Some More Naval Medal of Honor Recipients Buried in Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia-- Part 2

There sure are a lot of Navy Medal of Honor recipients buried at this cemetery.  I wonder if it has anything to do with the Philadelphia Navy Yard being there.

John Lafferty, USS Wyalusing, versus CSS Albemarle.  Also received a second medal of Honor in Peru.

Nicholas Lear, USS New Ironsides, Fort Fisher

Thomas G. Lyons, USS Pensacola, Battle of New Orleans

James Martin II, USMC, USS Richmond, Battle of Mobile Bay

Matthew McClelland, USS Richmond, Battle of Port Hudson

John Smith, USS Richmond, Battle of Mobile Bay

William Thompson, USS Mohican, Battle of Port Royal

Alexander Truett, USS Richmond, Battle of Mobile Bay

John Williams, USS Pawnee, Mathias Point, Va.

William Williams, USS Lehigh, Charleston, S.C.

Sure a lot of Navy, Marine Medals of Honor buried in this cemetery.

--Ol B-R'er

How Many Medals of Honor Did Henry Schutes Receive?

I have been doing more research on this question.  I even looked up lists of double Medal of Honor winners and Henry Schutes was not on the list (although there are 19 who have received double Medals of Honor).

I am of the belief that he bravely fought at the Battle of New Orleans but it was his actions on board the USS Wissahickon against Fort McAllister which caused him to get the Medal of Honor.

--Old B-Runner

Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Schutes-- Part 2: Battle of New Orleans

While performing his duties aboard the USS Wissahickon during the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip in April 1862, some Union ships managed to break through a barrier in the Mississippi River on April 23.  The Wissahickon was one of them.  Fire rafts were sent down to destroy them.

Schutes received his Medal of Honor here.  His citation reads: "his seamanlike qualities as gunner's mate were outstanding," and that he performed his duties with skill and courage.

The ships made it past the Confederate defenses and New Orleans surrendered.

But this wasn't Schutes' only Medal of Honor.  He received a second one nearly a year later.

--Old B-R'er

John Collins, Acting Master, USN-- Part 2

From "The Capture of New Orleans" by Chester G. Hearn.

On April 18, the USS George Mangham, under Acting Master John Collins, Jr., received a shot in her port bow that passed through the galley and lodged in the mortar bed.  But, the ship continued to operate its mortar.

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From the ORN: South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.  Operation at Bull's Bay February 19, 1865.

The George Mangham took part at at one point the field artillery of the landed forces was under command of John Collins.

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From the U.S. Navy Officers 1798-1900.

JOHN COLLINS

Acting Master  21 December 1861.  Honorably discharged 19 September 1865.  Evidently he commanded the George Mangham for the duration of the war.

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Evidently, John Collins commanded the USS George Mangham his whole Civil War naval career.

--Old B-Runner

USS George Mangham-- Part 2: Battle of New Orleans

The USS George Mangham was with the Mortar Fleet's Second Division anchored in the east bank of the Mississippi River.  As the swift current slackened on 24 April, 1862,  Farragut's fleet steamed boldly through a break in the obstructions and engaged and passed Forts Jackson and St. Philip.  They then engaged and captured the Confederate squadron resisting their advance up the river.

Meanwhile, the mortar boats continued their bombardment of the forts.  The Mangham received a shot through her hull in the engagement.

Having passed the forts, there was no defense against Farragut for the Confederates.  He went upriver to New Orleans and easily captured it 25 April.

This opened the way for the Union fleet to sweep northward up the river.  The Mangham and the mortar boats stayed below the forts, which surrendered  28 August.

Old B-Runner

CSS Mississippi-- Part 1: Was Never Finished

From Wikipedia.

One of the sources I used for research on the Leeds Foundry in New Orleans, said that this foundry was going to be used for the two Confederate ironclads at New Orleans, the CSS Louisiana and the CSS Mississippi.  I was writing about the Leeds Foundry in my Saw the Elephant:  Civil War blog in connection with cannons they produced for the Confederate Army.

The CSS Mississippi was a projected Confederate ironclad.  Her design was unusual as  she was to be built according to house-building techniques.  Whether this would have worked or not was never proven  as she was not complete when New Orleans fell to Union ships under Flag Officer David G. Farragut on 25 April 1862.

