Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Henry Schutes-- Part 2: Battle of New Orleans

While performing his duties aboard the USS Wissahickon during the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip in April 1862, some Union ships managed to break through a barrier in the Mississippi River on April 23.  The Wissahickon was one of them.  Fire rafts were sent down to destroy them.

Schutes received his Medal of Honor here.  His citation reads: "his seamanlike qualities as gunner's mate were outstanding," and that he performed his duties with skill and courage.

The ships made it past the Confederate defenses and New Orleans surrendered.

But this wasn't Schutes' only Medal of Honor.  He received a second one nearly a year later.

--Old B-R'er

Another Union Navy Medal of Honor: Captain of the Forecastle Henry Schutes-- Part 1

From the Feb. 12, 2024 Aerotech News by Katie Lang.

Not much is known of Henry Schutes before his enlistment in the U.S. Navy other than he was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1804.

According to the Mount Moriah Cemetery, where he's buried,  he was an experienced sailor before the war began.  The earliest enlistment papers found for him was from 1858 which said he had 22 years of prior mariner experience.  That meant that Schutes joined the Navy  around age 54.

He initially served as a gunner's mate on the USS Don before transferring to the USS Wissahickon.  By April 1862, he had become the captain of the forecastle of that ship.  That was the forward upper deck where sailors slept.

That rank was similar to a current day petty officer.

--Old B-Runner

Marines at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 3: Six Received Medals of Honor

The book said that another 180 Marines aided the Army in their attack on the land face of the fort.

A number of Marines distinguished themselves during the attack.  Six received a Medal of Honor in the action.

Orderly Sergeant Isaac N. Fry and Sgt. Richard Binder received the honor for the manner in which they commanded their ship's guns.  Corporal Andrew J. Tomlin, of the USS Wabash, shouldered a wounded comrade and carried him to safety during the land attack.

Corporal John Rannahan and Pfcs John Shivers from the USS Minnesota, advanced further than any other Marines with their detachment.  LtCdr. James H. Parker, commanding the shore party from that ship remarked:  "Thompson got nearer the fort than any one from our ship by a few yards.  They [all] deserve promotion and medals."

The Marine battalion sustained 15 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and one officer and 45 men wounded during the action.

--Old B-Runner

Marines at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 2: Digging Entrenchments with 'Our Noses and Toes'

Marine Corporal Henry B. Hallowell from the USS Juanita was part of the Naval Brigade and wrote:  "The guns from the fort poured grape and canister into us, cutting us to pieces.  A few managed to crawl to the base of the fort, others tried to retreat, but this was made impossible by a barrage being thrown over our heads from the fort to prevent retreating.

"We were in a pretty fix, with the fort raking our ranks from the front and shells exploding at our rear.  History states that we entrenched ourselves.  The only entrenching we did was hug the ground and dig with our noses and toes."

After prolonged exposure to withering musketry and cannon fire, the sailors carrying only "cutlasses, well sharpened, and ... revolvers" (as per Ad. Porter's orders) broke and ran, carrying the Marines with them.

--Old B-R'er

Marines at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher

From American Civil War Marines 1861-1865 by Ron Field.

This was the engagement where Sgt. Richard Binder received his Medal of Honor although he remained on the USS Ticonderoga and was not in the Naval Column.

The Naval Brigade, which attacked Fort Fisher along the beach while Army regiments  moved along the river side in their simultaneous attack of the fort.  It was under command of  Cmdr. Kidder R. Breese and consisted of 1600 sailors and 400 Marines.

Deployed as sharpshooters during the advance of the Naval Brigade, the Marines, under Captain Lucian L. Dawson, the senior officer of the squadron, were caught up in a generally disorganized assault in which the Army attack was delayed.  Hopelessly pinned down at the base of the defenses of the fort, a few Marines managed to to pass through a breech blown in the 9-foot palisades but were forced to fall back with heavy casualties.

--Old B-Runner

Some More on the New Fort Fisher Visitors Center

From February 21, 2024, BNN Breaking  "Reviving history:  Fort Fisher's new visitor center aims to redefine historical exploration in Kure Beach" by Sakchi Khandelwal.

It's been a journey of persistence and vision, starting in 2009, to bring the new visitor center to Fort Fisher from conception to construction.  Now, with the project underway and scheduled to be completed by Labor Day things are moving along swiftly.

Jim Steele, the Fort Fisher Historic Site Manager, says:  "The new center is not just a building; it's a gateway for visitors to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of our history."

The budget for the whole undertaking is $25 million.  Throughout the whole process, feedback from the public has been a cornerstone of it.

--Old B-R'er

The New Fort Fisher Visitors Center Progressing

From February 21, 2024, WWAY News, Wilmington, N.C. "Fort Fisher Visitor Center Undergoing Finishing Touches" by Emily Andrews.

I've been watching this with more than a little interest as this old Confederate fort is my absolute favorite Civil War place.  Because of it I ended up being a teacher so I could work with history.

The so-far 18-month project began in October 2022 and has a price tag of $25 million.

Right now, plans are for having a ribbon-cutting ceremony this coming Labor Day.

--Old B-Runner

RoadTrippin' Through Laurel Hill Cemetery: More Naval Officers and Marines

GARRETT J. PENDERGRAST  (1802-1862)--  Naval officer War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.

