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re: 150 years ago today...August 20th, 1863...
Posted on 4/6/13 at 2:57 pm to dallasga6
Posted on 4/6/13 at 2:57 pm to dallasga6
Columbia Daily Tribune LINK has been doing this column for a while. If you ever have the strange desire to add some border state-centric stuff.
This post was edited on 4/6/13 at 2:58 pm
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Posted on 4/6/13 at 3:06 pm to Bham4Tide
quote:feel free any time, I just started the thread cause it's interesting to me & I thought a few others might be interested too...
150 years ago today...April 6, 1863...
I have a MA in History (and Collaborative Education) . . . I know, right?
But, thanks for the read. If I see anything, and if you don't mind, may I add something here and there?
Posted on 4/6/13 at 8:03 pm to dallasga6
The South will rise again.
Posted on 4/7/13 at 2:49 pm to dallasga6
April 7, 1863
Rear Admiral Samuel F. DuPont commenced his attack on Charleston, South Carolina, today and engaged the strong Confederate forts in Charleston harbor with nine ironclad monitors and gunboats. DuPont made the signal to get underway at noon, "...this...," the Admiral reported, "...being the earliest hour at which, owing to the state of the tide, the pilots would consent to move." The USS Weehawken, in the van pushing a raft to clear torpedoes from the path of the line ahead column, fouled the torpedo grapnels attached to the raft, delaying the movement for an hour, and continued to impede the column's progress throughout so that it was nearly 3 o'clock before the ships came within range of Forts Moultrie and Sumter in the harbor. The Weehawken opened on Fort Sumter shortly after 3, followed by the other monitors. The ships were pummeled by fire from both Sumter and Fort Moultrie, and all were hit dozens of times. The Confederates had not only heavily obstructed the channels to Charleston, but they had also marked them with range indicators for their gunners in the forts, "...which...,'' Ammen later observed, "...greatly increased the accuracy of the fire from the forts as the vessels passed.''
As the Weehawken became hotly engaged, a torpedo exploded near her; "...it lifted the vessel a little...," the indomitable Captain John Rodgers reported, "...but I am unable to perceive that it has done us any damage." Of greater concern to the commander of the lead ship were the obstructions extending from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. "The appearance was so formidable," Rodgers wrote, "that, upon deliberate judgment, I thought it not right to entangle the vessel in obstructions which I did not think we could have passed through, and in which we should have been caught." He swung his ship's bow to seaward to prevent being swept against the obstructions by the strong flood tide which made the ironclads virtually unmanageable at times during the engagement. The Weehawken steamed a few hundred feet southward to give the ships in the rear opportunity to turn in her wake. Engaged for 40 minutes, the lead ironclad was hit 53 times and was taking water through a shot hole which had been made in the deck.
Next in line, the Passaic had her XI-inch gun disabled for several hours and the turret was temporarily unable to turn. All the plates forming the upper edge of the turret were broken and the pilot house badly dented while she was receiving some 35 hits from the forts. The Montauk, maneuvering with difficulty was struck some 14 times with little effect as she, like the Passaic, turned in Weehawken's wake away from the obstructions. The Patapsco, endeavoring to turn short of Montauk's wake, lost headway and failed to obey the helm. She became a sitting target for the guns of Forts Sumter and Moultrie and took 47 hits. Backing, she was brought under control and turned seaward. The flagship, New Ironsides, had become unmanageable in the heavy current, and the Catskill passed her, approaching to within some 600 yards of Sumter where the pointblank fire of her guns blasted a barbette gun from its mount. Caught in the forts' crossfire like the others, the Catskill received 20 shots, one of which broke the deck plates and deck planking forward, causing her to take water. Meanwhile, DuPont's flagship, the USS New Ironsides narrowly escaped destruction as she lay directly over a Confederate electric torpedo containing 2,000 pounds of powder near Fort Wagner. The Confederates made every effort to fire the torpedo, and it was later discovered that a connecting wire had been cut by a wagon passing over it.
