From the July 2, 2017, Charleston (SC) Post & Courier "Winning the 'battle' of Fort Bull: Civil War site protected from West Ashley waterline path" by Bo Peterson.
Fort Bull consists of earthen berms back in the woods on private land and was in danger of partly being destroyed by the laying of water pipes. It was dug by Confederate soldiers neat today's Bees Ferry Road and was part of the massive defensive defenses of Charleston, S.C., during the war.
It was designed by General Beauregard and even Robert E. lee had a part in its early design before he took command of the Army of Northern Virginia. Over 200 defenses were constructed during the war in Charleston County. Most like Fort Bull were vacant most of the time, but could be easily defended in case of Union attack.
Persons interested in preserving history caused the Charleston Water System, which was laying pipe in the area to swing around the fort's remains.
--Old B-R'er
Monday, July 10, 2017
Friends of Fort Fisher Attend Elmira Prison Dedication in New York
Most of the enlisted men captured at Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, were sent here and a large number died during their several months of confinement.
Eight members of the Friends of Fort Fisher attended the dedication of one of the camp's restored original building.
I have an entry about it in my Saw the Elephant blog of today.
--Old B-Runner
Eight members of the Friends of Fort Fisher attended the dedication of one of the camp's restored original building.
I have an entry about it in my Saw the Elephant blog of today.
--Old B-Runner
Saturday, July 8, 2017
USS Stars and Stripes-- Part 5: Became the SS Metropolis (Famous Shipwreck)
In 1864, the Stars and Stripes Captured the blockade running steamer Laura off Ochlockonee on 18 January. and attacked an extensive Confederate fishery at Marsh Island 19 and 20 October.
On 3 December, she joined three other gunboats and destroyed saltworks at Rocky Point, in Tampa Bay.
At the end of the war, the Stars and Stripes was decommissioned at Philadelphia 30 June 1865 and sold at auction 10 August 1865, to Thomas Watson & Sons out of New York City.
On 18, 1865, the ship was renamed the Metropolis and was in the merchant service until 31 January 1878, when, while going from Philadelphia to Brazil, she was wrecked on the outer bar at Currituck Beach, North Carolina. The ship and cargo were a total loss.
During the Civil War, the Stars and Stripes had operated a whole lot in that area of North Carolina.
There is a whole lot to this wreck, which I will go into next.
--Old B-Runner
On 3 December, she joined three other gunboats and destroyed saltworks at Rocky Point, in Tampa Bay.
At the end of the war, the Stars and Stripes was decommissioned at Philadelphia 30 June 1865 and sold at auction 10 August 1865, to Thomas Watson & Sons out of New York City.
On 18, 1865, the ship was renamed the Metropolis and was in the merchant service until 31 January 1878, when, while going from Philadelphia to Brazil, she was wrecked on the outer bar at Currituck Beach, North Carolina. The ship and cargo were a total loss.
During the Civil War, the Stars and Stripes had operated a whole lot in that area of North Carolina.
There is a whole lot to this wreck, which I will go into next.
--Old B-Runner
Friday, July 7, 2017
Fort Fisher's Beat the Heat Series Continues: Elmira Prison Camp and the CSS Neuse
From the Powderkeg Magazine of the Friends of Fort Fisher.
A great way to get out of the heat and learn something at the same time. These presentations are held at the E. Gehroig Spencer Theater at the Fort Fisher Visitors Center at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, North Carolina.
They begin on Saturdays at 2 p.m..
JULY 8 TOPIC
Elmira Prisoner of War Camp: The North's Answer to Andersonville
The speaker will be Richard Triebe, historian and author who has written a book about the prison.
The majority of the enlisted Confederate captured at Fort Fisher were brought here and an alarming number of them died in a few months of imprisonment.
JULY 15 TOPIC
The Final Days of the CSS Neuse - and Beyond. The speaker will be Andrew Duppstadt of the North Carolina State Historic Sites.
This was the sister ship of the CSS Albemarle.
Again, I Sure Wish I Could Be There For These, But 1200 Miles Is JUST Too Far. --Old B-Runner
A great way to get out of the heat and learn something at the same time. These presentations are held at the E. Gehroig Spencer Theater at the Fort Fisher Visitors Center at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, North Carolina.
They begin on Saturdays at 2 p.m..
JULY 8 TOPIC
Elmira Prisoner of War Camp: The North's Answer to Andersonville
The speaker will be Richard Triebe, historian and author who has written a book about the prison.
The majority of the enlisted Confederate captured at Fort Fisher were brought here and an alarming number of them died in a few months of imprisonment.
JULY 15 TOPIC
The Final Days of the CSS Neuse - and Beyond. The speaker will be Andrew Duppstadt of the North Carolina State Historic Sites.
