Charles K. Mallory, CSN-- Part 2: His death on the CSS Chatahoochee

Captain Parker of the Confederate States Navy also had this to say about young midshipman Mallory:  "After serving with me in three engagements, he was ordered to the gunboat Chattahoochee, at Columbus, Georgia, and lost his life by the explosion of her boiler.

"He was from Hampton and was an honor to his birthplace.  Had he lived and had the opportunity he would have become a great naval officer."

After the explosion, young Mallory, although badly  injured, swam ashore, but died after in the Ladies' Hospital, Columbus, June 2d, 1863, at age of eighteen and a half.  

He was, of course, unmarried.

--Old B-R'er

Some More on the CSS Chattahoochee-- Part 2: Half Recovered

From 1990 report "CSS Chattahoochee:  An Investigation  of the Remains of a Confederate Gunboat" by Gordon P. Watts and Wes Hall.

In the Spring of 1865, the Confederate gunboat CSS Chattahoochee  was scuttled and burned in the Chattahoochee River, just south of Columbus, Georgia.  During the Civil War Centennial the vessel's remains were relocated and the stern of the warship salvaged and preserved at the James W. Woodruff, Jr., Confederate Naval Museum  in Columbus.

In 1984, East Carolina University and the Naval Museum cosponsored an investigation designed to relocate the Chattahoochee, determine the amount of surviving hull structure, and assess the potential for additional research, recovery and exhibition.

--Old B-R'er

Some More on the CSS Chattahooche

From the June 6, 2023, Georgia Public Radio "Are sunken ships from the Civil War still lying in the Chattahoochee?  What a historian says"  by Kelby Hutchinson.

During the Battle of Columbus (Georgia) on April 16, 1865 (Lee had surrendered in Virginia on April 9), two Confederate warships were destroyed.  One was the ironclad CSS Jackson (also called the CSS Muscogee).  The other was the CSS Chattahoochee.

Part of the CSS Chattahoochee still remains at the bottom of its namesake river.  The bow end is still somewhere down below.  The National Civil War Naval Museum is in possession of the stern portion.  The ship was set on fire by its own crew to prevent it falling into enemy hands.

In 1984, East Carolina University and the Confederate Naval Museum (as the National Civil War Naval Museum was then known as) set out to locate the remains of the Chattahoochee, determine its condition and figure out its potential for research, recovery and exhibition.

That report in next post.

The CSS Chattahoochee, Certainly a Hard-Luck Ship.  --Old B-R'er

Sailors on the CSS Chattahoochee Buried in Columbus, Georgia

John Julius Guthrie also commanded the CSS Chattahoochee and was in charge of the ship when its boiler exploded on June 1, 1863.  

These are Confederate naval personnel buried at Linwood Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia.

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CORNELIUS DUFFY

Of Apalachicola died June 1, 1863, in Columbus, as a result of the CSS Chattahoochee's boiler explosion.  He was born either 1833 or 1836, depending on census or  enlistment data.

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JOHN DUNLOP

(Sometimes spelled Dunlap)

CSS Virginia & Chattahoochee.  Died  September 2, 1862,  in Soldier's Home, Columbus.

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JOHN W. CATLETT

Landsman.  Born Florida c. 1841.  Died Columbus, GA.  hospital Feb. 20, 1864, while assigned to the CSS Chattahoochee.

--Old B-R'er

February 6, 1865: About a New Ironclad at Wilmington, N.C.

FEBRUARY 6TH, 1865:  Secretary Mallory wrote General Braxton Bragg at Wilmington, North Carolina that Chief Naval Constructor John L. Porter had advised him that a new Confederate vessel could be completed within 90 days.

Machinery for the ship was available at Columbus, Georgia, but Mallory sought assurance that Wilmington would be held long enough for the machinery to be transported and the ship built so that it could get into action.

On the 8th, Bragg replied:  "This place will be held so long as our means enable us.  There is no indication of any movement against it, and our means of defense are improving."

However, Rear Admiral Porter and General Grant had other plans; Wilmington would be evacuated exactly two weeks later.

That ship Mallory was talking about was most likely the CSS Wilmington, which was destroyed on the stocks with the fall of Wilmington.

