This month and last, I have been writing about this man, Arnold Harris, is this blog. He sounds like he had an interesting life, but I am unable to find out any information other than what I have written which isn't a lot.
Here is what I have:
I first found his name on January 7, 1864, when Gen. Benjamin Butler had a plan to send the Army steamer Brewster, under the command of Arnold Harris, into Wilmington harbor disguised as a blockade runner. This plan was abandoned when it was determined that Wilmington's defenses were too strong to attempt it.
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He was appointed acting ensign 24 March 1863 and assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron where he must have been on extended duty, operating as the commander of the Army transport Brewster. He resigned 21 February 1865. (Wilmington fell the following day.)
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On November 16, 1863, Gideon Welles wrote Read Admiral S. P. Lee, commander of the North Atlantic Blocking Squadron regarding special duty for Mr. Harris, saying that Harris "has been abroad and has been in Wilmington lately and is willing to go again."
Welles suggested that Harris could maybe go to New York, then to Nassau and Wilmington.
Sounds considerably like an undercover kind of a thing.
--Old B-Runner
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