From the March 15, 2012 Spokane (Wash.) Examiner by Joe Newby.
On March 11, 1862, Union General Burnside and 12,000 men began a movement up the Neuse River to Slocum's Creek which they reached the next day and landed on the south bank.
Three brigades of infantry with six boat howitzers and two rifled Wizard cannons then began a march on New Bern.
The Confederate opposition consisted of 4,500 untrained, ill-equipped soldiers commanded by General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch, a politician with little military experience.
On March 14th, the Union forces began their attack and were successful, capturing nine forts and 41 heavy guns. The 26th North Carolina distinguished itself, holding off the superior Union force for a length of time.
New Bern became a federal base for the rest of the war despite several Confederate attempts to retake it.
Another Confederate City, Gone. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Queen of the West-- Part 5: Capture
The new pilot ran the Queen of the West aground by Confederate Fort DeRussey. The bombardment was intense and Charles Rivers Ellet and his crew were forced to abandon the ship and float downstream on cotton bales.
Confederates repaired the ship and ten days later, the CSS Queen of the West helped capture the USS Indianola. On April 11, 1863, it engaged Union gunboats on the Atchafalaya River and a shell from the USSCalhoun set the Queen of the West's cotton (used for protection) on fire. It then drifted downstream for several hours before running aground and then blowing up.
Charles Rivers Ellet later commanded the ram Switzerland, then infantry from the Marine Brigade before dying of disease October 29, 1863.
The Story of a Boat. --Old B-Runner
Confederates repaired the ship and ten days later, the CSS Queen of the West helped capture the USS Indianola. On April 11, 1863, it engaged Union gunboats on the Atchafalaya River and a shell from the USSCalhoun set the Queen of the West's cotton (used for protection) on fire. It then drifted downstream for several hours before running aground and then blowing up.
Charles Rivers Ellet later commanded the ram Switzerland, then infantry from the Marine Brigade before dying of disease October 29, 1863.
The Story of a Boat. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The Queen of the West-- Part 4: River Actions Below Vicksburg
The Queen of the West ran past the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg and destroyed the CSS City of Vicksburg in the process. That put pressure on the Confederates at Port Hudson, south of Vicksburg and they destroyed three vessels to prevent their capture.
On February 12th, the Queen of the West steamed up the Atchafalaya River, a tributary of the Red River and destroyed wagons, supplies and burned houses in retaliation for the wounding of a Union officer.
On February 13th, the Union ironclad Indianola ran past Vicksburg to protect the Queen of the West. The two ships then steamed fifteen miles upriver to the mouth of the Black River (a Red River tributary and on the 14th captured the steamer Era No. 5 with a cargo of corn. Here, Ellet heard there were other Confederate ships farther upriver.
His pilot had fallen ill and he got a replacement who was probably a Southern sympathizer.
Bad Things In Store for the Queen. -- Old B-R'er
On February 12th, the Queen of the West steamed up the Atchafalaya River, a tributary of the Red River and destroyed wagons, supplies and burned houses in retaliation for the wounding of a Union officer.
On February 13th, the Union ironclad Indianola ran past Vicksburg to protect the Queen of the West. The two ships then steamed fifteen miles upriver to the mouth of the Black River (a Red River tributary and on the 14th captured the steamer Era No. 5 with a cargo of corn. Here, Ellet heard there were other Confederate ships farther upriver.
His pilot had fallen ill and he got a replacement who was probably a Southern sympathizer.
Bad Things In Store for the Queen. -- Old B-R'er
The Queen of the West-- Part 3
The Queen of the West also traded shots with the Confederate ironclad CSS Arkansas. On October, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles reorganized the Western Flotilla, naming it the Mississippi Squadron under the command of David Dixon Porter.
In November, the ram fleet was transferred to the Navy from the Army by Lincoln (which would explain why a colonel would be commanding a warship). But the rams more or less continued to operate independently of the Navy control.
