gratuity.

Returning to his homeland, he found the United States at war with Spain and reentered the U.S. Navy as a volunteer lieutenant. and served on the USS Iowa until peace was declared.

Thereafter, he lived in retirement in Puntarassa, Florida, (by Fort Myers) and Boston.

He died in St. Augustine, Florida, and is buried at Arlington.  (I don't know if this is Arlington National Cemetery or some other cemetery named Arlington.)

--Old B-Runner

Some More on Henry Walton Grinnell-- Part 1: Distinguished Service in U.S. Navy During the War, Then, On to the Japanese Navy

From prabook.

Was born in New York on November 19, 1943.  He spent three years (1858-1861) at the New York Free Academy (later the College of the City of New York) and then entered the U.S. Navy where he was appointed a mate in June 1862.  Then acting ensign in November 1862 and acting master 1864 and acting volunteer lieutenant in 1865.

While on board the USS Monongahela in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, he took part in the Battles of New Orleans and Mobile.  On November 18,1863, he distinguished himself while commanding a landing party that helped army units ashore.

After the war, while serving on the USS Susquehanna of the Asiatic Squadron, he declined appointment as an ensign in the regular navy and was honorably discharged July 25, 1868.

He accepted instead, a commission as a captain in the Imperial Japanese Navy and began training seamen at the Heigo Naval School.

--Old B-Runner

Henry Walton Grinnell-- Part 5: Imperial Japanese Navy and Spanish-American War

In the China-Japanese War he saw active service in the Battle of Yalu River, the decisive naval engagement of that war.  When he was honorably discharged at the end of the war, as vice admiral, he received a substantial gratuity.

He was married  in 1874, in Sydney, Australia, to  Louise I.S. Pratt.  He married his second wife in June 1910, Florence G. Roche, of Boston, Massachusetts.

Returning to the United States he found his country at war with Spain and re-entered the Navy as a volunteer lieutenant and served on the USS Iowa until peace was declared.

Thereafter, he lived in retirement in Puntarassa, Florida, and Boston.

He died in St. Augustine, Florida, and is buried at Arlington.

--Old B-Runner

Henry Walton Grinnell-- Part 4: In the Japanese Imperial Navy and Adviser to Ecuador's Navy

After the war, he served on the USS Susquehanna of the Asiatic Squadron, where he declined appointment as an ensign in the regular U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged July 25, 1868.

He accepted instead, a commission as a captain in the Imperial Japanese Navy and began to train seamen at the Heigo Naval School.  Almost immediately, he was appointed Inspector General with the rank of rear admiral and served in that capacity from 1868-1870.

In 1872-1873, he was naval adviser to the Republic of Ecuador.  During the following years, although he did not devote his entire attention to the Japanese Navy as his many trips to the United States show,  he retained his commission and helped to develop the seamanship that defeated China in  the war.

--Old B-Runner

Henry Walton Grinnell-- Part 3: Served on USS Monongahela

From PraBook.

Henry Walton Grinnell was born  in New York on November 19, 1843, the son of Henry and Sarah Minturn Grinnell.

He spent three years at (1858-1861) at the New York Free Academy (later  the College of the City of Nerw York).

After the three years there, he entered the U.S. Navy.  Appointed Mate June 1862;  acting ensign November 1862; acting master 1864; and acting volunteer lieutenant , 1865.

On board the USS Monongahela of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, he took part in the Battles of New Orleans and Mobile Bay.  On November 18, 1863, he distinguished himself by his command of a landing party which materially aided the army.

--Old B-Runner

You Can Now Cruise the Delaware River to View Historic Forts Along the New Jersey Coast

From the September 7, 2020, NJ.com.

Fort Delaware State Park will start offering Delaware River cruises starting this Friday, September 11.

Fort Delaware, which is on Pea Patch Island  is in the middle of the river, about half way between Fort DuPont in Delaware and Fort Mott in Pennsville, New Jersey.  Fort Delaware once house Confederate prisoners during the Civil War.

Friday cruises are slated for Sept. 11, 18 and 25, include one-hour trips at 4:30 and 5:45 pm for $15 and 90-minute sunset tours at 7 pm for $25.

The cruises depart the Fort Delaware ticket office in Delaware City, travel around the southern end of Pea Patch Island and head toward Fort Mott before returning.  Two park staffers will be on board to highlight points of interest along the way.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, a maximum of 24 visitors will be allowed on board to ensure social distancing and masks are required.

Well, too late for this year.  Maybe next year.

--Old B-Runner

Henry Walton Grinnell-- Part 2: Veteran of Civil War, Spanish-American War and the Japanese Navy

From Wikipedia.

November 19, 1843-September 2, 1920.    Known as Walton Grinnell.  Naval veteran of Civil War and Spanish-American War.

He became a rear admiral  and Inspector-General of the Imperial Japanese Navy and served at the Battle of Yalu River in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895.

Walter Grinnell's older sister,  Sylvia, born in 181830, married William Fitzherbert Ruxton, who became an admiral in the British Navy.

Their father, Henry Grinnell, was partner in Grinnell, Minturn & Co.  owners of the Swallowtail  shipping line which included  the Flying Cloud in 1851, the fastest clipper ship in the world.  He financed an expedition to discover the fate of Sir John Franklin who was lost searching for the Northwest Passage and Grinnell Peninsula on Devon Island is named after him.

