The USS Marblehead was built by George W. Jackman, Jr. of Newburyport, Massachusetts. She was launched October 16, 1861, and commissioned March 8, 1863. (A little longer than 90-days.) Lieutenant Commander Somerville Nicholson was her first commander.
First assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, the Marblehead took part in operations along the York and Pamunkey rivers in Virginia. On May 1, 1862, she participated in the shelling of Confederate positions at Yorktown, Virginia, supporting McClellan's Peninsula Campaign against Richmond.
In an unusual engagement, the Marblehead found itself engaged with Confederate cavalry. The ship was docked in the Pamunkey River and Confederate cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart ordered a detachment of his ships to attack it. Crew members on the ship spotted the effort and a brisk fire opened.
Confederate cavalry artillery commander Major John Pelham unlimbered his guns and opened fire. The ship got underway, causing a running battle, literally. Pelham's guns would fire, limber up, dash to a new spot, unlimber and open fire again. This continued until such time as the Marblehead passed out of range.
--Old B-R'er
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