George Campbell Read, USN War of 1812 to the Civil War

I have written about this man's life in my Not So Forgotten:  War of 1812 blog.  He was in the service for a real long time from actions in the War of 1812 and was still in the Navy when the Civil War began, during which he was raised in tank to rear admiral.

I will give a short account of his life here, but for more, go to the Not So Forgotten blog, which you can reach by going to the My Blogs list to the right of this and scrolling down to the Not So Forgotten blog.  The entries about Read are from March 12 to 15, 2021.

During the War of 1812, George Read was on the USS Constitution when she defeated the HMS Guerriere and received that ship's surrender.  He was also aboard the USS United States when it captured the HMS Macedonian later in 1812.  (The United States was captured when Norfolk was captured by Confederates in 1861 and later became the CSS United States.)

He married the daughter of American Revolution hero Richard Dale who was second in command of the Bon Homme Richard in John Paul Jones' epic fight.

Afterwards, he saw service in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Africa and the Philadelphia Navy Yard.  He did not see any active duty service during the Civil because of his age.

--Old B-Runner

George Nicholas Hollins, CSN-- Part 2: War of 1812 Service

From Find-a-Grave

Captain George Nicholas Hollis Sr.  Born Baltimore September 20, 1799.  Died January 18, 1878, in Baltimore.

During the War of 1812, he was on the USS Erie and the defenses of Washington, D.C.  He was also on the USS President and served under Commander Stephen Decatur and was captured by the British on January 15, 1815.  Then he was a POW in Bermuda until the war ended a month later.

Returning to Navy service, he served under Decatur during the Second Barbary War.  Commissioned lieutenant in 1825 and was a commander during the Mexican War.

He was also commandant of Sackets Harbor (NY) Navy Yard from 1854 to 1855 and then ordered to the Mediterranean Sea and commanded the USS Susquehanna.

--Old B-R'er

U.S. Navy Still Had to Keep Up Appearances in the World

JANUARY 28TH, 1864:

Captain Henry S. Stellwagen, commanding the USS Constellation, reported from Naples, Italy: "It is my pleasant duty to inform you of the continued [friendly] demonstration of ruling powers and people of the Kingdom of Italy toward our country and officers."

The problem of blockading the hazardous Confederate coasts and running down commerce raiders meant that steam-powered ships were needed at these stations. Sailing ships took their places on foreign stations. The old USS Constellation was based in the Mediterranean, USS St. Louis west of Gibraltar on the trade routes and USS Jamestown in the East Indies. They were available to escort ships and act as a deterrent to the raiders.

These Old Navy veterans did much for protecting American interests abroad and maintaining national prestige.

--Old B-Runner

The United States' Mediterranean Squadron-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Until I mentioned the USS Constellation being in the Mediterranean Squadron during the Civil War, i was completely unaware that there was one.  So, I had to do some research.

It was also called the Mediterranean Station and formed in response to the Barbary Wars.  In the 1820s to 1860s, it primarily was used to suppress piracy from Greece and to use Gunboat Diplomacy (The Big Stick).

The USS Constellation, the last all sail frigate,  was sent to its duty in 1855.  In the Civil War years it mounted sixteen 8-inch shell guns, four 32-pdr. guns, one 30-pdr. Parrot pivot rifle and a 20-pdr. Parrott pivot rifle.

In 1865, it was renamed the European Squadron.  From July 1865 to 1867, Rear Admiral Louis M. Goldsborough commanded it from the USS Colorado.

More to Come.  --Old B-Runner

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: Oct. 31st to November 3rd, 1862-- Pooks and Improvising the Cartridge Bags

OCTOBER 31ST TO NOVEMBER 7TH

Naval expedition of USS Hetzel, Commodore Perry, Hunchback, Valley City and Army gunboat Vidette, opened fire on Confederate encampment at Plymouth, NC, forcing them to retreat.  Then the expedition was ordered to meet Gen. John G. Foster at Williamston on Nov. 3rd to support Army assault on Hamilton, NC.  Nov. 4th, Confederates evacuated Hamilton and troops took possession.

Then, an Army attack on Tarboro failed.  The Union fleet transported 300 sick and wounded soldiers back to Williamston.

NOVEMBER 2ND

Rear Admiral Porter writes Fox seeking authority over the Ellett rams in western waters.  They were needed badly because the "The old 'Pook Turtles' are only fit for fighting--they can not get along against the current without a tow."  Fox agreed and took it to Lincoln who also agreed and on November 7th, all war vessels on the Mississippi transferred to the Navy.  This provided much greater efficiency for operations there.

CSS Alabama captured and burned whaling ship Levi Starbuck near Bermuda.


NOVEMBER 3RD

The CSS Cotton and shore batteries engaged4 Union ships at Berwick Bay, Louisiana and caused considerable damage to them until the Cotton ran out of cartridge bags forced the Confederate ship to withdraw.  The Cotton's commander reported that the final shots were fired using the legs of his men's pants as improvised cartridge bags.

Commander Henry Thatcher wrote Fox about the cruise of the historic USS Constellation in the Mediterranean Sea and requested more ships at that station to make other countries think the US Navy is stronger and can spare ships from the blockade.  Also, he wanted them in case a Confederate cruiser slipped into that body of water.

I kind of doubt that he got more ships.

The USS Penobscot, Cmdr. Clitz, destroyed b-r British ship Pathfinder after forcing it aground off Shallotte Inlet, NC.

Old B-Runner