This was the sister ship of the CSS Albemarle.
Again, I Sure Wish I Could Be There For These, But 1200 Miles Is JUST Too Far. --Old B-Runner
Changing Some of the Content of This Blog
In the last year or so I have been doing a lot of coverage on the chronology of the Naval Civil War which was getting a bit too much.
So what I will be doing now is writing about an event that took place 155 years ago and then going into greater detail on it. Much of these last several weeks I have been writing about the happenings around the St. Marks River, Florida, during the war which is why I have been writing about the USS Stars and Stripes which operated off that place.
--Old B-R'er
So what I will be doing now is writing about an event that took place 155 years ago and then going into greater detail on it. Much of these last several weeks I have been writing about the happenings around the St. Marks River, Florida, during the war which is why I have been writing about the USS Stars and Stripes which operated off that place.
--Old B-R'er
USS Stars and Stripes-- Part 4: Transferred to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron
On August 24, the Stars and Stripes captured the British ship Mary Elizabeth attempting to run into Wilmington with a cargo of salt and fruit.
After that, the ship went to Philadelphia for repairs and was decommissioned September 14, though quickly repaired and back in service. On September 29, the Stars and Stripes was assigned to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron where she remained for the rest of the war. This is when she had the encounters with the CSS Spray and the St. Marks area.
In 1863, she captured the sloop Florida in St. Marks Bay with a cargo of cotton and tar. on June 3. Then, its boats along with those of the USS Somerset went to Marsh Island, Florida to destroy saltworks. Later she destroyed the blockade runner schooner Caroline Gertrude aground at the mouth of the Ochlockonee River December 29.
--Old B-Runner
After that, the ship went to Philadelphia for repairs and was decommissioned September 14, though quickly repaired and back in service. On September 29, the Stars and Stripes was assigned to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron where she remained for the rest of the war. This is when she had the encounters with the CSS Spray and the St. Marks area.
In 1863, she captured the sloop Florida in St. Marks Bay with a cargo of cotton and tar. on June 3. Then, its boats along with those of the USS Somerset went to Marsh Island, Florida to destroy saltworks. Later she destroyed the blockade runner schooner Caroline Gertrude aground at the mouth of the Ochlockonee River December 29.
--Old B-Runner
Thursday, July 6, 2017
USS Stars and Stripes-- Part 3: Still Operating in North Carolina Waters
On February 7, 1862, the Stars and Stripes took part in the attack on Roanoke Island, N.C. On February 20, while transferring ammunition to Isaac N. Seymour, that ship struck the submerged anchor of the USS Louisiana and sank. Most of the crew were saved by the Stars and Stripes.
The ship operated in North Carolina waters and helped capture New Bern in mid-March.
It returned to Norfolk on 4 June for badly needed repairs and six days later returned to blockade duty off North Carolina.
Shortly before dawn June 27, 1862, the Stars and Stripes helped the USS Cambridge destroy the blockade runner Modern Greece near the Cape Fear River off Fort Fisher. (I wrote about this on June 27 only it did not mention the USS Stars and Stripes being involved, just the USS Cambridge.)
--Old B-Runner
The ship operated in North Carolina waters and helped capture New Bern in mid-March.
It returned to Norfolk on 4 June for badly needed repairs and six days later returned to blockade duty off North Carolina.
Shortly before dawn June 27, 1862, the Stars and Stripes helped the USS Cambridge destroy the blockade runner Modern Greece near the Cape Fear River off Fort Fisher. (I wrote about this on June 27 only it did not mention the USS Stars and Stripes being involved, just the USS Cambridge.)
--Old B-Runner
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
USS Stars and Stripes-- Part 2: Service Off North Carolina
After commissioning, the USS Stars and Stripes was assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and arrived at Hampton Roads 26 September 1861. Two days later it towed schooners of the Great Stone Fleet to Hatteras Inlet. It arrived October 1 and then operated in the that vicinity for the next several months.
During that time, Lt. Reed Werden was also in charge of the USS Ceres, General Putnam and Underwriter. Because of the drafts of the Stats and Stripes and the Underwriter, Werden refused to allow these two ships to enter shallow Pamlico Sound.
On 2 November, the Stars and Stripes fought a Confederate gunboat, but neither ship was within each other's range so no damage done.
On November 5 and 6, 1861, the ships under Werden's command attempted to provide assistance to the French corvette Prony, which had run aground, but weather and Confederate activity prevented them from doing so and the ship was lost.
On 15 December, the Stars and Stripes captured the schooner Charity and sent it to New York City for adjudication.