Rather than let her fall into Union hands,  Captain Arthur Sinclair, CSN, ordered her to be hastily launched and burned.

Despite  the delays in construction that left her unfinished and untried,  her mere existence, together with that of the CSS Louisiana, raised hopes of the Confederate defenders of New Orleans.  For the Union, it caused  unfounded fears.

--Old B-Runner

CSS Louisiana-- Part 4: An Unprepared Ship Goes to War

Shortly after the Louisiana was launched, the Union fleet under Flag Officer (later Rear Admiral) David Farragut moved into the lower Mississippi River, threatening Forts Jackson and St. Philip.  The forts commanders urgently requested help from the Confederate fleet at New Orleans and, even though she was not yet finished, the Louisiana was commissioned

The Louisiana's engines had been installed, but the screw propellers hadn't and it was also found that the engines were too weak so the ship had to be towed down the river with workmen still aboard.   There, she was tied to  to the river bank a short distance above Fort St. Philip.

The ship's next problems came from the gun carriages being found to be either too high or too low and had to be modified.  Gun crews were unable to practice firing because of all the workmen tools on the deck, plus the crews were incomplete owing to the fast commissioning.  Soldiers had to be transferred from the forts.

After  nearly a week of bombardment from the Union mortar ships, Farragut determined it to be ineffective and  he moved his fleet past the forts on the night of April 24, 1862.

--Old B-Runner

A Quick Follow Up on James Alden and Did I See the Words Fort Fisher?

Yesterday, I wrote about this man's grave being at Portland, Maine's Eastern Cemetery, something I discovered while going through a list of American Revolution, War of 1812 and Civil War veterans buried at this historic cemetery.

Since he was also a Navy guy, that naturally piqued my interest.  It is more than just a gravestone, actually more of a 4-sided monument to him with four sides that towers over the other gravestones nearby.

It has four panels.

**  The first one also has a rendering of his face as well as birth/death dates and where they took place.

**  The second panel has a rendering of  a mariner's sextant and the  words:

Intrepid Explorer  /  Skillful Hydrographer  /  Cartographer  of the West Coast / Of the United States.

**  Panel 3:   Rendering of the Seal of the United States Navy

Entered the Navy April 1, 1828 / Commissioned Rear Admiral June 19, 1871.

**  Panel 4:  Rendering of sail warships in combat.

Mexican War / Civil War / New Orleans / Vicksburg / Port Hudson / Mobile Bay /  Fort Fisher.

Wait a minute, did I just see the words FORT FISHER?  Plus, that sure was a lot of major Civil War naval battles.

Well then, that sure makes my day, doesn't it?

And, then there's that famous Alden name.  I wonder if....   Could he have been related to that Pilgrim Alden?

So Happy.  --Old B-Runner

The Fall of New Orleans' Fort Jackson-- Part 4: 'The Crash of Splinters, the Explosions of Boilers and Magazines'

On April 12, 1862, the Union fleet fired a few test shots on Fort Jackson to calculate the distance.  Soon after that, the siege was on.  Because For St. Phillip was largely out of range of Farragut's fleet, the worst of the fire went to Fort Jackson.

An account that has been attributed to General Butler, but which was actually written by James Parton for his 1864 book "General Butler in New Orleans," described the bombardment thusly:

"The mere noise was an experience unique to the oldest officers -- Twenty mortars, a hundred and forty-two guns in the fleet, a hundred and twenty in the Forts, the crash of splinters,  the explosions of the boilers and magazines, the shouts and cries, the shrieks of scalded and drowning men; add to this, the belching flashes  of guns, burning rafts of burning steamboats, the river full of fire, and you have a picture of the battle that was all confined to Plaquemines Bend."

By April 27, the men of Fort Jackson had had enough and staged a mutiny.  A day later, Duncan surrendered.  That open the door to New Orleans and the fleet to make its way to it.

--Old B-Runner

Some More on Henry Walton Grinnell-- Part 1: Distinguished Service in U.S. Navy During the War, Then, On to the Japanese Navy

From prabook.

Was born in New York on November 19, 1943.  He spent three years (1858-1861) at the New York Free Academy (later the College of the City of New York) and then entered the U.S. Navy where he was appointed a mate in June 1862.  Then acting ensign in November 1862 and acting master 1864 and acting volunteer lieutenant in 1865.

