150 Years Ago: November 2-3, 1863-- Operations at Fort Sumter

NOVEMBER 2-3RD.

Lt. Cmdr. Greenleaf Gilley of the USS Catskill reported on Confederate operations at Fort Sumter to meet any Union attempts to breech the obstructions between Forts Sumter and Moultrie as the furious Union bombardment of Fort Sumter continued.

He reported: "Two boats under sail were seen moving from Sumter towards Sullivan's Island. About 11 p.m. a balloon with two lights attached arose from Sumter and floated toward Fort Johnson.... At midnight a steamer left Sumter and moved toward Fort Johnson.

At sunrise...observed the three rams [CSS Charleson, Chicora and Palmetto State] and the sidewheel steamer anchored in line of battle ahead from Johnson toward Charleston, and each with its torpedo topped up forward of the bows."

Being Vigilant, Very Vigilant. --Old B-Runnee

150 Years Ago: October 31, 1863-- Classes Begin-- Part 2

In general, the curriculum was based on that of the United States Navy Academy. However, the training was extremely realistic as the midshipmen were often called upon for actual combat. By the time they left the Academy, they were seasoned veterans.

Commander John M. Brooke, CSN, wrote to Secretary Mallory about the midshipmen: "Though but from 14 to 18 years of age, they eagerly seek every opportunity presented for engaging in hazardous enterprises, and those who are sent upon them uniformly exhibit good discipline, conduct, and courage."

Mallory reported to President Davis: "The officers connected with the school are able and zealous, and the satisfactory progress already made by the several classes gives assurance that the Navy may look on this school for well-instructed and skilled officers." The Naval Academy continued to operate until the end of the war.

I'm supposing it didn't take the midshipmen four years to graduate under the circumstances. --Old B-R'er

150 Years Ago: October 31, 1863: CSN Classes Begin-- Part 1

OCTOBER 31ST

During October instruction began for 52 Confederate midshipmen on their "floating academy" located aboard the CSS Patrick Henry at Drewry's Bluff on the James River, near Richmond, Virginia. Lt. W.H. Parker, CSN, was superintendent.

The initial move for a Naval Academy began in December 1861 when the Confederate Congress passed a bill calling for "some form of education" for midshipmen. In the spring of 1862, more legislation called for the appointment of 106 acting midshipmen.

In May 1862, the Patrick Henry was designated as the Academy ship and alterations made to ready her for this new role.

--Old B-Runner

William Lewis Maury, CSN-- Part 1: Was He Related to the Confederacy's Matthew Fontaine Mayry?

From Wikipedia.

Monday I wrote about the cruiser CSS Georgia's arrival in France to conclude its voyage to destroy Union commerce. It was commanded by Lt. William Lewis Maury. The last name got me to wondering. Could he be the son or related to the Confederacy's Matthew Fontaine Maury?

William Lewis Maury was born in 1813 and died Nov. 27, 1878. He was an American explorer and naval officer in both the United States (a 20-year career) and Confederate navies.

He assisted in the Charles Wilkes Expedition to explore the Pacific Ocean and Matthew C. Perry's 1856 naval expedition to Japan. Maury Island in Puget Sound in Washington state and the ice-filled Maury Bay east of Cape Lewis in Antarctica are named after him.

Well, Was He Related? Next Post. --Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago: October 29-30, 1863: Ships Operating on the Tennessee River

OCTOBER 29TH

Rear Admiral Porter orders the officers of his Mississippi Squadron "to give all the aid and assistance in their power" to Major General William T. Sherman in his operations along the Tennessee River.

Ships detached for duty there were the USS Lexington, Hastings, Key West, Cricket, Robb and Romeo. Plus the USS Paw Paw, Tawah, Tyler and two other vessels would soon be there as well.

OCTOBER 30TH:

The USS Vanderbilt captured the bark Saxon, suspected of having rendezvoused and taken cargo from the CSS Tiscaloosa at Angra Pequena, Africa.

The USS Annie seized blockade running British schooner Meteor off Bayport, Florida.

--Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago: October 28, 1863: CSS Georgia's Cruising Days Over

OCTOBER 28, 1863:

The CSS Georgia, under Lt. W.L. Maury, anchored at Cherbourg, France, concluding a 7-month cruise against Union commerce. During the cruise, the Georgia destroyed a number of prizes and bonded the remainder for a total of $200,000.

A short time later, Flag Officer Samuel Barron, CSN, advised Secretary of Navy Mallory that the ship had been laid up "...almost broken down; she has lost her speed, not now going under a full head of steam over 6 knots, and is good for nothing as a cruiser under sail."

And, until I started this blog, I had never heard of this ship before.

Great Career, Though. --Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago: October 27, 1863: Expedition to Capture Brazos Santiago Departs

OCTOBER 27, 1863

Col. L. Smith, CSA, commanding Marine Department of Texas (surprising it wouldn't have been a naval officer in command) reported on status of gunboats in his area. CSS Clifton, Sachem (captured Union warships) and Jacob. A. Bell at Sabine Pass. CSS Bayou City, Diana and Harriet Lane (another captured Union warship) at Galveston Bay. CSS Mary Hill at Velasco and CSS John F. Carr at Saluria. The Bayou City and Harriet Lane were without guns and the rest mounted a total of 15 guns. Not too impressive.

****  Union expedition to capture Brazos Santiago and the mouth of the Rio Grande River departed New Orleans. Ships USS Monongahela, Owasco and Virginia accompanied the group. This was the beginning of another Union attempt to wrest Texas from the Confederacy and also to preclude the possibility of movement into Texas by French troops in Mexico.

--Old B-Runner

USS Nansemond-- Part 3

On May 6, 1864, the Nansemond on USS Britannia were attacked by the ironclad CSS Raleigh while a blockade-runner escaped. The next morning, the Nansemond, Howquah and Kansas engaged the Raleigh. While withdrawing over the Cape Fear River Bar, the ironclad ran aground, suffering major damage and was destroyed by its commander, Flag Officer William F. Lynch.

On June 20th, the Nansemond and Calypso embarked troops for an expedition to New River, NC, to cut the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad but were forced to withdraw.

The Nansemond was involved with both attacks on Fort Fisher and then supported Union troops on their final drive on Wilmington.

It was decommissioned at Washington Navy Yard and transferred to the U.S. Treasury Department on 22 August 1865 and served in the Revenue Cutter Service as the W.H. Crawford along the Atlantic Coast from Baltimore to key West. She was sold at Baltimore 24 April 1897.

Quite a Career. --Old B-R'er

150 Years Ago: October 24th to 26th, 1863-- Fort Sumter Under Attack Again

OCTOBER 24TH

USS Hastings and Key West arrived in Eastport, Mississippi, to support Army operations along the Tennessee River. General Sherman was happy to have the help, despite problems with low water level. Operations continued until mid-December as efforts to solidify Union control along the river continued.

**  USS Calypso captured British schooner Herald off Frying Pan Shoals (NC) with a cargo of salt and soda (not soda pop).

OCTOBER 26TH

Union ironclads began an intensive two week bombardment of Fort Sumter. General Beauregard wrote of the "terrible bombardment" and said that the fort had been hammered by 1000 shot in just 12 hours.

A week later, Commander Stevens of the monitor USS Patapsco, said the bombardment was "hardly describable, throwing bricks and mortar, gun carriages and timber in every direction and high into the air." But, Rear Admiral Dahlgren noted: "There is an immense endurance in such a mass of masonry, and ruins may serve as shelter to many men."

In other words, you can destroy it only so much before it gets stronger. The embattled defenders held on, though.

--Old B-Runner

USS Nansemond-- Part 2

Just ten days after destroying the Douro, this time for good, the Nansemond forced the blockade-runner Venus ashore after hitting it with four shots on October 21, 1863, . It was found that she couldn't be floated and the ship was burned.

Of course, the problem with destroying a blockade-runner is that you don't get the prize money. OK, the ship did its duty, but that extra money is real nice. And, that's two runners in ten days that brought no prize money. I imagine their was a lot of grumbling among the crew.