--Old B-Runner

H. Walton Grinnell, USN-- Part 1

Continued from March 22, 2020.

This man led a small detachment of sailors for the first hookup between Wilmington and General Sherman's Army in March 1865.  It was a very dangerous expedition.

From U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Officers  1775-1900.

MATE--  23 June 1862

ACTING ENSIGN--    11 November 1862

ACTING MASTER--  6 January 1864

ACTING VOLUNTEER LIEUTENANT--  3 May 1865

ENSIGN-- 12 March 1868 but did not accept

Honorably Discharged--  25  July 1868

LIEUTENANT  (Spanish American War)--  4 May 1898

Honorably Discharged--  10 January 1899

--Old B-Runner

Officers on USS Mackinaw, January 1, 1865

Naval History and Heritage Command.

The ship was in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron under Rear Admiral David D. Porter.

MACKINAW (3rd rate)

COMMANDER:  J.C. Beaumont

ACTING MASTER:  A.J. Louch

ACTING ENSIGNS:  William H. Penfield, J.T. Blanchard, Joseph Estes

ACTING ASSISTANT SURGEON:  Joseph T. Cottrell

ACTING ASSISTANT PAYMASTER:  Wm. T. Whittmore

ACTING MASTER'S MATES:  John A. Thomas, Solomon Barstow, Ed K. Green

ENGINEERS:

FIRST ASSISTANT:  Jefferson Young
SECOND ASSISTANT:  Daniel A. Sawyer
THIRD ASSISTANTS:  R.W. Milligan, Sylvanus McIntyre
ACTING THIRD ASSISTANTS:  Patrick Hagan, J.W. Reed

ACTING GUNNER:  Thomas Keer

This was the ship John S. Griscom was on when he was killed when the 100-pdr. Parrot exploded December 24, 1864, during the First Battle of Fort Fisher.

--Old B-Runner

Grant Planning for Second Attack on Fort Fisher and Explains How Butler Got Command of the First Attack

From Official Records War of the Rebellion Vol. XLVI, Prt II.

From City Point, Va., January 2, 1865 -- 3 p.m.

Hon.E.M. Stanton
  Secretary of War

General Sheridan proposed sending another division of troops here, but I suspended his action.  Let him get them to Baltimore now as soon as possible, and all the infantry on vessels that can go to Wilmington ready for orders.  Should I send troops there I will send him with them.

I can not go myself so long as General Butler would be left in command.  I will state that the former expedition was put under Weitzel by order, and I never dreamed of Butler going until he stopped here on his way down the river.  The operations taking place within the geographical limits of his department, I did not like to order him back.

                                                                   U.S. Grant
                                                                      Lieutenant General

Blockade Runner Atalanta (CSS Tallahassee)

From Confederate Historical Association of Belgium "The Armed Blockade Runners of the Confederate Government"by Serge Noirsain.

The twin screw ferry, Atalanta was a very stable and fast steamer.  She was purchased by a John Wallace in St. George (Bermuda)  who used her to run the blockade off Wilmington, N.C.

While at anchorage in Wilmington, the ship was purchased for $125,000.  Work to fit her out as a commerce raider began on July 15, 1864, and she was ready to embark on her new career nine days later.

--Old B-Runner

Major John Johnson Describes the Charleston Confederate Ironclads

From his book "The Defense of Charleston Harbor."  Pages 33-35

Two ironclad steamers were built in Charleston along the general plan of the the CSS Virginia with slanting casemate sides by the end of 1862.  They were intended for harbor defense.

The first launched was the CSS Palmetto State with iron plating four inches thick.It had an 80-pdr. rifle forward, a 60-pdr rifle aft and one 8-inch shell gun on each broadside.

The next was the Chicora, armed with six guns, two 9-inch  smoothbore and four 60-pdr. rifles.

Both were well built, but their steam power insufficient for the speed required of rams and their engines were constantly needing to be repaired.  Their crews numbered between 120 and 150.

--Old B-Runner

CSS Tallahassee Victim Found

From the March 29, 2020, NewsDay  "Set of coordinates, determination, lead to shipwreck discovery" by Bill Bleyer.

It wasn't a storm that caused the 181-foot long sailing ship named the Adriatic to be sunk back 156 years ago, but a run-in with the Confederate raider CSS Tallahassee.

Now, with a lot of determination, a group of Long Island divers appear to have discovered the ship's final resting place, about thirty miles south of Montauk Point.

The six divers are shown holding artifacts from the ship, including an inkwell.

"Finding the wreck of the Adriatic is an amazing discovery," said  Harrison Hunt, a former  Nassau County museum supervisor and author of the 2015 Arcadia book "Long Island and the Civil War.  Long Islanders don't usually think of the Civil War coming so close to their shore.

To offset the North's superiority in naval ships, the south relied on ironclads and commerce raiders.  By far, the most famous one was the CSS Alabama.  But the Tallahassee did pretty well in her short career.

--Old B-Runner

Death of Fort Fisher Volunteer David Wayne Dickson, 80

From the September28, 2020, Port City Daily.

Mr. Dickson died at home on Thursday, September 24.

He was born in 1940 in Schenectady, New York and served in the U.S. Navy between1958  to 1960.  After a 30-year career, he retired to Wilmington, North Carolina, as he had been going there on vacation for many years.