While on board the USS Monongahela in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, he took part in the Battles of New Orleans and Mobile.  On November 18,1863, he distinguished himself while commanding a landing party that helped army units ashore.

After the war, while serving on the USS Susquehanna of the Asiatic Squadron, he declined appointment as an ensign in the regular navy and was honorably discharged July 25, 1868.

He accepted instead, a commission as a captain in the Imperial Japanese Navy and began training seamen at the Heigo Naval School.

--Old B-Runner

Henry Walton Grinnell-- Part 3: Served on USS Monongahela

From PraBook.

Henry Walton Grinnell was born  in New York on November 19, 1843, the son of Henry and Sarah Minturn Grinnell.

He spent three years at (1858-1861) at the New York Free Academy (later  the College of the City of Nerw York).

After the three years there, he entered the U.S. Navy.  Appointed Mate June 1862;  acting ensign November 1862; acting master 1864; and acting volunteer lieutenant , 1865.

On board the USS Monongahela of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, he took part in the Battles of New Orleans and Mobile Bay.  On November 18, 1863, he distinguished himself by his command of a landing party which materially aided the army.

--Old B-Runner

CSS/USS Diana-- Part 4: Captured By Union at New Orleans and Recaptured a Year Later

The Diana was reported to have escaped when the Union Navy under Admiral Farragut ran past forts Jackson and St. Philip on April 24, 1862, but was captured by the USS Cayuga on April 27th.

It was then used by Union forces at New Orleans on May 5 as a troop transport.  Then the Diana was assigned  to assist Federal ships at Berwick Bay before being sent to Grand Lake around March 28, 1863 to make a reconnaissance down the Atchafalaya River with two companies of infantry aboard
to Bayou Teche near Pattersonville.

Confederate shore batteries weer lying in ambush, however, and laid down a murderous fire from both artillery and sharpshooters.  The Diana had her tiller ropes shot away and her engine disabled.  This major damage caused the Diana to drift ashore where she was surrendered.

Also captured by the jubilant Confederates were 58 men from the 12th Connecticut and 20 from the 160th New York Infantry.

The Diana's commander, Acting Master T.L.  Peterson along with five other men were killed, and three  others were wounded in the two-hour action.

--Old B-Runner

William Henry Ward, CSN-- Part 2 Ironclad and Cruiser Duty

Captured at New Orleans in April 1862 and sent to Fort Warren as a prisoner for the second time in two years.

Exchanged after two months and proceeded to the Richmond Station for service aboard the CSS Richmond.

Applied for more active service and sent to Charleston Station to report for duty on the CSS Palmetto State in 1863.

Returned to the Richmond Station and shortly afterwards was sent to the Wilmington Station.

Next served as executive officer under Lt. John Taylor Wood on the cruiser CSS Tallahassee in 1864.

Subsequently transferred to the command of the cruiser CSS Chickamauga, December 1864.

--Old B-Runner

USS Norfolk Packet-- Part 1: Bought By Navy and at Battle of New Orleans

From Wikipedia.

Was a large schooner purchased by the U.S. Navy 10 September 1861 and commissioned  7 February 1862.

It was 108 feet long,  gad a 28.2-foot beam, was a sailing ship, crew of 40 and mounted a 13-inch mortar, two 32-pdr. guns and two 12-pdr. guns.

It was bought from George Goodspeed of New York City and converted for naval use by J. Engles at the New York Navy Yard.   First commander was Lt. Watson Smith.

Assigned to the mortar squadron of  Cmdr. David Dixon Porter and participated in Farragut's attack on New Orleans.  The flotilla moved into position on 16 April and the mortar ships pounded Forts Jackson and St. Philip below New Orleans. Farragut's ship ran past the forts and New Orleans surrendered the next day.

--Old B-Runner

A New Book on Farragut-- Part 2: Farragut and Porter

The fourth chapter tells the complicated and often competitive relationship between Farragut and his younger step brother, David Dixon Porter (1813-1891).

Both hated the Confederacy.  Serving together, with Porter as a subordinate, Farragut captured New Orleans in 1862.  The next year, in separate commands, the two were able to capture the Mississippi River by assisting the Army.