On November 4, 1863, the USS Howquah, on Wilmington station, sighted the blockade-runner Margaret and Jessie and pursued it through the night. It was joined by the Nansemond and Army transport Fulton and the notorious blockade-runner was captured at sea just east of Mrytle Beach, SC. The Margaret and Jessie had run the blockade 15 times.

--Old B-Runner

USS Nansemond-- Part 1: A Fast Ship

From Wikipedia.

Yesterday, I wrote about this Union ship chasing the blockade-runner Venus ashore and later burning it. So, I looked it up to find out more about the ship.

The Nansemond was a sidewheel steamer built in 1862 in Williamsburg, New York as the James F. Freeborn, but purchased by the U.S. Navy on 18 August 1863, and commissioned in Baltimore 19 August under Lt. Roswell H. Lamson.

It was a fast ship, able to go 15 knots, 146 feet long with a 63-man crew and mounting one 30-pdr. Parrot rifle and two 24-pdr. guns.

It joined the North Atlantic Blockading Fleet 24 August 1863 and chased the Douro ashore near New Inlet 11 October and destroyed the blockade-runner with a cargo of cotton, turpentine, tobacco and rosin. The Douro, as I previously mentioned earlier this month, had been captured earlier by the USS Quaker City and had been condemned and sold and found itself back in the blockade running business.

Two Times Not the Charm. --Old B-Runner

Some Confusion With Today's Ship Island Incident

In the earlier post, I wrote about the Union steamer Mist being captured by Confederate guerrillas at Ship Island, Mississippi. I know their is a bearier island of the Mississippi coast by that name with Fort Massachusetts on it. But, considering the small size of the island, a Union fort and naval base there, I kind of doubt that there were any Confederate guerrilla operations on it.

Now, what would have made more sense was a Ship Island somewhere along the Mississippi River, or perhaps another state of Mississippi river being attacked by guerrillas. But, I was unable to come up with another Ship Island during my search.

Perhaps this was a mistake in the CWNC. --Old B-R'er

The Mississippi Still Not Completely Safe: Union Steamer Mist Captured

OCTOBER 22ND, 1863

The Union steamer Mist was boarded and burned at Ship Island, Mississippi, by Confederate guerrillas when she attempted to take on a cargo of cotton without the protection of a Union gunboat.

**  A week later, Rear Admiral Porter wrote to Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman, "Steamers should not be allowed to land anywhere but at a military port, or a place guarded by a gunboat...." So, even with the Mississippi River under Union control, it still wan't completely safe.

OCTOBER 23RD:

The USS Norfolk Packet captured schooner Ocean Bird off St. Augustine Inlet, Florida.

There's Confeds In Those Woods. --Old B-Runner

Blockader Nansemond Runs Runner Venus Ashore This Date

OCTOBER 21ST, 1863

The USS Nansemond, Lt. R.H. Lamson, chased blockade running steamer Venus ashore near the Cape Fear River, NC. Four shots from the blockader caused the steamer to take on water. Lamson attempted to get the Venus off in the morning but found "it impossible to move her, [and] I ordered her to be set on fire."

A notebook found aboard recorded that 75 ships had been engaged in blockade running thus far in 1863, of which 32 had been captured or destroyed.

Got Another One. --Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago Today: October 20, 1863-- They're Watching

OCTOBER 20TH:

 Commander Bulloch advised Mallory from Liverpool that the ironclads known as 294 and 295, being built in England, had been seized by the British government. He felt that the reason for the seizure was the arrival of a large number of Confederate naval officers in Britain over the previous months.

The CSS Florida had come off the Irish coast six weeks earlier and gone to Brest, France, where it discharged its crew, many of whom were sent to Liverpool. "These circumstances were eagerly seized upon by the United States representatives here, and they have so worked upon Lord Russell as to make him believe that the presence of these officers and men has direct reference to the destination of the rams."

In other words, we've got to be sneakier.

The Old Cloak and Dagger Game, Indeed. --Old B-Runner