It's About Time for William Cushing to Get His Due: The Medal of Honor

This month, William Cushing's brother, Alonzo H. Cushing, will be receiving the long-delayed Medal of Honor for his heroic deeds at the Battle of Gettysburg during Pickett's Charge on July 3, 1863, which cost him his life.  It is well-deserved.

But, perhaps now it would be appropriate to also give one to William Cushing, if, for no other reason than his sinking of the Confederate ram CSS Albemarle.  In addition, there were his numerous reconnaissance missions around Wilmington, North Carolina, any one of which could have easily resulted in his death or capture.

And for that matter, perhaps one for John Woodman.

--Old B-R'er

Sinking of the CSS Albemarle-- Part 7

The Albemarle, a gaping hole in her port quarter, began to sink rapidly.  Lt. Warley, commanding the Albemarle, reported: "The water gained on us so fast that all exertions were fruitless, and the vessel went down in a few moments, merely leaving her shield and smokestack out."

Cushing found his own boat sinking but, refusing to surrender in the midst of the enemy, ordered his men to save themselves and started to swim for shore.  Although he had exploded the torpedo virtually staring down the muzzle of Albemarle's gun, he was miraculously unharmed.  (And considering all of his exploits, this was one very lucky man.

Making for shore, he tried to save the gallant John Woodman, who was unable to swim any longer, but Woodman sank.  Cushing finally pulled himself  half onto the bank and lay exhausted until morning.  Finding himself near a Confederate picket station, he managed to seize a skiff and rowed the eight miles downstream to Albemarle Sound.  There, he was picked up by the USS Valley City.

One Brave Expedition.  --Old B-Runner

The Sinking of the CSS Albemarle-- Part 3

Cushing's imaginative attack seemed at first doomed to failure.  He departed the night of 26 October, but grounded at the mouth of the Roanoke River, and spend most of the hours of darkness freeing his craft.  The attempt to sink the Albemarle was put off until 27 October.

That night was dark and foul.  Cushing was accompanied by fourteen men, an additional seven having been recruited from the other ships.  Among them was his old companion, Acting Master's Mate William L. Howorth, and that veteran of several reconnaissance expeditions up the Roanoke River, Acting Master's Mate John Woodman.

--Old B-Runner

Woodman At It Again in North Carolina

OCTOBER 15TH, 1864:  Acting Master's Mate John Woodman completed his third daring and successful reconnaissance of the Confederate position at Plymouth, North Carolina, reporting that the CSS Albemarle moored at the wharf as before, and the apparent abandonment of efforts to raise the captured steamer USS Southfield.

This information enabled Lt. William Cushing to sink the Albemarle later in the month.

Another Brave Union Officer.  --Old B-R'er

Another Union Reconnaissance Up the Roanoke River to Check on the Albemarle

AUGUST 23RD, 1864:  Acting Masters' Mate John Woodman made his second dangerous reconnaissance up the Roanoke River, N.C., to gather intelligence on the CSS Albemarle and the defenses of Plymouth.

Woodman reported:  "At 10 a.m. I arrived on the Roanoke River, opposite Plymouth.  The ram Albemarle was lying alongside of the wharf at Plymouth, protected by timbers, extending completely around her...."

Woodman, who would make yet another reconnaissance mission, gained much vital information upon which Lt. Cushing planned the expedition that ended the Albemarle's service to the Confederacy.

--Old B-R'er

Keeping an Eye on the CSS Albemarle

JULY 25TH, 1864:  As Union Naval forces in Albemarle Sound, NC, kept a close watch on the powerful ram CSS Albemarle, Acting master's Mate John Woodman with three men made the first of his three daring reconnaissances up the Roanoke River to Plymouth, North Carolina.

Reported Woodman:  "The town appeared very quiet; very few persons were moving about; I could hear the blacksmiths and carpenters at work in the town near the river."

The ram, he added, was "lying at the wharf near the steam sawmill."

The danger posed by the Albemarle was a prime Union concern for several more months until Cushing took it out.  It prevented Union operations along the river.

Sounds Like a Cushing Sort of Thing.  --Old B-Runner