--Old B-Runner
During that time, Lt. Reed Werden was also in charge of the USS Ceres, General Putnam and Underwriter. Because of the drafts of the Stats and Stripes and the Underwriter, Werden refused to allow these two ships to enter shallow Pamlico Sound.
On 2 November, the Stars and Stripes fought a Confederate gunboat, but neither ship was within each other's range so no damage done.
On November 5 and 6, 1861, the ships under Werden's command attempted to provide assistance to the French corvette Prony, which had run aground, but weather and Confederate activity prevented them from doing so and the ship was lost.
On 15 December, the Stars and Stripes captured the schooner Charity and sent it to New York City for adjudication.
--Old B-Runner
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
July 4, 1862: Loss of the Confederate "Aircraft Carrier" CSS Teaser
JULY 4TH, 1862: The USS Maratanza, Lt. Stevens, engaged the CSS Teaser, Lt. Davidson, at Haxall's on the James River. The Teaser was abandoned and captured after a shell from Maratanza exploded her boiler. In addition to placing mines in the river, Davidson had gone down the river with a balloon on board for the purpose of making an aerial reconnaissance of Union General McClellan's positions at City Point and Harrison's Landing.
By this time both Union and Confederate forces were utilizing the balloon for gathering intelligence; the Teaser was the Southern counterpart, the USS G.W. Parke Custiss, from whose deck aerial observations had been made the preceding year.
Well, essentially they were early aircraft carriers.
The Teaser's balloon, as well as a quantity of insulated wire and mine equipment, were found on board the Teaser. Six shells with "peculiar fuzes" were also taken and sent to Captain Dahlgren at the Washington Navy Yard for examination.
Mines and Balloons, Oh My. --Old B-Runner
By this time both Union and Confederate forces were utilizing the balloon for gathering intelligence; the Teaser was the Southern counterpart, the USS G.W. Parke Custiss, from whose deck aerial observations had been made the preceding year.
Well, essentially they were early aircraft carriers.
The Teaser's balloon, as well as a quantity of insulated wire and mine equipment, were found on board the Teaser. Six shells with "peculiar fuzes" were also taken and sent to Captain Dahlgren at the Washington Navy Yard for examination.
Mines and Balloons, Oh My. --Old B-Runner
Monday, July 3, 2017
USS Stars and Stripes-- Part 1: With a Name Like That...Perfect for These Days
From Wikipedia.
Since the USS Stars and Stripes was such an adversary to the CSS Spray, I decided to do some more research on the ship.
The USS Stars and Stripes was built at Mystic, Connecticut, and purchased by the U.S. Navy 27 July 1861. Commissioned in New York navy Yard and commanded first by Lt. Reed Werden.
It was decommissioned in Philadelphia 30 June 1865, sold on 10 August, 1865, and sank 31 January 1878.
It was 407 tons, 124.3 feet, 34.6 feet beam and had a crew of 94.
Armament consisted of four 8-in cwt cannons and one 20-pdr Parrott rifle.
Lt. Reed Werden was in command.
--Old B-Runner
Since the USS Stars and Stripes was such an adversary to the CSS Spray, I decided to do some more research on the ship.
The USS Stars and Stripes was built at Mystic, Connecticut, and purchased by the U.S. Navy 27 July 1861. Commissioned in New York navy Yard and commanded first by Lt. Reed Werden.
It was decommissioned in Philadelphia 30 June 1865, sold on 10 August, 1865, and sank 31 January 1878.
It was 407 tons, 124.3 feet, 34.6 feet beam and had a crew of 94.
Armament consisted of four 8-in cwt cannons and one 20-pdr Parrott rifle.
Lt. Reed Werden was in command.
--Old B-Runner
Some More On the CSS Spray-- Part 9: USS Stars and Stripes Vs. CSS Spray
Prior to the chase of the CSS Spray, the USS Stars and Stripes had spotted a Confederate encampment at Long Bar and had fired on it. The Spray had come down the St. Marks River to about Fourmile Point to return fire, but had withdrawn when the Union ship fired at her.
The Stars and Stripes also reported that it knew about the foundry/machine shop operating at Newport, but had made no attempt to destroy it.
On 12 September 1863, the Stars and Stripes made another attempt to capture or destroy the Spray as it lay at anchor in the St. Marks River, but the attempt failed. Two Confederate sailors were captured.
--Old B-R'er
The Stars and Stripes also reported that it knew about the foundry/machine shop operating at Newport, but had made no attempt to destroy it.
On 12 September 1863, the Stars and Stripes made another attempt to capture or destroy the Spray as it lay at anchor in the St. Marks River, but the attempt failed. Two Confederate sailors were captured.