Most importantly to me, anyway, was his time devoted to Fort Fisher where he gave over 2,000 hours and was chosen Volunteer of the Year in 2008 and 2011.

Being able to volunteer at Fort Fisher for as many hours as Mr. Dickson would be a dream for me.  This fort is very special to my life.

Upon further thought, the obituary might have been referring to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher as it says in lieu of flowers to make donations to that place.  But, that is built inside the former Fort Fisher, so either way.

He was a Fort Fisher guy.

Thanks.

Death of Fort Fisher's Paul Laird

I only had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Laird on a few occasions due to how far away from Wilmington that I live, but, his efforts with the Friends of Fort Fisher was a major reason why I joined and am still a member.  

As far as I know, his legacy, the friends of Fort Fisher, has to be one of the best support groups any historical site has.  He was anywhere and everywhere needed in that organization and always went much further than was needed in all things.  

One of the times I met, he gave me a Friends of FF hat which I value.

I am hoping that they name something in the new Fort Fisher Museum and Visitors Center after him.  He certainly is deserving of that honor.

Well Miss You, Mr. Laird.

Death of Paul Laird-- Part 3: Chris Fonvielle's Condolences

 As fate would have it, I ended up teaching in the Dept. of History at UNC Wilmington, our undergraduate alma mater, for many years.    I publicly credited Paul with jump starting my career path.  Modest as he was, Paul always downplayed his role, but its my story and I'm sticking to it.

Even after retiring as director of the Friends of Fort Fisher, Paul remained active as a board member for the Moore's Creek Battlefield Association and the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society, and an advisor  to the Brunswick Civil War Round Table.

He and I worked together on many local history projects. most recently the Joseph Ryder Lewis Civil War Park at Carolina Beach.

Cross over the river and rest underneath the shade of the trees, my good friend, and wait for us there.  We'll join you by and by.   In the meantime,  you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Chris Fonvielle

Death of Paul Laird-- Part 2: Chris Fonvielle's Condolences

I went to the Wilmington Funeral site and read the condolences.  I seemed to remember that Paul Laird had something to do with the Friends of Fort Fisher even though the obituary just said he worked at Fort Fisher.

One of those condolences was from Chris Fonvielle.  I knew Chris Fonvielle from his days at the Blockade Runner Museum in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

I will write his words here:

"I extend my deepest sympathies to Kay, Matt, Ben and the entire Laird family for their unexpected loss.  Paul was one of my oldest, closest, and dearest friends, dating back to our days as undergraduates at UNC Wilmington in the 1970s. Were it not for Paul Laird, I may not have become a professional historian.

He was responsible  for getting me the job of curator of the former Blockade Runner Museum in Carolina Beach, N.C. in 1979 and, as it turned out, the last curator of the museum.  When New Hanover County purchased the Blockade Runner Museum's collection and moved it to the Cape Fear Museum in 1983, I decided to attend graduate school and pursue a career as an academic historian.

Death of Paul Morgan Laird, 65: History Buff, Worked at Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Moore's Creek

Paul M. Laird died September 12, 2020.  He was born in 1955 in France and lived in Thailand, Mississippi and later Fayetteville. Receiving a degree in history from UNCW, he had a 22-year career with the Wilmington, N.C., Chamber of Commerce.

Later, he served  the Boys and Girls Homes at Lake Waccamaw, Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the Moore's Creek National Battlefield in Corporate Development.

Paul was passionate about history and had a special interest in the Civil War and American Revolution periods.  He traveled across much of the United States visiting various battlefields and historic sites.  He also traveled to Europe on multiple occasions, visiting castles, museums and historic sites.

Family was the most important thing in Paul's life.  He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Jordan Laird; two sons, Matthew and his spouse , Heather, and Benjamin; brother David, and his spouse, Virginia; and his sister, Lisa Laird, and her spouse, Angela Evans.  He is survived also by his loyal companion, Bastian.

A memorial celebration of his life will be held at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at a later date.  A very fitting place for it to be held as he did so much for this place as long-time director of the Friends of Fort Fisher.  This group has to be one of the most active Friends groups anywhere in the country because of his efforts.

I was able to meet him and talk to him on several occasions.  I count myself lucky to have done that.

New Book on the Role of USCT at Wilmington's Battle of Forks Road-- Part 3

This new book also briefly covers efforts to preserve the Battle of Forks Road which led to its inclusion in North Carolina's Civil War Trails and the preservation of earthworks from the battle which are on the grounds of what is now the Cameron Art Museum.

The book is dedicated to  to the memory of Sgt.  Fred Johnson, a Korean War veteran and Civil War re-enactor who participated in many  Forks Road anniversary programs and was instrumental in obtaining  the state historical marker  honoring black Forks Road veterans buried at the Wilmington National Cemetery.

The title of the book evokes the memory of the 1989 historical movie about the all-black (except officers) 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment.  It is an apt comparison as black troops at both actions proved they could fight.  However, with the 54th, they were repulsed with heavy losses and at Forks Road, the black troops won.

--Old B-Runner

New Book on the Role of USCT at the Battle of Forks Road, Wilmington, N.C.-- Part 2: The Victory here Was One for the USCT

Author Chris Fonvielle says that the Battle of Forks Road was the victory of the USCT since those two brigades bore the brunt of the fighting and had made the assault on the Confederate trenches and as a result, had suffered the most casualties.

