Some Confusion With Today's Ship Island Incident

In the earlier post, I wrote about the Union steamer Mist being captured by Confederate guerrillas at Ship Island, Mississippi. I know their is a bearier island of the Mississippi coast by that name with Fort Massachusetts on it. But, considering the small size of the island, a Union fort and naval base there, I kind of doubt that there were any Confederate guerrilla operations on it.

Now, what would have made more sense was a Ship Island somewhere along the Mississippi River, or perhaps another state of Mississippi river being attacked by guerrillas. But, I was unable to come up with another Ship Island during my search.

Perhaps this was a mistake in the CWNC. --Old B-R'er

Fort Massachusetts

From Wikipedia.

Located on West Ship Island, Mississippi.   Built from 1859 to 1861 and in use until 1903.

Confederates occupied it at first, then the Union.  At one time, during the Civil War, as many as 18,000 Union troops were stationed at it.  More than 230 died there and are buried.  Many of those were reburied at Chalmette National Cemetery in New Orleans.

During the war, the Union Navy used the island as a base for supplies and repairs.

The 1st Louisiana Native Guard, one of the first black regiments formed was stationed at the fort for about three years.

The fort was unfinished at the start of the war, but after Union occupation, it resumed.

It was never officially named, but usually called Fort Massachusetts. probably after the ship that I recently posted about.

Bricks for the fort came from Louisiana before the war, but after the outbreak they came from New England, then from Louisiana again after 1865.  Today you will notice the distinct color differences of the different bricks.

A Little-Known Fort.  --Old B-R'er