155 Years Ago, January 6, 1862: Taking Care of Your Army Trouble-Makers-- Send 'Em to the Navy

JANUARY 6TH, 1862:  One of Flag Officer Foote's primary problems was the manning of the new ironclad gunboats, which were becoming available behind contract date at St. Louis and Mound City.  The Navy Department sent a draft of 500 seamen; the rest had to be recruited or detailed from the Army.

That the Army was reluctant to give up its best men for service afloat was demonstrated by Grant's letter to Major General Halleck, in which he wrote that he had a number of offenders in the guardhouse and suggested,  "In view of the difficulties of getting men for the gunboat service, that these men be transferred to that service...."

Bad Soldiers, Of Course, Make For Good Sailors.  --Old Secesh

155 Years Ago, January 7, 1862: Intel on Forts Henry and Donelson-- Part 1

JANUARY 7TH, 1862:  Lt. S.L. Phelps, USS Conestoga, on an expedition up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers gained valuable intelligence about Confederate activity at Forts Henry and Donelson.

"The rebels," he reported to Flag Officer Foote, "are industriously perfecting their means of defense both at Dover and Fort Henry.  At Fort Donelson (near Dover) they have placed obstructions in the river, 1 1/2 miles below their battery, on the left bank and in the bend where the battery comes in sight ....

"The fire of the gunboats [at Fort Donelson] would be at a bad angle ... The forts are placed, especially on the Cumberland, where no great range can be had, and they can only be attacked on one narrow and fixed line ..."

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, January 5, 1862: Goldsborough Wants Burnside to Hurry Up

JANUARY 5TH 1862:  Flag Officer L.M. Goldsborough, replying ro a telegram from Brigadier General Ambrose E. Burnside, the Army officer in command of the Roanoke Island expedition, wrote that:  "the sooner you start your first brigade [for Hatteras Inlet] the better, and so, too, with all vessels you have which are to be towed or which require choice weather in order to arrive safely."

President Lincoln was reported as "anxious to hear of the departure of the expedition."

Get a Move On.  --Old B-Runner

William L. Marcy, Namesake of Revenue Cutter William L. Marcy

From Wikipedia.

Continuing with my research into the Revenue Cutter Marcy capturing the Confederate privateer Neva in San Francisco.

1786-1857.

American statesman, U.S. Senator, Governor of New York, U.S. Secretary of War and U.S. Secretary of State.

The U.S. Revenue Cutter Marcy was launched in 1853 and named in his honor.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, January 2, 1862: Steamer Ella Warley Gets Into Charleston

JANUARY 2ND, 1862:  Steamer Ella Warley evaded the USS Mohican, Commander Godon, in a heavy fog and ran the blockade into Charleston, S.C..

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, January 2, 1862: Eads' Gunboats Behind Schedule

JANUARY 2ND, 1862:  Flag Officer Foote wrote secretary of Navy Welles:  "I hope to be able to send 60 men on board of each gunboat within the week.  We are waiting on 1,000 men to fill up our complement ...  The carpenters and engineers are behindhand in their work."

Eads completion of the gunboats had been much delayed beyond his contract time.  This placed a great strain upon the wooden gunboats, whose daily service in the rivers was demonstrated by General Grant's typical communication with Foote:  "Will you please direct a gunboat to drop down the river ... to protect a steamer I am sending down to bring up produce for some loyal citizens of Kentucky."

--Old B-R'er

155 Years Ago, January 2, 1862: Plans Coming Together for Attack on Roanoke Island

JANUARY 2ND, 1862:  Flag Officer L.M. Goldsborough ordered the USS Louisiana, Lockwood, I.N. Seymour, Shawsheen and Whithall (forced to return to Newport News because of engine trouble) to Hatteras Inlet, "using a sound discretion in time of departing."

Goldsborough wrote Secretary of Navy Welles the next day:  "When they arrive there, twelve of this squadron will have been assembled in that quarter.  With the rest we are driving on as fast as possible."