The Nantucket followed the Catskill past the flagship and was badly battered by 51 hits, one jamming her turret. The Nahant took 36 hits: 3 disabled the turret; the impact of another broke off a segment of interior iron weighing nearly 80 pounds which wreaked havoc with the steering gear. Nuts from iron bolts sheered off, fatally wounding the helmsman and injuring the pilot.
The Keokuk was compelled to run ahead of the crippled Nahant to avoid getting foul of her in the narrow channel and strong tide. This brought the last ironclad less than 600 yards from Fort Sumter, where she remained for half an hour. Colonel Alfred Rhett, CSA, wrote: "She received our undivided attention. . . Keokuk was riddled by 90 hits, one-fifth of which pierced her at or below the waterline. She was withdrawn from the action and anchored overnight outside of range of the forts, where the crew was able to keep her afloat only because of the calm seas." Next day, 8 April, a breeze came up, Keokuk took on more water, and, rapidly filling, sank.
With darkness approaching and his ironclads severely battered, DuPont broke off the action. He reported to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles: "When I withdrew the ironclad vessels from action on the evening of the 7th, I did so because I deemed it too late in the day to attempt to force a passage through the obstructions which we had encountered, and I fully intended to resume offensive operations the next day; but when I received the reports of the commanders of the ironclads as to the injuries those vessels had sustained and their performance in action I was fully convinced that a renewal of the attack could not result in the capture of Charleston, but would, in all probability, end in the destruction of a portion of the ironclad fleet and might leave several of them sunk within reach of the enemy (which opinion I afterwards learned was fully shared in by all their commanders). I therefore determined not to renew the attack." Darkness cut off the attack, and DuPont advised that Charleston could not be taken by sea assault.
The Confederates badly beat back a serious threat and gained a stunning victory. DuPont was thankful that the result was "...a failure instead of a disaster." He wrote General Hunter: "I am now satisfied that that place cannot he taken by a purely naval attack, and I am admonished by the condition of these vessels that a persistence in our efforts would end in disaster and might cause us to leave some of our ironclads in the hands of the enemy, which would render it difficult for us to hold those parts of the coast which are now in our possession." Hunter replied: "No country can ever fail that has men capable of facing what your ironclads had yesterday to endure." Admiral Porter later wrote: "It was certainly the hardest task undertaken by the Navy during the war."
Rear Admiral David D. Porter informed Welles that Army troops had been sent up " ...to take possession of the country through which we lately took the gunboats. When that is secured we can reach the Yazoo as we please, provided the water keeps up. I am preparing to pass the batteries of Vicksburg with most of the fleet. General Grant is Marching his army below, and we are going to endeavor to turn Vicksburg and get to Jackson by a very practicable route. . . . The enemy, owing to our late raids on them, have much reduced their force at Vicksburg. They are cut off from all supplies from below; so is Port Hudson." The long joint operation against the Southern stronghold was moving into its final stages.
The gunboat USS Barataria, commanded by Acting Ensign James F. Perkins, on a reconnaissance mission in the Amite River with troops embarked, struck a snag in Lake Maurepas, Louisiana, and was destroyed by her crew to prevent capture.
A successful expedition into Gloucester County, Virginia, to capture and destroy cattle and grain belonging to the Confederates, was made by Colonel A. H. Grimshaw, of the Fourth Delaware infantry. He succeeded in destroying over ten thousand dollars' worth of property that had been collected for the use of the Rebels, and in capturing over three hundred cattle, sheep and other livestock.