Early in 1863, Porter formed the Mississippi Marine Brigade intended to fight Confederate guerrillas who were a major problem. It consisted of 350 men under Army command, artillery and cavalry. They were ferried by the rams which were under Navy command. But the officers remained Army.
Charles Ellet's brother, Alfred was appointed brigadier general and placed in command of the brigade. Charles Rivers Ellet, his nephew, was placed in command of the Queen of the West.
Old B-Runner
In November, the ram fleet was transferred to the Navy from the Army by Lincoln (which would explain why a colonel would be commanding a warship). But the rams more or less continued to operate independently of the Navy control.
Early in 1863, Porter formed the Mississippi Marine Brigade intended to fight Confederate guerrillas who were a major problem. It consisted of 350 men under Army command, artillery and cavalry. They were ferried by the rams which were under Navy command. But the officers remained Army.
Charles Ellet's brother, Alfred was appointed brigadier general and placed in command of the brigade. Charles Rivers Ellet, his nephew, was placed in command of the Queen of the West.
Old B-Runner
Monday, April 15, 2013
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 15th to 18th-- Running Past Vicksburg
APRIL 15TH
CSS Alabama captured whalers Kate Cory and Lafayette off Brazil
USS Monticello captured the schooner Odd Fellow near Little River, NC, with cargo of turpentine and rosin.
APRIL 16-17
Porter's gunboats, shepherding Army transports, ran past Vicksburg to New Carthage. Each ship also towed a coal barge. There was some damage, but all repaired in a half hour.
APRIL 17TH
CSS Florida, Lt. Maffitt, captured and destroyed ship Commonwealth off coast of Brazil (so there were two Confederate commerce raiders off Brazil at this time.
APRIL 18TH
Boat expedition to reconnoiter Sabine City, Texas, surprised at the lighthouse and driven off.
Old B-Runner
CSS Alabama captured whalers Kate Cory and Lafayette off Brazil
USS Monticello captured the schooner Odd Fellow near Little River, NC, with cargo of turpentine and rosin.
APRIL 16-17
Porter's gunboats, shepherding Army transports, ran past Vicksburg to New Carthage. Each ship also towed a coal barge. There was some damage, but all repaired in a half hour.
APRIL 17TH
CSS Florida, Lt. Maffitt, captured and destroyed ship Commonwealth off coast of Brazil (so there were two Confederate commerce raiders off Brazil at this time.
APRIL 18TH
Boat expedition to reconnoiter Sabine City, Texas, surprised at the lighthouse and driven off.
Old B-Runner
The Queen of the West: Charles Ellet Jr.'s Rams-- Part 2
Charles Ellet, Jr. (Charles Rivers Ellet's father) was an early proponent of the ancient ram as a weapon, but didn't get any support until the CSS Virginia rammed and sank the USS Cumberland. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton met with him and made him a colonel, authorizing him to purchase and outfit steam vessels for use in military (Army) rams.
Ellet bought seven of the fastest vessels he could find on the Ohio River and enlisted twelve family members, including his son, Charles Rivers (good middle name as it turned out).
The Queen of the West was built in Cincinnati in 1854 and weighed 406 tons and was 181 feet long. I was retrofitted with solid oak bulkheads and other protection was added. Four guns were mounted, but the ship's main weapon was to be its reinforced ram at its bow. To further make the ship look menacing, it was painted all black.
In its first action, in June 1862, the Queen of the West and the Monarch jumped ahead of the Union fleet and destroyed all but one of the eight Confederate ships at Memphis. But, Charles Ellet was mortally wounded and died two weeks later.
Watch Out for Those Rams. --Old B-R'er
Ellet bought seven of the fastest vessels he could find on the Ohio River and enlisted twelve family members, including his son, Charles Rivers (good middle name as it turned out).
The Queen of the West was built in Cincinnati in 1854 and weighed 406 tons and was 181 feet long. I was retrofitted with solid oak bulkheads and other protection was added. Four guns were mounted, but the ship's main weapon was to be its reinforced ram at its bow. To further make the ship look menacing, it was painted all black.