Fonvielle told the story at length in his 1997 book, "The Wilmington Campaign:  Last Rays of Departing Hope.  His "Glory at Wilmington" is a smaller book aimed at general readers, not hardcore Civil War readers.  This new book is issued by Starburst Press, an imprint of Daniel  Ray Norris' SlapDash Publishing and has plenty of maps and lively period illustrations.

One interesting point Mr. Fonvielle made in this book was the case of  two brothers who fought on opposite sides in the war and were at the Wilmington Campaign.  They were Jacob and Lewis Horne who grew up in the Wilmington area, not too far from today's Monkey Junction.  (If you're from Wilmington, you'd know where this area was and why it hot this name.)

Lewis was with the local Confederate Wilmington Horse Artillery  and as they were rushing north to avoid capture, he was able to stop by his mother's and tell her goodbye.  The next day, Jacob, who was a scout for General Terry's Union forces, detoured to also visit Mom.

A Family Reunion of Sorts.   --Old B-Runner

New Book on the Role of USCT at the Battle of Forks Road, Wilmington, N.C., 1865-- Part 1

From the July 25, 2020, Wilmington (NC) Star-News  "Writer dives into 'Glory at Wilmington'by Ben Steelman.

Wilmington native, former UNC-W professor and historian Chris Fonvielle tells the story of U.S. Colored Troops (USCT)role at this battle in the Wilmington area.  I doubt there is anyone who knows more about the Civil War in the Wilmington area during the war than Chris Fonvielle.

The Battle of Forks Road was nowhere as big of a battle as Gettysburg, Shiloh or Bentonville, but it did have ramifications on the fall of Wilmington, North Carolina.

The Battle of Forks Road, just south of Wilmington back then, is also sometimes referred to as Jumpin' Run, after the nearby Jumpin' Run Creek.

It was the Confederate last stand before the fall of Wilmington.  When Confederate General Robert F. Hoke withdrew his troops from those trenches before dawn on February 22, 1865, the fall of the city was set.  Later on during that day, George Washington's birthday, Union General Alfred H. Terry led his troops into the city.

Bringing up the rear of his column were two brigades of United States Colored Troops, black volunteers.  Many had been slaves just a short time earlier and many were from Wilmington and the surrounding area.

The victory at Forks Road was largely to their honor.

--Old B-Runner

Pine Island, Charleston Harbor-- Part 2: Something About Alcohol and the Boaters (Imagine That)

Fort Sumter was the target that ignited the Civil War when Confederates opened fire on it on April 12, 1861.  Today, it is one of the biggest tourist draws in Charleston (despite the $23 or $24 charge to go out to it.  It attracts more than 800,000 people to it and its companion sites at Fort Moultrie and  Castle Pinckney National Historic Site.

"The current use of the beach (Pine Island) includes people consuming alcohol and 'partying' rather than coming to the fort for a historical visit," said Park Superintendent J. Tracy  Stakely in a letter announcing the closure. 

My wife and I were once boaters and can attest to boaters doing stuff like this.

This  move outraged local captain Chris Rabens, of Charlestown Charters, who watched rangers stop his customers after he dropped them off for years at the beach to see the fort.

"They're giving Spiritline Cruises (which runs Fort Sumter Tours) a monopoly.  It hurts my business.  I thinks its an injustice.  I think its unfair," Rabens said.

Imagine Boaters Partying?  --Old B-Runner

Pine Island, Charleston Harbor-- Part 1: No More Visiting Fort Sumter from the Sandbar

I had been writing about Fort Sumter and in the last post about it, mentioned a place near it called Pine island, which is actually a sand bar.  Here is some more information about it.

From the August 6, 2019, Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier "Feds block private boats, drop-in visits to historic Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor" by Bo Peterson Bopete.

You can't visit Fort Sumter for free anymore.  This, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

Rangers at the fort have now put off limits access from the sandbar beach between the fort and James Island, popularly known as Pine Island.  They have stationed themselves at the fort's riprap and turn potential visitors from Pine Island away.

Pine Island itself, is one of the big party areas for weekend boaters and that soon might be closed as well.  As a boater, I know about party sandbars and areas all too well.

This closing of Fort Sumter pulls the plug on one of the local secrets among Charleston's boating community.  And that is that the $23 fee charged by Fort Sumter Tours ferries didn't pay for admission, just the ride.  The fort has always been free to enter.

But, federal managers say that they have had enough of people partying inside the historic structure where alcohol isn't allowed.  They need to step up security, more carefully manage erosion and artifact looting around the deteriorating, nearly 200-year-old historic landmark.

I Wonder If Pine Island/Sandbar Was There During the Civil War?--Old B-Runner

Movements of Blockade Runners September 1864

From the September 24, 1864, New York Times  "Movements of Blockade-Runners."

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Thursday , Sept. 22

The blockade-runners Lady Sterling and Armstrong cleared for Bermuda yesterday.

The blockade-runner Little Hattie, which sailed  a few days since, returned to-day.

Run It In, Run It Our.  --Old B-R'er

Wreck of Blockade Runner Fanny and Jenny-- Part 2: Was It Carrying a Sword for Robert E. Lee?

The Fanny and Jenny's cargo list  had bacon,  coal and liquor aboard it, but legends abound that it also carried a gold sword with inlaid jewels, that was supposed to be presented to General Robert E. Lee, a present from British admirers.