Rear Admiral Samuel F. DuPont commenced his attack on Charleston, South Carolina, today and engaged the strong Confederate forts in Charleston harbor with nine ironclad monitors and gunboats. DuPont made the signal to get underway at noon, "...this...," the Admiral reported, "...being the earliest hour at which, owing to the state of the tide, the pilots would consent to move." The USS Weehawken, in the van pushing a raft to clear torpedoes from the path of the line ahead column, fouled the torpedo grapnels attached to the raft, delaying the movement for an hour, and continued to impede the column's progress throughout so that it was nearly 3 o'clock before the ships came within range of Forts Moultrie and Sumter in the harbor. The Weehawken opened on Fort Sumter shortly after 3, followed by the other monitors. The ships were pummeled by fire from both Sumter and Fort Moultrie, and all were hit dozens of times. The Confederates had not only heavily obstructed the channels to Charleston, but they had also marked them with range indicators for their gunners in the forts, "...which...,'' Ammen later observed, "...greatly increased the accuracy of the fire from the forts as the vessels passed.''
As the Weehawken became hotly engaged, a torpedo exploded near her; "...it lifted the vessel a little...," the indomitable Captain John Rodgers reported, "...but I am unable to perceive that it has done us any damage." Of greater concern to the commander of the lead ship were the obstructions extending from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. "The appearance was so formidable," Rodgers wrote, "that, upon deliberate judgment, I thought it not right to entangle the vessel in obstructions which I did not think we could have passed through, and in which we should have been caught." He swung his ship's bow to seaward to prevent being swept against the obstructions by the strong flood tide which made the ironclads virtually unmanageable at times during the engagement. The Weehawken steamed a few hundred feet southward to give the ships in the rear opportunity to turn in her wake. Engaged for 40 minutes, the lead ironclad was hit 53 times and was taking water through a shot hole which had been made in the deck.
Next in line, the Passaic had her XI-inch gun disabled for several hours and the turret was temporarily unable to turn. All the plates forming the upper edge of the turret were broken and the pilot house badly dented while she was receiving some 35 hits from the forts. The Montauk, maneuvering with difficulty was struck some 14 times with little effect as she, like the Passaic, turned in Weehawken's wake away from the obstructions. The Patapsco, endeavoring to turn short of Montauk's wake, lost headway and failed to obey the helm. She became a sitting target for the guns of Forts Sumter and Moultrie and took 47 hits. Backing, she was brought under control and turned seaward. The flagship, New Ironsides, had become unmanageable in the heavy current, and the Catskill passed her, approaching to within some 600 yards of Sumter where the pointblank fire of her guns blasted a barbette gun from its mount. Caught in the forts' crossfire like the others, the Catskill received 20 shots, one of which broke the deck plates and deck planking forward, causing her to take water. Meanwhile, DuPont's flagship, the USS New Ironsides narrowly escaped destruction as she lay directly over a Confederate electric torpedo containing 2,000 pounds of powder near Fort Wagner. The Confederates made every effort to fire the torpedo, and it was later discovered that a connecting wire had been cut by a wagon passing over it.
The Nantucket followed the Catskill past the flagship and was badly battered by 51 hits, one jamming her turret. The Nahant took 36 hits: 3 disabled the turret; the impact of another broke off a segment of interior iron weighing nearly 80 pounds which wreaked havoc with the steering gear. Nuts from iron bolts sheered off, fatally wounding the helmsman and injuring the pilot.
The Keokuk was compelled to run ahead of the crippled Nahant to avoid getting foul of her in the narrow channel and strong tide. This brought the last ironclad less than 600 yards from Fort Sumter, where she remained for half an hour. Colonel Alfred Rhett, CSA, wrote: "She received our undivided attention. . . Keokuk was riddled by 90 hits, one-fifth of which pierced her at or below the waterline. She was withdrawn from the action and anchored overnight outside of range of the forts, where the crew was able to keep her afloat only because of the calm seas." Next day, 8 April, a breeze came up, Keokuk took on more water, and, rapidly filling, sank.
With darkness approaching and his ironclads severely battered, DuPont broke off the action. He reported to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles: "When I withdrew the ironclad vessels from action on the evening of the 7th, I did so because I deemed it too late in the day to attempt to force a passage through the obstructions which we had encountered, and I fully intended to resume offensive operations the next day; but when I received the reports of the commanders of the ironclads as to the injuries those vessels had sustained and their performance in action I was fully convinced that a renewal of the attack could not result in the capture of Charleston, but would, in all probability, end in the destruction of a portion of the ironclad fleet and might leave several of them sunk within reach of the enemy (which opinion I afterwards learned was fully shared in by all their commanders). I therefore determined not to renew the attack." Darkness cut off the attack, and DuPont advised that Charleston could not be taken by sea assault.
