Depot Key-- Part 5: In the Civil War

During the Civil War, Confederate agents extinguished the light at Seahorse Key and removed the sperm oil supply.

The USS Hatteras raided Cedar Keys in June 1862 and burned several ships laden with cotton and turpentine and then destroyed the railroad's rolling stock and buildings in Way Key,  Most of the Confederate troops who had been guarding the area had left for Fernandina because of an anticipated Federal attack on that place.

Cedar Key became an important source of salt for the Confederacy.  In October 1862, (see previous post) Union ships raided and destroyed 60 kettles on Salt Key capable of producing 150 bushels of salt a day.

Union forces occupied Cedar Key in 1864 and remained until the end of the war.

--Old B-Runner

Depot Key-- Part 4: Development and "Pencil" Mills

Several people received permits to settle Depot Key, Way Key and Scale Key.  Augustus Steele received a permit for Depot Key and renamed it Atsena Otie Key.  The City of Atsena Otie was chartered in 1859.  It became an important port for lumber and naval stores.

By 1850, there were two mills producing cedar "slats" for Northern pencil factories and Congress appropriated funds to build a lighthouse on Seahorse Key which was completed in 1854.

In 1860, Cedar Key became the western terminal of the Florida Rail Road connecting Fernandina on the east coast of the state.  David Levy Yulee, U.S. Senator and president of the Florida Rail Road acquired most of Way Key to house the railroad terminal facilities.

A town was platted for Way Key and the Parsons and Hale's General Store, still standing and now the Island Hotel, was built in the same year.

--Old B-R'er

March 3, 1862-- Part 3: Entire Georgia Coast Under Control of Union Navy

This operation at Fernandina placed the entire Georgia coast actually in possession or under the control of the Union Navy.

Du Pont wrote Senator Grimes three days later that: "The victory was bloodless, but most complete in results."

Du Pont also noted that:  "The most curious feature of the operations was the chase of a train of cars by a gunboat for a mile and a half -- two soldiers were killed, the passengers rushed out in the woods...."

The expedition was a prime example of sea-land mobility of what General Robert E. Lee meant when he said:  "Against ordinary numbers we are pretty strong, but against the hosts our enemies seem able to bring everywhere, there is no calculating."

--Old B-R'er

March 3, 1862-- Part 2: Capture of Military Supplies and Cooperation Between Services

Commander Drayton on board the Ottawa took a moving train under fire with military stores.  Launches under Commander C.R.P. Rodgers captured the steamer Darlington with a cargo of military stores.

Du Pont had only the highest praise for his association with Brigadier General Wright, commanding the brigade of troops on the expedition:  "Our plans of action have been matured by mutual consultation, and have been carried into execution by mutual help."

--Old B-Runner

March 3, 1862-- Part 1: Capture of Cumberland Island and St. Mary's

MARCH 3RD, 1862:  Flag Officer Du Pont, commanding the joint amphibious expedition to Fernandina, Florida, reported to Secretary of Navy Welles that he was "in full possession of Cumberland Island and Sound, of Fernandina and Amelia Island, and the river and town of St. Mary's."

Confederate defenders were in the process of withdrawing heavy guns inland and offered only token resistance.

Fort Clinch on Amelia Island was occupied by an armed boat crew from the USS Ottawa.  It had been seized by Confederates at the beginning of the war and had thus become the first formely-held U.S. fort to be retaken.

--Old B-R'er

USS Penguin-- Part 5: To the West Gulf Blockading Squadron 1863-1865

The USS Penguin was involved with the occupation of Port Royal, South Carolina on 7 November 1861 and the capture of Fernandina, Florida, and Brunswick, St. Simon and Jeckyl Islands, Georgia 2-22 March 1862.

It was then in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron 1863-1865.

Ships the Penguin captured:  Louisa 11 August 1861, Albion 25 November 1861, steamer Matagorda 8 July 1864, steamer Granite City 21 January 1865.

After decommissioning, the Penguin became the merchant ship Florida before being converted into a schooner.  It was abandoned in 1803.

--Old B-Runner