William Keeler, the paymaster of the USS Florida (who was also  on the USS Monitor at the famous battle with the CSS Virginia and the Monitor's sinking) related that he had heard from a sailor that the Fanny and Jenny's captain had been seen carrying a sword off the vessel, but as he was being rowed ashore, the boat was swamped by a wave and the sword lost.

The wrecks of two other blockade runners, the Emily of London and the Dee, are located off Wrightsville Beach between Crystal Pier and the jetty at Masonboro Inlet.  These two have been sanded over and are not  visible on the seabed.

More about the Fanny and Jenny can be found  in  Ray MacAllister's book, "Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island."

--Old B-R'er

Wreck of Blockade Runner Fanny and Jenny at Wrightsville Beach-- Part 1

From Sept. 24, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News  "My Reporter":  Is a Civil War blockade runner  sunk off Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach?"  Ben Steelman.

The Fanny and Jenny, sunk February 10, 1864, while on its first run through the blockade.  Its engines used to be visible at low tide.

Crystal Pier at the Oceanic Restaurant, was deliberately built over the Fanny and Jenny wreck, according to Mark Wilde-Ramsing of the N.C. Underwater Archaeology Branch at Fort Fisher.  Blockade runner wrecks are valued  as exceptionally good fishing spots.

Builders dynamited part of the wreck in 1938, while extending the length of the pier to 901 feet, according to Chris Fonvielle of the UNC_Wilmington.  (Hurricanes have sheered off much of the pier since then.)  Divers excavated a number of artifacts from the wreck in the 1960s, including the ship's anchor, which was displayed on shore.

--Old B-Runner

Other "Devils"

I am still getting the information from To the Sound Of Guns Blog.

But, the Charleston "Devil" is not the only remaining raft of Ericsson's.    Three years after the Civil War, a strange raft drifted close to Bermuda and was pulled to shore.  Later, the raft was identified as one of Ericsson's.  A report indicates that it was surveyed as late as 1965.

Had it drifted all the way there?

And, there is another potential Ericsson raft in Texas.  In 1980, Hurricane  Allen uncovered remains that matched the particulars of Ericsson's design on Mustang Beach.  But, apparently there is some room for debate about the identification of the wreck.

That "Devil" Ericsson.  --Old B-Runner

Where Was This Photo Taken?-- Part 4: Walking Over From Pine Island Sandbar

 **  Before 2019, some locals had found a way to visit the fort without paying the $24 fee normally required of visiting the site.

**  Unbeknownst to most  visitors, there is technically no cost to enter Fort Sumter itself.  Instead, the fee is to cover the ferry service to and from the fort.

**  It turns out that a short distance from Fort Sumter is a sandbar, popularly known as "Pine Island" by weekend -party boaters.  Some locals would anchor the boat off the sandbar, and take the short walk through the shallow waters to Fort Sumter island.

**  But in 2019, the National Park Service (NPS) officially closed access to the fort from the  sandbar beach in an attempt to limit overcrowding and  the number of inebriated guests who visit the national monument.

**  It seems that the NPS can really be a party-pooper.

--Old B-Runner

Where Was This Photo Taken-- Part 3: Built On An Artificial Island

 One of the people who correctly identified the photo was Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas.  he gave some more information of Fort Sumter, both then and now:

**  The mystery photo is of the boat dock at Fort Sumter that was built by the U.S. Army on an artificial island at the entrance to Charleston Harbor in 1829.

**  Construction of the fort began after the War of 1812 in recognition of the importance of protecting Charleston.

**  The fort was still under construction when the first battle took place there on April 12, 1861, when the South Carolina Militia Artillery Division (the Confederate Army did not yet exist) fired in the Union garrison at the fort, officially starting the war.

**  Arrival at this dock is currently the only way that visitors can embark on an official tour of Fort Sumter.

**  Only one company named Fort Sumter Tours,  is permitted to run the ferries that shuttle visitors to/from the island via Downtown Charleston at Liberty Square or from across the harbor at Patriot's Point.

--Old B-Runner

Where Was This Photo Taken?-- Part 2

This was from the September 8, 2020, Charleston Currents "Mystery Photo."

It was from the August 31, 2020 photo "Dock scene you may recognize."

It should look familiar to you if you have ever been to Fort Sumter.  It shows the Charleston, S.C., skyline across from the fort's dock.  This is what you'd see getting off the tour boat.

Fifteen people knew the answer.

Did you?

I had seen the answer in the article, so disallowed myself a guess.  I don't know if I could have guessed it anyway.  The only time I was ever there was in the early 1960s.

--Old B-Runner

Remembering the Events of September 11, 2001

 I was with a friend who installing a battery in my '85 Firebird today which is why all these posts about 9-11 are coming in this late.  Now, you wouldn't think installing a battery was a problem, but not my battery.  This was the battery from hell.

What Dennis believed to be a five-ten minute effort, ended up as a two and a half hour lesson in futility.  He worked and worked, but to no avail.  Those bolts and nuts just would not budge.  We finally ended up going to O'Reilly's to get a battery that was designed for am '85 Firebird.  

Dennis and his brother Al and Vince are undertaking an effort to make that Firebird presentable.

I remember September 11, 2001, as being just three days before my mother's birthday which always remind me to send her a present.

