Battle of Legareville-- Part 3: A Surprise Attack

At around 6 am on Christmas Day, Confederate batteries opened fire on the USS Marblehead, but their fire was ineffective.  Upon the first shots, Union Lieutenant  Commander Richard Meade bolted from his quarters wearing just his night clothes and ordered his men to return fire. With steam up in just one of his ship's boilers, the Marblehead lifted its anchor and maneuvered downstream, all the while returning fire.

Despite the Confederate accuracy and casualties among gun crews, Boatswain's Mate  William Farley, captain of the XI inch pivot gun, got off the Union response.  Meade's servant, escaped slave Robert Blake brought his commander's uniform and even helped man one of the guns after a crew member was shot down.

One crew member, Charles Moore was wounded and bleeding profusely, but refused to leave his post and continued at his gun.  Quartermaster  James Miler then stepped up to the foredeck and cast the lead to find the depth and enabled the ship to escape the Confederate trap.

Acting ensign George Winslow also helped to rally the crew to their guns.

--Old B-R'er