GEORGE C. REAAD  (1788-1862)--  Naval officer

WILLIAM RONCKENDORFF  (1812-1891)--  Naval officer in Mexican and Civil War.

PINKERTON R. VAUGHAN, USMC (1841-1866)--  Medal of Honor recipient on USS Mississippi during action at Port Hudson.

JACOB ZEILIN  (1806-1880)--  USMC Commandant and first Marine general.

--Old B-R'er

Road Trippin' Laurel Hill Cemetery-- Part 3: Navy Officers

SYLVANUS WILLIAM GOGON  (1809-1879)--  US Navy officer, served Mexican and Civil War.  At Fort Fisher.

ELIE A. F. LA VALLETTE  (1790-1862)--  U.S. Navy officer.  Served War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.

EDWARD Y. McCAULEY  (1827-1894)  U.S. navy officer.

GEORGE W. MELVILLE  (1841-1912)--  U. S. navy officer in Civil War.

SAMUEL MERCER  (1799-1862)  U.S. Navy officer.  Mexican War and Civil War.

--Old B-R'er

MCCWRT Discussion Set for February 24: Battle of the Ironclads at Hampton Roads

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table will be having its monthly discussion group on Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Panera Bread Co. store in Crystal Lake, Illinois.  This month the topic will be "The Battle of the Ironclads at Hampton Roads.

It will be in person and on Zoom if we can get it up.

This battle between the CSS Virginia and USS Monitor changed naval warfare for ever. 

Everyone invited (even non-members).  All you need is an interest in history and especially the Civil War.  And we even stay on topic at times.

Panera Bread is located on US-14 (Northwest Highway) by Main Street.

We meet from 10 am to 11:30.

Come on Down.  --Old B-Runner

Road Trippin' to Laurel Hill Cemetery-- Part 2: Civil War

JOHN A. DAHLGREN  (1809-1870)--  Admiral and commander of South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.  Invented the Dahlgren gun.

PERCIVAL DRAYTON  (1812-1865)--  Union Navy officer.

CHARLES ELLET JR.  (1810-1862)--  U.S. engineer who designed the Wheeling Suspension Bridge and during the Civil War , as an Army colonel, created and commanded the United States Ram Fleet in the Mississippi River.

CHARLES RIVERS ELLET  (1843-1863)--  Charles Ellett Jr's son and colonel in Union Army who commanded ships in the Ram Fleet.

--Old B-Runner

Road Trippin' to Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia

From Wikipedia.

While researching the West Laurel Hill Cemetery, I found out it was a part of the larger Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.  I figured I might as well look there for notables while Road Trippin'.

There were some, including naval officers who served during the War of 1812 which included the commander of the USS Constitution in its famed battle with the HMS Guerriere, Isaac Hull.  And, there were several other naval officers from the War of 1812, Mexican and Civil Wars.  

I'll write about the War of 1812 navy officers in my Not So Forgotten:  War of 1812 blog.

Also, Union General George Gordon Meade, the victor at the Battle of Gettysburg is buried there.

Any naval officer connected to the Civil War will be listed in this blog.

--Old B-R'er

Other Medal of Honor Recipients Buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery

From Wikipedia.

Continuing with my Road Tripping Through History.

There are four other Union veterans buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery  (Name, life & where he earned his Medal of Honor):

CHARLES M. BETTS (1838-1905)  Greensboro, N.C. April 1865.  (This would have made him one of the last to receive the Medal during the war.)

WALLACE W.JOHNSON  (1842-1911)  2nd Day Battle of Gettysburg

GEORGE HENRY STOCKTON  (1833-1912)  Vicksburg

ELWOOD N. WILLIAMS  (1842-1921)  Shiloh

--Old B-Runner

Road Trippin' Through History; About the Cemetery Where Sgt. Binder Was Buried

One thing I do when I di these blogs is take a road trip through history from time to time.  That is when I take a post and see where it takes me.  In this case, I'll be writing about the USS Ticonderoga, on which the good sergeant was serving and also do some research also on the cemetery where he was buried, West Laurel Hill,  and see if there is anyone buried there of interest.

 There is quite a long article in Wikipedia about this cemetery in Bela Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, west of Philadelphia.  It was established in 1869 and has 200 acres.  It is affiliated with the nearby Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Quite a few notable people and there is a long list of them.  I have heard of some of them and others are of definite interest.

There are several other Union soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Honor.

I will cover them in the next post.

--Old B-Runner

The Text of Sgt. Binder's Medal of Honor

From the Naval History and Heritage Command.

"BINDER, RICHARD, Sergeant USMC.  Born 1840, Philadelphia, Pa.  Accredited to Pennsylvania.

On board the USS Ticonderoga during the attacks on Fort Fisher, 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13 to 15 January 1865.  Despite heavy return fire by the enemy,  and the explosion of the  100-pounder Parrott rifle which killed8 men and wounded 12 more, Sergeant Binder, as Captain of a gun, performed his duties with skill and courage during the two days of battle.

As his ship again took position on the 13th, he remained steadfast as the Ticonderoga maintained a well-placed fire upon the batteries on shore, and thereafter, as she materially lessened the power of the guns on the mound which had been turned upon our assaulting columns.

During the action,  the flag was planted on one of the strongest fortifications possessed by the rebels."

--Old B-Runner