--Old B-Runner

Ironclad CSS Jackson and CSS Chattahoochee Destroyed at Columbus, Georgia

APRIL 17TH, 1865:  The Confederate ironclad Jackson (previously CSS Muscogee) was destroyed at Columbus, Georgia, after Union forces overran Southern defenses at the city in an attack that began the preceding night.

Major General George H. Thomas reported:  "The rebel ram Jackson, nearly ready for sea, and carrying six 7-inch [rifled] guns, fell into our hands and was destroyed, as well as the navy yard, founderies, the arsenal and armory, sword and pistol factory... all of which were burned."

Twelve miles below the city the Union troops found the burned hulk of CSS Chattahoochee, which the Confederates themselves had destroyed.  The navy yard at Columbus had been a key facility in the building of machinery for Southern ironclads.

--Old B-Runner

A New Confederate Warship for Wilmington?

FEBRUARY 6TH, 1865:  Secretary Mallory wrote General Braxton Bragg in Wilmington that Chief Naval Constructor John L. Porter had advised him that a new Confederate vessel could be completed in 90 days.  Machinery for the ship was available at Columbus, Georgia, but Mallory sought assurance from Bragg that Wilmington could be held long enough for the machinery to be transported and the ship built.

On the 8th, Bragg replied: "This place will be held so long as our means enable us.  There is no indication of any movement against it, and our means of defense are improving."

However, Rear Admiral Porter and General Grant had other plans; Wilmington would be evacuated exactly two weeks later.

Well, Bragg, You Know.  --Old B-R'er

150 Years Ago-- February 26th to 27th, 1864: CSS Muscogee

FEBRUARY 26-27TH, 1864: Boat expedition from the USS Tahoma destroyed a large Confederate government salt works on Goose Creek near St. Marks, Florida. //// FEBRUARY 27TH, 1864: The USS Roebuck seized British blockade-running sloop Nina with cargo of liquors and coffee and schooner Rebel with cargo of salt, liquor and cotton at Indian Inlet, Florida. //// Lt. David Porter McCorkle, CSN, wrote Catesby ap R. Jones about the progress on the CSS Muscogee at the Columbus, Georgia, naval station: "The Muscogee draws too much water; she has to be altered. It will be a long time before the Muscogee will be ready...." On 16 March, the editor of the Columbus, Georgia, Enquirer bitterly invited the public to "take a stroll below the wharf to see how much money has been wasted on a slanting 'discular looking craft." The Muscogee looked like an ark, and "nothing short of a flood will float it." //// --Old B-Runner

Black in Blue: Blacks in the Navy

From the Feb. 19th Columbus (Ga) WTVM 9 News "Black In Blue" African Americans in the Civil War Navies" by Brittany Dionne.

A history program was held at the Natinal Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia, about three people.

Moses Dallas was a nominal slave (new term for me). Owner, Mrs. Elbert, gave him papers and he could live where he wanted, negotiate his own contracts and keep the money he earned. He loved being a pilot for ships so remained a slave because of a Georgia law which did not allow a free black to be a pilot. A slave, however, could be one.

He had used the money he earned to buy the freedom of his wife and daughter and worked in the Confederate Navy for three years before piloting the expedition to capture the USS Water Witch in which he and five others were killed.

The Confederate Navy had full military honors at his funeral and paid for it, but his last paycheck was sent to Mrs. Elbert and not his widow.

Now, This Is An Interesting Story. --Old B-Runer

USS/CSS Water Witch Event in Columbus, Georgia

From the Columbus (Ga) Ledger-Examiner "Port Columbus has a special Water Witch event next month" b Sandra Okamoto.

OK, this is a bit old, but of interest.

On June 3, 1864, the USS Water Witch was captured by Confederates. The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus at 1002 Victory Drive in the city has a full-sized replica of that ship now, and from 6:30 to 9:30 PM June 3-4, there will be a recreation of that capture.

This will be real time in that events from that night in 1864 will take place at the same time.

There will be a Columbus connection to the even. An actress will play the role of former slave Harriet Dallas, whose husband was killed in the raid. That would make him black as well and involved in the Confederate attack.

The program is "Two Navies, One Ship" and will be a multi-media presentation of the ship's story.

There will also be a program in the museum theater and actors portraying four people involved with the attack, including Mrs. Dallas.

Admission is $5 to $6.50.

Wish I Had Been There. --Old B-R'er