July 7, 1865: Welles Ordered Reductions in Atlantic and Gulf Squadrons

JULY 7TH, 1865:  Secretary Welles ordered Rear Admiral Radford of the Atlantic Squadron to reduce his command to a total of ten vessels.

Welles also ordered the Gulf Squadron reduced to a total of 12 vessels.

Reducing the Navy After the War. ("War's Over, Man.  Wormer Dropped the Big One.") --Old B-Runner

June 9, 1865: Two New Squadrons Formed of the Four Blockading Ones As War Winds Down

JUNE 9TH, 1865:  Secretary Welles ordered the East Gulf and West Gulf Squadrons to be combined and redesignated the Gulf Squadron.  He directed Rear Admiral H.K. Thatcher to relieve Rear Admiral C.K. Stribling and assume command of the newly formed  Squadron with headquarters  at Pensacola.

Welles also directed that the North and South Atlantic squadrons be combined and redesignated the Atlantic Squadron.  At the same time, he ordered Rear Admiral Dahlgren to return to Washington, D.C., and Rear Admiral William Radford to assume command of the new squadron.

Dahlgren recorded in his diary on June 17:  "And so ends a command of two years of one of the largest fleets ever assembled under American colors -- as many as 96 at one time."

--Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago: Command of Atlantic Squadron Passes to Joseph Lanman

OCTOBER 10, 1865:  Command of the Atlantic Squadron passed from Rear Admiral Radford to Commodore Joseph Lanman.  Radford reported to Washington and assumed command of the Washington Navy Yard.

--Old B-Runner

Atlantic and Gulf Squadrons Reduced

JULY 7TH, 1865:   Secretary Welles ordered Rear Admiral Radford of the Atlantic Squadron to further reduce his command to a total of ten vessels.  Welles also ordered the further reduction of the Gulf Squadron to a total of 12 vessels.

--Old B-Runner

East and West Gulf Squadrons Combined, North and South Atlantic Squadrons Also Combined

JUNE 9TH, 1865:  Secretary Welles ordered that the East Gulf and West Gulf squadrons be combined and redesignated as the Gulf Squadron.  He directed Rear Admiral H.K. Thatcher to relieve Rear Admiral C.K. Stribling and assume command of the new squadron with headquarters at Pensacola.

Welles also directed the North and South Atlantic squadrons be combined and redesignated the Atlantic Squadron.  At the same time he ordered Rear Admiral Dahlgren to return to Washington and Rear Admiral William Radford to assume command of the new squadron.

Dahlgren recorded in his diary under the date 17 June:  "And so ends a command of two years of one of the largest fleets ever assembled under American colors-- as many as 96 at one time."

--Old B-Runner