In its first action, in June 1862, the Queen of the West and the Monarch jumped ahead of the Union fleet and destroyed all but one of the eight Confederate ships at Memphis. But, Charles Ellet was mortally wounded and died two weeks later.
Watch Out for Those Rams. --Old B-R'er
Queen of the West: Charles Rivers Ellet-- Part 1
From the February 13, 2013 New York Times Opinionator by Rick Beard.
Charles Rivers Ellet was one of the Union's youngest colonels at age 19. A Feb. 2, 1863 report of Rear Admiral D.D. Porter said "the kind of man I like to command" a "gallant and daring officer" who will undertake anything I wish him to without asking questions. But, he added, "The only trouble I have is to hold him in and keep him out of trouble." He essentially was the army's counterpart to the Navy's William Cushing on the Atlantic coast.
That same day he had ordered Ellet to take the Queen of the West past Vicksburg and to reconnoiter the lower Red River and destroy any Confederate ships he encountered.
The young colonel had been a medical student when the war broke out and the fleet of Union rams, including the Queen of the West, were launched by his father, Charles Ellet, Jr., who, before the war had designed wire cable suspension bridges including the one over the Schuylkill River and the one in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), over the Ohio River and a 770-foot footbridge at Niagara Falls. He had also built canals and railroads. Quite the engineer.
Quite the Family. --Old B-Runner
Charles Rivers Ellet was one of the Union's youngest colonels at age 19. A Feb. 2, 1863 report of Rear Admiral D.D. Porter said "the kind of man I like to command" a "gallant and daring officer" who will undertake anything I wish him to without asking questions. But, he added, "The only trouble I have is to hold him in and keep him out of trouble." He essentially was the army's counterpart to the Navy's William Cushing on the Atlantic coast.
That same day he had ordered Ellet to take the Queen of the West past Vicksburg and to reconnoiter the lower Red River and destroy any Confederate ships he encountered.
The young colonel had been a medical student when the war broke out and the fleet of Union rams, including the Queen of the West, were launched by his father, Charles Ellet, Jr., who, before the war had designed wire cable suspension bridges including the one over the Schuylkill River and the one in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), over the Ohio River and a 770-foot footbridge at Niagara Falls. He had also built canals and railroads. Quite the engineer.
Quite the Family. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Starr's Light Artillery Leaves Fort Fisher-- Part 2
The unit served as both heavy artillery at the fort, but also light artillery when they manned the Whitworth guns that were moved up and down the shore to cover blockade-runners which had run aground. These guns were very accurate and had a very long range.
They had an effective engagement with the guns by Fort Caswell (so they must have been transferred there for at least awhile.
"And wherever they go I venture to say they will leave a telling mark on the enemy if they get an opportunity. They are good and true men and they have good officers. All men have their faults, but I have had to deal personally with no officer in this army who takes as much interest in his men as Capt. Starr.
He does not consider a private soldier as quite a 'dirty dog,' which I am sorry to say many officers in the army do, but he is himself a gentleman and treats others as such."
Old B-Runner
They had an effective engagement with the guns by Fort Caswell (so they must have been transferred there for at least awhile.
"And wherever they go I venture to say they will leave a telling mark on the enemy if they get an opportunity. They are good and true men and they have good officers. All men have their faults, but I have had to deal personally with no officer in this army who takes as much interest in his men as Capt. Starr.
He does not consider a private soldier as quite a 'dirty dog,' which I am sorry to say many officers in the army do, but he is himself a gentleman and treats others as such."
Old B-Runner
Friday, April 12, 2013
Starr's Light Artillery Leaves Fort Fisher-- Part 1
From the November 25, 2012, Fayetteville (NC) Observer "November 1962 Developments."
This is where a reporter goes back through newspapers from back then and writes about interesting things he's found.
From a letter dated October 28, 1862, from Fort Fisher.
"Captain J.B. Starr's Light Artillery Company left last Wednesday for Kinston, by order of General French. 'They are there to be furnished with a good battery and well equipped in every respect.'" This was about the time of Foster's Raid, in which a battle took place at Kinston.