Then, Farragut  won the victory at the Battle of Mobile Bay, closing the Confederacy's last port on the Gulf of Mexico.  Farragut was offered command of the expedition to attack Fort Fisher but turned it down.  It was given to Porter who achieved his crowning moment with its capture.

Afterwards, both  honored as America's first full admirals., Farragut in 1866 and Porter in 1870.

The final chapter examines Farragut's only son, Loyall (1844-1916) who spent his life promoting and protecting his father's legacy.

Looks Like An Interesting Read.  --Old B-Runner

April 26,1862: Farragut Gives Thanks

APRIL 26TH, 1862:  Flag Officer Farragut, from his flagship USS Hartford, issued a general order after his victory at New Orleans:  "Eleven o'clock this morning is the hour appointed for all the officers and crews of the fleet to return thanks to Almighty God for His great goodness and mercy in permitting to us to pass through the events of the last two days with so little loss of life and blood,

"At that hour the church pennant will be hoisted on every vessel of the fleet, and their crews assembled in humiliation and prayer, make their acknowledgements therefor to the great dispenser of all human events."

--Old B-Runner

Farragut Runs Past Forts Jackson and St. Philip-- Part 2

APRIL 24TH, 1864:  The USS Varuna was rammed by two Confederate ships and sunk.  In the ensuing melee, the CSS Warrior, Stonewall Jackson, General Lovell, and Breckinridge, tender Phoenix, steamers Star and Belle Algerine and Louisiana gunboat General Quitman were destroyed.

The armored ram CSS Manassas was driven ashore by the USS Mississippi and sunk.  Steam tenders CSS Landis and W. Burton surrendered; Resolute and Governor Moore were destroyed to prevent capture.

"The destruction of the Navy at New Orleans," wrote Confederate Secretary of Navy Mallory, "was a sad, sad blow...."

When the Union Navy passed the forts and disposed of the Confederate forces afloat, the fate of New Orleans was decided.  Farragut had achieved a brilliant victory, one which gave true meaning to Farragut's own words:  "The great man in our country must not only plan but execute."

He Sure Did.  Now, On the Anniversary of This, the Confederate monuments in New Orleans Begin to Come Down.  A Double Sad Day in New Orleans History.  --Old B-R'er

April 24, 1862: Farragut Runs Past Forts Jackson and St. Philip-- Part 1

APRIL 24TH, 1862:  Flag Officer Farragut's fleet ran past Forts Jackson and St. Philip and engaged the defending Confederate flotilla.  At 2:00 a.m., the USS Hartford had shown Farragut's signal for the fleet to get underway in three divisions to steam through the breach in the obstructions which had been opened earlier by the USS Pinola and Itasca.

A withering fire from the forts was answered by roaring broadsides from the forts.  The Hartford grounded in the swift current by Fort St. Philip, was set afire by a Confederate firecraft.  Farragut's leadership and the disciplined training of the crew saved the flagship.

A Sad Day for the Confederacy.  April Was Not a Nice Month.  --Old B-Runner

April 23, 1862: News From Fort Jackson Under Bombardment

APRIL 23RD, 1862:  Brigadier General Duncan, the commander of Fort Jackson, wrote General Lowell in New Orleans:  "Heavy and continued bombardment all night, and still progressing.  No further casualties, except two men slightly wounded.

"God is certainly protecting us.  We are still cheerful, and have an abiding faith in our ultimate success.  We are making repairs as best we can.  Our barbette guns are still in working order.  Most of them have been disabled at times.

"The health of the troops continues good.  twenty-five thousand [actually about five thousand] XIII-inch shells have been fired by the enemy, thousands of which fell in the fort.  They must soon exhaust themselves; if not, we can stand it as long as they can."

Getting near the End, Though.  --Old B-R'er

February 10, 1862: Porter Gets His Mortar Flotilla

FEBRUARY 10TH, 1862:  Secretary of the Navy Welles forwarded to Commander D.D. Porter the names of 22 sailing vessels and 7 steamers which would comprise the Mortar Flotilla.

This potent force, to which would be added the USS Owasco, "as soon as she can be got ready," later conducted an intensive bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, preparatory to to Flag Officer Farragut's drive past these heavily fortified works on the way to New Orleans.

--Old B-R'er