Sewell's Point, Va., Shelled-- Part 2: A Plan to Attack the CSS Virginia

Whatever rumors President Lincoln had received about the Confederates abandoning Norfolk were now confirmed; a tug deserted from Norfolk and brought news that the evacuation was well underway and that the CSS Virginia and her accompanying small gunboats planned to proceed up the James River or York River.

It was planned that when the Virginia came out, as she had on the 7th, the Union fleet would retire with the USS Monitor in the rear hoping to draw the powerful but under-engined warship into deep water where she might be rammed by high speed steamers.

The bombardment showed that the defenses at Sewell's Point were reduced, but still powerful.

The Virginia came out, but not far enough to be rammed.

--More to Come.  --Old B-Runner

May 6-7, 1862: Action on the York and Pamunkey Rivers, Va.

MAY 6-7TH, 1862:  The USS Wachusett, Commander W. Smith, USS Chocura and Sebago escorted Army transports up the York River, supported the landing at West Point, Virginia, and countered a Confederate attack with accurate gunfire.

The USS Currituck, Acting master William F. Shankland, sent on a reconnaissance of the Pamunkey River by Smith on the 6th, captured the American Coaster and Planter the next day.

Shankland reported that some twenty schooners had been sunk and two gunboats burned by the Confederates above West Point.

--Old B-Runner

April 8, 1862: Lee Believes McClellan's Army Shifting Operations to the York River

APRIL 8TH, 1862:  General Robert E. Lee wrote Confederate Secretary of Navy Mallory:  "...it is my opinion that they [General McClellan's army] are endeavoring to change their base of operations from the James River to the York River.

"This change has no doubt been occasioned by their fear of the effect of the Virginia upon their shipping in the James.  General Magruder informs me that their gunboats and transports have appeared off Shipping Point, on the Poquosin, near the mouth of the York, where they intend, apparently, to establish a landing for stores, preparatory to moving against our lines at Yorktown."

That Scary Old CSS Virginia.  --Old B-Runner

April 2, 1862: McClellan Wants Navy Cooperation in His Peninsular Campaign

APRIL 2ND, 1862:  General McClellan and his staff arrived at Fort Monroe on board the steamer Commodore.  In the Peninsular Campaign to capture Richmond, McClellan intended to take full advantage of Union sea power for logistic support and offensive operations.

He wrote:  "Effective naval cooperation will shorten this operation by weeks."

He proposed to outflank Confederate defenders by water movements up the James and York rivers supported by the Navy.

The ominous presence of the CSS Virginia at the mouth of the James River dictated that Flag Officer L.M. Goldsborough keep his main naval strength at Hampton Roads alerted against future attacks by the Confederate ironclad.

Union gunboats frequently bombarded Yorktown, under siege by McClellan's army, until the city was evacuated on 3 May.

--Pld B-R'er

Grant Want Navy Help in Virginia

MARCH 14TH, 1865:  Having dispatched a large number of troops to White House, Virginia, General Grant requested the Navy to send additional gunboats into the York and Pamunkey rivers "to keep open free navigation between White House and the mouth of York River."

Commodore Radford replied at once: "Will send vessels required immediately."  The USS Shawmut and Commodore Morris were detailed for the duty which, like control of the waters of the James, assured the Army of rapid communication and logistic support.

--Old B-Runner