While at Fort Fisher, they had helped build a curtain embankment 3/4 mile long (to protect the fort from a rear attack which was not likely, but just in case) and another one 200 yards long and assisted in building 3 or 4 batteries and mounting all the guns of the fort.
They had also done scouting, picket and garrison duty and acted as infantry.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
This is where a reporter goes back through newspapers from back then and writes about interesting things he's found.
From a letter dated October 28, 1862, from Fort Fisher.
"Captain J.B. Starr's Light Artillery Company left last Wednesday for Kinston, by order of General French. 'They are there to be furnished with a good battery and well equipped in every respect.'" This was about the time of Foster's Raid, in which a battle took place at Kinston.
While at Fort Fisher, they had helped build a curtain embankment 3/4 mile long (to protect the fort from a rear attack which was not likely, but just in case) and another one 200 yards long and assisted in building 3 or 4 batteries and mounting all the guns of the fort.
They had also done scouting, picket and garrison duty and acted as infantry.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April12th to 14th,1863-- "Being Shut Up in an Iron Box is Horrible!!"
APRIL 12TH
Porter writes Welles about proposed move to below Vicksburg. They plan to take Grand Gulf and use it as a base after Porter passes Vicksburg.
He also wrote about the shortage of men in his Mississippi Squadron which he has been getting soldiers from the Army. Grant has sent him 800 men. He is also using contrabands in place of some of the discharged men. Has a big need for "experienced men" and petty officers.
APRIL 14TH
Two days of heavy fighting around Suffolk, Va. closed. There was considerable damage to Union ships, but the Navy prevented Confederates from crossing the river and surrounding the Union garrison. Union ships commanded by Cushing.
The USS Estrella, Arizona, Calhoun engaged and destroyed the CSS Queen of the West. The CSS Diana and Hart were destroyed April 18th to prevent capture.
Commander Charles Spotswood wrote from the CSS Georgia on the Savannah Station that he would like a transfer: "...anything that floats will suit me....for being shut up in an Iron Box (for she is not a vessel) is horrible, and with no steam power to move her, in fact she is made fast here to a pile pier.... She is not a fit command for a Sargent of Marines...."
The CSS Missouri was launched at Shreveport, Louisiana. It mounted six guns but never saw action, remaining above the obstructions in the Red River until the end of the war.
Old B-Runner
Porter writes Welles about proposed move to below Vicksburg. They plan to take Grand Gulf and use it as a base after Porter passes Vicksburg.
He also wrote about the shortage of men in his Mississippi Squadron which he has been getting soldiers from the Army. Grant has sent him 800 men. He is also using contrabands in place of some of the discharged men. Has a big need for "experienced men" and petty officers.
APRIL 14TH
Two days of heavy fighting around Suffolk, Va. closed. There was considerable damage to Union ships, but the Navy prevented Confederates from crossing the river and surrounding the Union garrison. Union ships commanded by Cushing.
The USS Estrella, Arizona, Calhoun engaged and destroyed the CSS Queen of the West. The CSS Diana and Hart were destroyed April 18th to prevent capture.
Commander Charles Spotswood wrote from the CSS Georgia on the Savannah Station that he would like a transfer: "...anything that floats will suit me....for being shut up in an Iron Box (for she is not a vessel) is horrible, and with no steam power to move her, in fact she is made fast here to a pile pier.... She is not a fit command for a Sargent of Marines...."
The CSS Missouri was launched at Shreveport, Louisiana. It mounted six guns but never saw action, remaining above the obstructions in the Red River until the end of the war.
Old B-Runner
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Beauregard's Worried About Another Attack on Charleston, Operations in Virginia
APRIL 11TH
Confederate General Beauregard wrote Lt. Webb, CSN, urging him to attack the Union's seven ironclads while they were still anchored inside the bar "with at least two of your spar-torpedo row-boats.... I believe it will be as easy to surprise them...on the first calm night."
