MARCH 24TH, 1865: The USS Republic, (actually the USS Peony, it was formerly the SS Republic) Acting Ensign John W. Bennett, was dispatched up the Cape Fear River from Wilmington to check reports that detachments of General Wheeler's cavalry were operating in the area.
About six miles up the river a cavalry squad was driven away with gunfire. Bennett then landed a reconnoitering party. It was learned that the mounted Confederates had broken into smaller squads and were plundering the country.
The reconnaissance party also made contact with a rear guard detachment of General Sherman's army en route to Fayetteville.
Actually, the USS Republic was the formed SS Republic, a civilian ship purchased by the Navy in 1864 and renamed the USS Peony.
--Old B-Runner
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