I was teaching one of my 7th grade classes at John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois, when another teacher told me what had happened.  This was all we did in every one of my classes after that.  I knew that this was going to be one of those Pearl Harbor, JFK assassination events that people will be remembering for many years afterwards.

I wanted to make sure my students got the full experience.

Where Was This Photo Taken?-- Part 1

Did anyone guess where this place next to this entry was located?

But, here are some clues.  

**  It shows a dock leading up to a masonry brick fort with water and a city in the background on what appears to be an island perhaps.

**  The commander of the Confederates was P.G.T. Beauregard and my favorite Confederate general, W.H.C. Whiting, was also here at the battle.

**  It is in a former Confederate state (Sorry BLM).

**  Action here is regarded as the start of the Civil War.

**  There was a huge bombardment here in 1861, but no Union soldiers were killed until after the surrender, when a cannon blew up when they were firing a salute.

**  Major Robert Anderson was in charge of the Union force.

**  It was bombarded into ruins by Union ships later in the war.

You probably have the right answer by now.  

--Old B-Runner

Mackinaw's Dahlgren Cannons-- Part 3: USS Hartford Commissioned in 1859, Decommissioned in 1926, Sank in 1956

 By the end of the Civil War, a battery of 26 nine-inch Dahlgrens were on the deck of the USS Hartford.  The Hartford was a steam sloop of war with a top speed of approximately 13.5 knots when both steam and sail were used.

Commissioned  27 May 1859 and decommissioned  20 August 1920, making it one of the oldest Civil War ships to serve.  It was 225 feet long with a 44 foot beam and had a complement of 310 officers and men.  It was decommissioned on 20 August 1926.

Sadly, after decommissioning, she was classified as a relic, towed to Norfolk Navy Yard where she deteriorated and eventually sank at her berth on 20 November  1956.  So sad.  This would have been a great ship to keep with its Farragut history from the Battle of Mobile Bay.

You Know, "Damn the Torpedoes...."  --Old B-Runner

Mackinaw's Dahlgren Cannons-- Part 2: "It Was Almost As Dangerous to Shoot As To Be Shot At"

 The Iron Marsilly carriage was much more durable and safer than wooden carriages to hold the cannons.  Wooden ones were often made of elm wood and  would splinter if his by an enemy shell.  Wounds from these wooden splinters were serious and even fatal for Union gun crews.

Also a danger from Civil War cannons was the possibility of them bursting when fired.  Crews always feared their guns bursting almost more than taking a hit from enemy fire.  It was almost as dangerous to shoot as to be shot at.  No Dahlgren big gun, not the  nine inch or fifteen inch, every burst, even when firing with a full charge.  Quite a few Union Parrott 100-pounders blew up during the bombardments of Fort Fisher.

Appropriately, Mackinaw's three Civil War Dahlgren guns face the waters of the Straits of Mackinac.  Each cannon weighs  approximately 9800 pounds, two or three times the weight of a car.  On the end of the right trunnion is the date in which the cannon was  cast, i.e. 1863; on the left trunnion  is the letter "P" for "proved" with the inspector's initials, i.e., "W.R.T." for William Rogers Taylor.

I looked William Rogers Taylor up and found that he eventually became an admiral in the Navy and had commanded the USS Juanita at the battles of Fort Fisher.  That really makes him an object of interest for me, of course.

--Old B-Runner

Mackinaw's Dahlgren Cannons-- Part 1: The Guns That Won the Civil War

 From HMDB  On the Mackinaw City Historical Parkway.

Inscription:  During the Civil War and after the Battle of Mobile Bay, naval historians called this gun, the 9-inch Dahlgren, the gun "that won the Civil War."  We are very lucky to have three relics  from the Civil War here in Mackinaw City, Michigan.  Three guns on our Marina Lawn came from the most famous ship in the Union Navy, the USS Hartford.

The nine-inch refers to the diameter o the muzzle and the size of the  ammunition the Dahlgren could fire.  Shooting this gun took an officer, loaders, spongers, rammers, tackle men, 16 in all, plus one powder monkey, usually a young boy, or each broadside gun.

Aiming such a large gun from the deck of an unstable ship took practice;  guns were often fired at the instant the roll of the ship brought the target into line.  The large metal loops on the cannon were for the strong ropes used for running the guns out and checking the length of recoil when the gun was fired.

--Old B-Runner

Another USS Minnesota Cannon

While trying to find out more about the USS Minnesota cannon that was in the cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan, I came across this cannon.

From HMDB  "Cannon"

Located in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Inscription:  "This nine inch Dahlgren cannon  was placed here to mark the colonial approach to town from the ferry landing and was dedicated on July 5, 1907.

The gun is on loan to the Borough of New Hope from the US Navy.  It was cast   in 1855 at the West  Point  Foundry and installed  on the USS Minnesota where it saw action at the Battle of Hampton Roads between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (Merrimack) on March 9, 1862.

Years later it was installed on the USS Richmond which saw action with Admiral Farragut's fleet.

It was fired 108 times as of September 1888."

The marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Ferry Street.

--Old B-Runner

Big Civil War Cannon Destroyed at Battle Creek Michigan 100 Years Ago-- Part 3

Continued from July 23 and 26.

The cannon was used as a war memorial at the Oak Hill Cemetery for years afterwards and was the focal point of Decoration (Memorial) Day observances for may years before World War I.