--Old B-R'er
Some More on the CSS Spray-- Part 8: The Spray Makes An Escape
In January 1863, the sloop Florida beached at the mouth of the St. Marks River as it was preparing to run the blockade. It was spotted at daylight and a Federal gunboat came in. It shelled both the Florida and the lighthouse and then captured the sloop, but the crew escaped.
In February 1863, the British schooner Pacifique was captured at St. Marks River.
In April of that year, the USS Stars and Stripes gave chase for more than three hours to a "side-wheeled schooner-rigged steamer of unknown registry that sailed out of the St. Marks River. Later, the Union vessel reported that they had been chasing the CSS Spray and that it was steaming at 14 knots and managed to get away.
--Old B-Runner
In February 1863, the British schooner Pacifique was captured at St. Marks River.
In April of that year, the USS Stars and Stripes gave chase for more than three hours to a "side-wheeled schooner-rigged steamer of unknown registry that sailed out of the St. Marks River. Later, the Union vessel reported that they had been chasing the CSS Spray and that it was steaming at 14 knots and managed to get away.
--Old B-Runner
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Some More on the CSS Spray-- Part 7: Action on St. Marks and Aucilla Rivers
Sailors from the USS Tahoma and Somerset came ashore and burned what was left. They also set fire to the interior of the lighthouse keeper's house.
A few months later, another Union gunboat fired at the saltworks at Goose Creek, but did little damage.
Just prior to that, two armed Federal ship's boats, on their way to get fresh water, were attacked and sunk by Confederate forces on the Aucilla River. Two sailors were killed and the rest taken prisoner.
Two days after Christmas 1862, the British schooner Kate was captured by the USS Roebuck as it attempted to enter the channel at the mouth of the St. Marks River with a cargo of salt, coffee, copper and liquor.
--Old B-Runner
A few months later, another Union gunboat fired at the saltworks at Goose Creek, but did little damage.
Just prior to that, two armed Federal ship's boats, on their way to get fresh water, were attacked and sunk by Confederate forces on the Aucilla River. Two sailors were killed and the rest taken prisoner.
Two days after Christmas 1862, the British schooner Kate was captured by the USS Roebuck as it attempted to enter the channel at the mouth of the St. Marks River with a cargo of salt, coffee, copper and liquor.
--Old B-Runner
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Some More on CSS Spray-- Part 6: Fighting Around the Mouth of the St. Marks River
A few months later, the CSS Spray, now stationed at St, Marks, moved downriver to below Port Leon and shelled the bay.
In February 1862, the USS Mohawk positioned itself off Lighthouse Point and began shelling the saltworks near the lighthouse. Captain Scott's cavalry, the Tallahassee Guards, moved up to prevent a landing and the Mohawk eventually retired out into the Gulf.
Four months later, the USS Tahoma and Somerset crossed the St. Marks River bar and bombarded Confederate Fort Williams and the saltworks near the lighthouse.The shelling destroyed the barracks and caused the artillerymen stationed there to withdraw.
This is the story that I wrote about back on June 15 which led to all of these stories about the St. Marks River, Fort Williams and the CSS Spray.
--Old B-Runner
In February 1862, the USS Mohawk positioned itself off Lighthouse Point and began shelling the saltworks near the lighthouse. Captain Scott's cavalry, the Tallahassee Guards, moved up to prevent a landing and the Mohawk eventually retired out into the Gulf.
Four months later, the USS Tahoma and Somerset crossed the St. Marks River bar and bombarded Confederate Fort Williams and the saltworks near the lighthouse.The shelling destroyed the barracks and caused the artillerymen stationed there to withdraw.
This is the story that I wrote about back on June 15 which led to all of these stories about the St. Marks River, Fort Williams and the CSS Spray.
--Old B-Runner
June 30, 1862--Part 2: McClellan Withdrawing From Peninsula Campaign
McClellan noted one of the many instances of invaluable naval support as the Confederates pressed to cut off the Union movement to the river: "The rear of the supply trains and the reserve artillery of the army reached Malvern Hill about 4 p.m. At about the same time the enemy began to appear in General Fitz John Porter's front, and at 5 o'clock advanced in large force against his flank, posting artillery under cover of a skirt of timber, with a view to engage our force on Malvern Hill....
"The gunboats rendered most efficient aid at this time, and helped drive back the enemy."
Naval gunfire support was controlled through a system of liaison in which "fall-of-shot" information was sent by the Army signal personnel ashore to Army signal personnel afloat in the gunboats by the Myer's system of signalling.
--Old B-Runner
"The gunboats rendered most efficient aid at this time, and helped drive back the enemy."
Naval gunfire support was controlled through a system of liaison in which "fall-of-shot" information was sent by the Army signal personnel ashore to Army signal personnel afloat in the gunboats by the Myer's system of signalling.
--Old B-Runner
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