As the boats approach the ironclads and are hailed, they should answer, "Boats on secret expedition" or "Contraband" (referring to runaway slaves.
However, on the 12th, the ironclads withdrew outside the bar, foiling the Confederate attack.
Union Army officers at Suffolk, Va., believed there were a large number of Confederates threatening them and requested Union Admiral S.P. Lee for additional ships to protect them. Lee replied that he already had three ships there, but sent the USS Commodore Barney, under Lt. William B. Cushing to help them.
Southerners also threatened positions along the York River and Yorktown requested gunboats. Lee ordered another gunboat there.
Secretary Welles instructed Du Pont to "retain a large force off Charleston even should you find it impossible to carry the place." Keeping that large fleet there will worry Confederates and perhaps keep them from North or West "to aid rebels with whom our forces will soon be in conflict...."
Old B-Runner
Confederate General Beauregard wrote Lt. Webb, CSN, urging him to attack the Union's seven ironclads while they were still anchored inside the bar "with at least two of your spar-torpedo row-boats.... I believe it will be as easy to surprise them...on the first calm night."
As the boats approach the ironclads and are hailed, they should answer, "Boats on secret expedition" or "Contraband" (referring to runaway slaves.
However, on the 12th, the ironclads withdrew outside the bar, foiling the Confederate attack.
Union Army officers at Suffolk, Va., believed there were a large number of Confederates threatening them and requested Union Admiral S.P. Lee for additional ships to protect them. Lee replied that he already had three ships there, but sent the USS Commodore Barney, under Lt. William B. Cushing to help them.
Southerners also threatened positions along the York River and Yorktown requested gunboats. Lee ordered another gunboat there.
Secretary Welles instructed Du Pont to "retain a large force off Charleston even should you find it impossible to carry the place." Keeping that large fleet there will worry Confederates and perhaps keep them from North or West "to aid rebels with whom our forces will soon be in conflict...."
Old B-Runner
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 10, 1863: More Pesky Union Boat Expeditions
APRIL 10TH
An expedition led by Lt. Cmdr. Selfridge of the USS Conestoga cut across Beulah Bend, Mississippi, and destroyed Confederate guerrilla stations which had been harassing Union shipping on the Mississippi River. (And, he didn't sink his boat, though I am not sure if he destroyed them from the Conestoga or landed on shore.)
Boat crew from the USS New London reconnoitered the Sabine City, Texas, area and captured a small sloop.
Landing party from the USS Kingfisher captured Confederate pickets on Edisto Island, South Carolina.
Old B-R'er
An expedition led by Lt. Cmdr. Selfridge of the USS Conestoga cut across Beulah Bend, Mississippi, and destroyed Confederate guerrilla stations which had been harassing Union shipping on the Mississippi River. (And, he didn't sink his boat, though I am not sure if he destroyed them from the Conestoga or landed on shore.)
Boat crew from the USS New London reconnoitered the Sabine City, Texas, area and captured a small sloop.
Landing party from the USS Kingfisher captured Confederate pickets on Edisto Island, South Carolina.
Old B-R'er
Jefferson Davis Does Some Bragging (and, Not That Bragg)
On April 10, 1863, President Jefferson Davis said: "We began this struggle without a single gun afloat, while the resources of the enemy enabled them to gather fleets which, according to their official list published in August last, consisted of 427 vessels, measuring 340,036 tons, and carrying 3,268 guns.
Yet, we have captured, sunk, or destroyed a number of these vessels, including two large frigates and one sloop of war, while four of their captured steam boats are now in our possession, adding to the strength of our little Navy, which is rapidly gaining in numbers and efficiency."
Of course, the "Not That Bragg" referred to Davis favorite, Braxton Bragg.
Necessity Was the Mother of Invention With the Confederate Navy. --Old B-Runner
Yet, we have captured, sunk, or destroyed a number of these vessels, including two large frigates and one sloop of war, while four of their captured steam boats are now in our possession, adding to the strength of our little Navy, which is rapidly gaining in numbers and efficiency."