It featured a plaque that read:

"This gun was in service on the Cumberland (USS Cumberland which was sunk by the CSS Virginia the day before its fight against the USS Monitor) during the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack.  Mounted here by Farragut Post No. 32, Department of Michigan, G.A.R. in commemoration of  the heroic services of Union soldiers and sailors during the Civil War."

(Should have been listed as on the USS Minnesota.

Shortly after Frank Kellogg's death, the gun was donated  to a scrap metal drive.

The story goes that it was removed from the cemetery grounds and loaded into a railway  truck using a ten-ton crane.  But the crane and truck  both overturned.  All had to be donated to the scrap drive.

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Civil War Markers in Wilmington, N.C. Area Are Down

From the August 20, 2020, Wilmington (NC) Star-News  Photos:  Wilmington-area   historic markers in need of repair.

At least eight area state highway markers  have been damaged, stolen or knocked down and are waiting to be replaced.  Some by the recent hurricane.  None of these have been done in by BLM.  Thanks, BLM.

These are North Carolina's "History On a Stick" markers.

**  The now vacant post where W.H.C. Whiting  highway historical marker by Fort Fisher was before it was blown down by Hurricane Isaias in August 2020.

It read:  "D 104 /  W.H.C. WHITING /  1824-1865 /  Confederate major general and engineer.  He devised the Cape Fear defense system.  Wounded nearby in fall of fort.  Died in Union hospital."

**  The Fort Fisher state highway historical marker was blown down during Hurricane Isaias and is still missing.  It was located in Fort Fisher.

It read:  "D 12 /  FORT FISHER /  Built by Confederacy.  Its fall Jan. 15, 1865, closed Wilmington., last important  southern port for blockade running."

**  Fort Caswell state highway historical marker was knocked down after Hurricane Florence in 2018 and remains missing.

It read:  "D 8  /  FORT CASWELL  /  Named for Gov. Caswell.  Begun by U.S. in 18226; seized by N.C. troops, 1861; abandoned by Confederates , 1865.  Stands five miles southeast.

Let's Get Those Markers Back Up Again.  You Must Know Your History.  --Old B-Runner

Two U.S. Navy Ships Were Named After Confederate Admirals

From Civil War Talk.

There was discussion about a photograph of Captain Franklin Buchanan, CSN, and Captain Josiah Tattnall CSN sitting together.

One comment was from a person saying he was stationed on the USS Tattnall (DDG-19) while in the Navy.  He also said his ship's sister ship was the USS Semmes (DDG-18).  Both were guided missile destroyers.

The Tattnall was commissioned in 1963 and decommissioned in 1991.

The Semmes was commissioned in 1962 and decommissioned in 1991.

Actually, if these two ships were still commissioned in the U.S. Navy today, there now would be a good chance their names would be changed.

Looking at the pictures of these two ships, I have to say that back then, they still looked like destroyers, whereas the new destroyers, or littoral combat ships, look quite a bit like  Confederate ironclads.

--Old B-Runner

Southport/Smithville, N.C. History-- Part 3: Named For Benjamin Smith

Present-day Southport was founded as the town of Smithville in 1792.  Joshua Potts had requested the formation of a town adjacent to Fort Johnston, and the North Carolina General Assembly formed a commission of five men to administer its founding.

It was named for Benjamin Smith, a colonel in the Continental Army during the American revolution and later a governor of North Carolina.  Smithville grew up as a fishing village and since it supported military activity with its Fort Johnston, it was the county seat of Brunswick County from 1808 to 1977.

In an effort to promote  the town as a major shipping port, Smithville was renamed Southport in 1887.  Smithville Township, in which Southport is located, and other local landmarks like the cemetery continue to use the name Smithville.

The renaming of Smithville as Southport did not bring about its aim and it did not become a major sea port.  But, Southport is now known for its relaxed atmosphere and Victorian-era seaside charm.

--Old B-Southport

"Beast" Butler Is Topic of MCCWRT Discussion Group This Saturday, August 22

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table (MCCWRT) will have a discussion group meeting this Saturday, August 22, at the Panera Bread Co. store at 451 S. Randall Road in Algonquin, Illinois, from 10 am to noon or thereabouts.

It will be outside and everyone needs to wear a mask at all times unless eating or drinking.  You know, that virus-thingie.

This month's topi is "The Beast."  That would be Union General Benjamin Butler, a real character during the war.  I put the meeting in my Civil War Navy blog because of his command at the First Battle of Fort Fisher.  But, he also held commands at New Orleans and Newport News.

Everyone is welcome.  Come on by.

The "Beast."  --Old B-Runner

Southport/Smithville, North Carolina: The History-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

The area where Southport is located, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River in North Carolina was  explored as early as the 1500s by Spanish explorers.  During the 18th century, British settlements along the Carolina coast lacked  fortifications to protect against pirates and privateers and there were numerous Spanish incursions as well.

In response to these attacks, Royal Governor Gabriel Johnston, in 1744, appointed a committee to best select the site for a fort to protect the Cape Fear River region.  It was determined that the site would be near the mouth of the river where the fort was eventually constructed.

During that same year, France declared war on Britain, later known as King George's War, increasing the need for a fort.  At the same time, Spanish privateer raids increased on the American colonies. As a result, the North Carolina General Assembly authorized the construction of "Johnston's Fort" in April 1745, which would become known as Fort Johnston, the name it carried into the Civil War.

