Patrick Mullen's Two Medals of Honor-- Part 2 on the USS Don

Patrick Mullen was part of a  cutter crew  during a boat expedition when it came under heavy attack by a few hundred Confederates.  According to his citation,  he helped his commanding officer by taking charge of the boat's only howitzer.  

Lying on his back, Mullen loaded the weapon and expertly fired it at the enemy, killing and wounding several of them.   The blast  led to a Confederate retreat, which saved the lives of his comrades.

Mullen earned his second Medal of Honor just six weeks later.  However, he earned it after the war was over, which officially ended April 9, 1865.  (It actually did not end on April 9th which was the surrender of Lee's army.  Confederate armies were still in the field at the time.)

This time. Mullen was on the USS Don, a captured British blockade runner that was now patrolling the Potomac River.  On May 1, 1865, the Don attempted to pick up the crew of a smaller vessel, Picket Launch No. 6, which had begun to fill with water.

And, then....

--Old B-Runner

The Surrender of Lee to Grant-- Part 3

After conversing about their Mexican War experiences, Lee asked for the terms upon which his surrender would be accepted.  Grant replied:  "The terms I propose are those stated substantially in my letter of yesterday, --that is, the officers and men surrendered to be paroled and disqualified from taking up arms again until properly exchanged, and all arms, ammunition and supplies to be delivered up as captured property."

Lee agreed to the terms and Grant then wrote them out.  He specifically provided that Confederate officers would be permitted to keep their side arms, horses and luggage.  This exemption was further broadened at Lee's suggestion, to permit the men in the ranks to retain their horses and mules.

Lee observed that these exemptions "were very gratifying and will do much toward conciliating our people."

The long and bitter war was ending ashore, although fiery drama still awaited in far off Northern seas (CSS Shenandoah).

--Old B-R'er

The Surrender of Lee to Grant-- Part 2

The contrast between the two Generals at the confrontation in the living room of the McLean Hose was most striking.  Grant's mud-splattered uniform was that of a private with only the shoulder straps of a Lieutenant General to designate his rank.  His uniform was unbuttoned at the neck and was unadorned by either sword or spurs.

Lee, on the other hand, had taken special pains for his last act of the drama a sif dressing for execution.  His uniform was immaculate, his jewel studded sword of the finest workmanship.  His well-polished boots were ornamented with red stitching and set off by a handsome pair of spurs.

--Old B-Runner

Surrender of Lee to Grant-- Part 1

APRIL 9, 1865:  General Lee met General Grant at Appomattox Court House and formally surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia.  Tear Admiral Semmes and his naval brigade, charged with the defense of Danville were included in the surrender.

Lee's struggle to break free from Grant's overwhelming army, well-fed and supplied from City Point, had failed.  His effort to join Johnston, hopefully far enough from the sea to limit Grant's logistical naval superiority, had come fatefully to an end.

One of the greatest armies and leaders of history without an adequate Navy had succumbed to the united power of land and sea.

--Old B-R'er