Of course, the "Not That Bragg" referred to Davis favorite, Braxton Bragg.
Necessity Was the Mother of Invention With the Confederate Navy. --Old B-Runner
Fort Fisher Rundown-- Part 4: Casualties In the Attacks
FIRST ATTACK, DECEMBER 1864
UNION
NAVY: 20 killed. 63 wounded Total 83
ARMY: 1 killed, 11 wounded, 1 captured or missing Total 13
CONFEDERATE
8 killed, 74 wounded, 307 captured or missing Total 389
SECOND ATTACK, JANUARY 1865
UNION
NAVY: 88 killed, 271 wounded, 34 missing or captured Total 393
ARMY: 209 killed, 815 wounded, 35 captured or missing Total 1,059
CONFEDERATE
500 killed, 1,400 wounded, captured or missing 1,900 Total 4800
Some Heavy Fighting. --Old B-Runner
UNION
NAVY: 20 killed. 63 wounded Total 83
ARMY: 1 killed, 11 wounded, 1 captured or missing Total 13
CONFEDERATE
8 killed, 74 wounded, 307 captured or missing Total 389
SECOND ATTACK, JANUARY 1865
UNION
NAVY: 88 killed, 271 wounded, 34 missing or captured Total 393
ARMY: 209 killed, 815 wounded, 35 captured or missing Total 1,059
CONFEDERATE
500 killed, 1,400 wounded, captured or missing 1,900 Total 4800
Some Heavy Fighting. --Old B-Runner
Fort Fisher Rundown-- Part 3: Guns to the Right
Yesterday, I listed the artillery along the land face of the fort, primarily there to protect from a land attack coming from the north of Fort Fisher, North Carolina. This was roughly a half mile long.
Then, there was the mile long series of batteries and fortifications along the Atlantic Ocean, stretching from the Northeast Bastion where the land face joined it, south to the huge Mound Battery (an apt name). Farther down the shore was Battery Buchanan, built specifically to provide cover for the blockade runners in New Inlet itself.
Here is the list of the batteries and guns, starting at Battery Buchanan to the Northeast Bastion, the so-called Water Batteries:
Buchanan: two 11-inch Brooke Smoothbore, two 10-inch Columbiads
Mound Battery: one 10-inch Columbiad
Hedrick: two 10-inch Columbiads
Lenoir: one 7-inch Brooke Rifle, one 6 3/8 Rifle 32
Roland: two 10-inch Columbiads
Purdie: one 8-inch 150-pdr. Armstrong Rifle
Bolles (the first battery constructed at what became Fort Fisher): two 6 3/8-inch Rifles
Columbiad: five 8-inch Columbiads, one 7-inch Brooke Rifle
Cumberland: one 10-inch Columbiad
Meade: three 10-inch Columbiads, one 6 3/8-inch Rifle 32
Thatsa' Lot of Guns. --Old B-Runner
Then, there was the mile long series of batteries and fortifications along the Atlantic Ocean, stretching from the Northeast Bastion where the land face joined it, south to the huge Mound Battery (an apt name). Farther down the shore was Battery Buchanan, built specifically to provide cover for the blockade runners in New Inlet itself.
Here is the list of the batteries and guns, starting at Battery Buchanan to the Northeast Bastion, the so-called Water Batteries:
Buchanan: two 11-inch Brooke Smoothbore, two 10-inch Columbiads
Mound Battery: one 10-inch Columbiad
Hedrick: two 10-inch Columbiads
Lenoir: one 7-inch Brooke Rifle, one 6 3/8 Rifle 32
Roland: two 10-inch Columbiads
Purdie: one 8-inch 150-pdr. Armstrong Rifle
Bolles (the first battery constructed at what became Fort Fisher): two 6 3/8-inch Rifles
Columbiad: five 8-inch Columbiads, one 7-inch Brooke Rifle
Cumberland: one 10-inch Columbiad
Meade: three 10-inch Columbiads, one 6 3/8-inch Rifle 32
Thatsa' Lot of Guns. --Old B-Runner
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