Since early December extensive preparations for the joint attack on Roanoke Island -- the key to Albemarle Sound -- had been underway in a move not only to seal off the North Carolina coast, but also to back up General McClellan's Peninsular Campaign by threatening Confederate communications.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, January 1, 1862: USS Lexington Joining USS Conestoga Cruising the Ohio River

JANUARY 1ST, 1862:  Flag Officer Foote reported to Secretary of Navy Welles that he was sending the USS Lexington, Lt. Shirk, to join the USS Conestoga, Lt. S,L, Phelps, who had been rendering valuable service cruising the rivers and protecting "Union people" on the borders of the Ohio River and tributaries; indeed, the control of the rivers advanced Union frontiers deep into territory sympathetic to the South.

Foote added:  "I am using all possible dispatch in getting all the gunboats ready for service.  there is a great demand for them in different places in the western rivers."

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, January 1, 1862: Mason and Slidell Leave Boston for England

JANUARY 1ST, 1862:  Confederate Commissioners Mason and Slidell left Boston for England.'

They first went to Provincetown, Massachusetts where they boarded the HMS Rinaldo.

War With England Averted  --Old B-R'er

155 Years Ago, January 1, 1862: Action on the Potomac River

JANUARY 1, 1862:  The USS Yankee, Lt. Eastman, and USS Anacostia, Lt. Oscar C. Badger, exchanged fire with Confederate batteries at Cockpit Point, Potomac River; the Yankee was damaged slightly.

Attacks by ships of the Potomac Flotilla were instrumental in forcing the withdrawal of strong Confederate emplacements along the river.  Batteries at Cockpit and Shipping Point were abandoned by 9 March 1862.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, Dec. 31, 1861-Jan. 2, 1862-- Part 2: Joint Army-Navy Expedition in S.C.

This action disrupted Confederate plans to erect batteries and build troop strength in the area intending to close the Coosaw River and isolate Federal troops on Port Royal Island.

General Stevens wrote:  "I would do a great injustice to my own feelings did I fail to express my satisfaction and delight with the recent cooperation of the command of Captain Rodgers in our celebration of New Year's Day.

"Whether regard be had to his beautiful working of the gunboats in the narrow channel of Port Royal, the thorough concert of action established through the signal officers, or the masterly handling of the guns against the enemy, nothing remained to be desired.

"such a cooperation ... augurs everything. propitious for the welfare of our cause in this quarter of the country."

High Praise Indeed.  --Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, Dec. 31-Jan. 2, 1862-- Part 1: Attack of Confederates at Port Royal Ferry, S.C.

DECEMBER 31ST, 1861-JANUARY 2ND, 1862:  Naval squadron under Commander C.R.P. Rodgers, including gunboats Ottawa, Pembina and Seneca and four armed boats carrying howitzers, joined General Stevens' troops in successful amphibious attack on Confederate positions at Port Royal Ferry and on Coosaw River.

Gunboat fire covered the troop advance, and guns and naval gunners were landed as artillery support.  Army signal officers acted as gunfire observers and coordinators aboard the ships.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, December 31, 1861: The Problem With Mortar Boats

DECEMBER 31ST, 1861:  Flag Officer Foote wrote Assistant Secretary of Navy Fox about the delay in fitting out mortar boats:  "I did say and still consider the mortar boats very defective.  They are built of solid timber and when armed and manned will be awash with the deck ... all will leak more or less.

"Still I would have them fitted out, with all their defects."

Foote made excellent use of these defective boats at Island No. 10.

--Old B-R'er

155 Years Ago, December 31, 1861: Biloxi, Mississippi Captured By Union Forces

DECEMBER 31ST, 1861:  Biloxi, Mississippi, surrendered to a landing party of seamen and Marines supported by the USS Water Witch, New London, and Henry Lewis; a small Confederate battery was destroyed, two guns and a schooner Captain Spedden captured.

**  The USS Augusta, Commander Parrott, captured Confederate schooner Island Belle attempting to run the blockade near Bull's Bay, South Carolina.

--Old B-Runner

This Blog's 6th Year

With this post, Running the Blockade now enters its sixth year.

This post is the 2791st one since then.

This blog grew out of the Saw the Elephant Civil War Blog, which grew out of the my Cooter's History Thing blog.

I found that I was posting so much about the naval aspect of the war, especially Fort Fisher, that it was time to start this one.

Need to Find Something Worthwhile.  --Old B-Runner