The governor of South Carolina agreed to lend ten small cannons to the fort and the legislature in , in the spring of 1748, appropriated 2,000 pounds for construction costs, and the fort finally became a reality.

The town of Smithville, later Southport, developed around the fort.

It was Smithville during the Civil War.

--Old B-Runner

When Smithville, N.C., Became Southport, N.C.-- Part 2: Snapshots and Postcards of Smithville/Southport

Photographs accompany the article.

**  One shows the Stuart House.  It was a boarding house and many blockade runner captains and pilots would stay there during the war.

**  Another one shows a large sign with the words:  "Welcome to Southport, a deep Water Natural  Harbor" from when the city was trying to become a major North Carolina seaport.  Wilmington, up the Cape Fear River, became that seaport.  Blockade runners would drop down to Smithville (now Southport) after taking on cargo in Wilmington, and wait to see which of the two exits was the best one for their voyage (least blockaded).

**  Another one showed Capt. John Harper's  steamer Wilmington which was the most popular way to get from Wilmington to Southport from 1896 to the 1910s.  Thus was also the ship you took to go to Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher.

**  A hospital which once stood at Fort Johnston.

**  Pirate Steed Bonnet, the "Gentleman's Pirate" who was captured near Southport.

**  The barracks that once stood at Fort Johnston.

**  Fort Johnston marker:  "Gov. Gabriel Johnston ordered  construction of the fort, 1745.  Burned by defiant colonists, 1775.  Rebuilt later..  Only the officers quarters remain."  Today it is the Southport welcome center and museum.

**  United States Quarantine Station  at Southport.  Too bad we didn't have more of these back in January and February this year.

--Old B-Runner

When Smithville N.C. Became Southport N.C.-- Part 1

From the July 30m 2020, Jacksonville (N.C.) Daily News  "Cape Fear Unearthed:  How Smithville became Southport" by Hunter Ingram.

The latest episode of a podcast "Cape Fear Unearthed."

During the Civil War, the town of Southport was called Smithville, the name it had had since the 1700s.  It was originally  designated as Fort Johnston in the 1740s and was supposed to protect the growing and thriving  ports of Brunswick Town and Wilmington.

But, it never became a major fort and the town of Smithville grew up around the ruins of the fort after the American revolution and a favorite escape the heat spot for Wilmington residents.  Over time and through at least three major wars, Smithville flourished, even after becoming Southport in 1887.

That is why it is the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry instead of the Smithville-Fort Fisher Ferry.

--Old B-Runner

Well, the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry Reopened Last Friday, But, This Little Old Hurricane Came By and...

From the August 5, 2010, WECT News (Wilmington, N.C.) "Southport ferry expects to resume services sometime Wednesday after Hurrican Isaias."

After being closed for several months, for repairs, the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry across the Cape Fear River finally reopened last Friday, but closed again for Hurricane Isaias.

The city of Southport sustained some damage as the Category 1 hurricane came ashore nearby, but power has been restored at the ferry terminal again, but has not been operating today because of ramp problems.

Service is expected to begin at sometime on Wednesday.

--Old B-Runner

Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry Route Resumed Service Friday, July 31

From the July 29, 2020, North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The popular Southport-Fort Fisher  ferry route will resume at 1 p.m. July 31 after completion of $3 million  project to replace the aging  cable-counterweight ramp system at both ends of the route.

Every day there will be 14 daily trips from Southport to Fort Fisher.

Face covers and social distancing is expected during the crossings.

The ferry crosses the Cape Fear River where every blockade runner that ran into and out of Wilmington during the Civil War went by the route the ship takes.  A beautiful crossing.  Plus it saves a real lot of time going between the east and west sides of the Cape Fear River.  Otherwise you have to go into Wilmington, NC to find a bridge to cross the river.

--Old B-Runner

Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry to Open By Week's End

From WWAY Cape Fear ABC News.

Scheduled to reopen after being shut down for seven months.  It shut down in January so $3 million work could be done on aging boat ramp system.  Work halted in March due to coronavirus.  This long term shutdown hurt Southport business.

Believe me, getting from Pleasure Island, the area that includes Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher to Southport involves a several hour drive up to Wilmington (and all its traffic and photo-enforced cameras) and then back down the west side of the Cape Fear River to get to Southport.  This would be at least two or two-and-a-half hours instead of the 30 minutes to cross on the ferry.

WWAY says they will let the public know just as soon as the opening date is known.

Go, Ferry, Go.  Driving Through Wilmington Is a Nightmare.  --Old B-Runner

Big Civil War Naval Cannon Destroyed in Michigan-- Part 2: At the First Battle of the Ironclads and Both Battles of Fort Fisher

This cannon was on board the Union steam frigate USS Minnesota and had been used to defend the wooden ship against the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia in 1862 and the following day was used at the battle between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, the world's first battle between ironclads.  This battle spelled the end of wooden sailing navies.

According to a local newspaper, it also fired the last shot at the Virginia prior to the arrival of the USS Monitor.

Later in the war, the USS Minnesota performed blockade duties and was at both battles of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, which up until then and for many years afterwards, was the largest assemblage of warships and largest bombardment ever by the U.S. Navy up to that time.

So, this cannon had some history to it.

--Old B-Runner