The Confederates badly beat back a serious threat and gained a stunning victory. DuPont was thankful that the result was "...a failure instead of a disaster." He wrote General Hunter: "I am now satisfied that that place cannot he taken by a purely naval attack, and I am admonished by the condition of these vessels that a persistence in our efforts would end in disaster and might cause us to leave some of our ironclads in the hands of the enemy, which would render it difficult for us to hold those parts of the coast which are now in our possession." Hunter replied: "No country can ever fail that has men capable of facing what your ironclads had yesterday to endure." Admiral Porter later wrote: "It was certainly the hardest task undertaken by the Navy during the war."
Rear Admiral David D. Porter informed Welles that Army troops had been sent up " ...to take possession of the country through which we lately took the gunboats. When that is secured we can reach the Yazoo as we please, provided the water keeps up. I am preparing to pass the batteries of Vicksburg with most of the fleet. General Grant is Marching his army below, and we are going to endeavor to turn Vicksburg and get to Jackson by a very practicable route. . . . The enemy, owing to our late raids on them, have much reduced their force at Vicksburg. They are cut off from all supplies from below; so is Port Hudson." The long joint operation against the Southern stronghold was moving into its final stages.
The gunboat USS Barataria, commanded by Acting Ensign James F. Perkins, on a reconnaissance mission in the Amite River with troops embarked, struck a snag in Lake Maurepas, Louisiana, and was destroyed by her crew to prevent capture.
A successful expedition into Gloucester County, Virginia, to capture and destroy cattle and grain belonging to the Confederates, was made by Colonel A. H. Grimshaw, of the Fourth Delaware infantry. He succeeded in destroying over ten thousand dollars' worth of property that had been collected for the use of the Rebels, and in capturing over three hundred cattle, sheep and other livestock.
Posted on 4/8/13 at 6:01 pm to dallasga6
April 8, 1863
An extremely unusual craft made rendezvous with the USS Richmond below Port Hudson, Louisiana today. Edward C. Gabaudan, secretary to Rear Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, needed to get a message to the captain of the Richmond, but no communications were available. Gabaudan arrived on board the Richmond with a dispatch from the river above after safely floating in a small boat past the Port Hudson batteries. Loyall Farragut, the Admiral's son, vividly described Gabaudan's memorable exploit: "A small dug-out was covered with twigs, ingeniously arranged to resemble the floating trees which were a common sight on the Mississippi. At nightfall Mr. Gabaudan lay down in the bottom of his little craft under the brush, with his revolver and a small paddle by his side, and silently drifted out into the current, followed by the prayers of his shipmates. He reached the Richmond in safety, with but one adventure, which came near being his last. His frail bark was swept in so close to the shore that he could distinctly hear the sentinels talking. The size of his craft attracted attention, and a boat put out to make an examination. Gabaudan felt that his time had come; but with a finger on the trigger of his revolver, he determined to fight for his liberty, and quietly awaited discovery. Fortunately for him, the rebels were not in a pulling humor that night, and seemed satisfied with a cursory glance. His mind was greatly relieved when they pronounced him to be 'only a log,' and returned to the shore. About ten o'clock pm. a rocket was seen to dart up into the air some miles below, a signal of the success of the perilous under-taking."
The USS Gem of the Sea, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Baxter, seized the blockade running British schooner Maggie Fulton off Indian River Inlet, Florida. "I am confident," Baxter reported to Rear Admiral Bailey, "that no vessels have run in or out of either Jupiter or Indian River inlets since the 6th of March, 1863, as our boats are in the river whenever the bar will permit them to cross."
The Richmond Dispatch of this date, said: "We have published the gist of the correspondence between Mr. Mason and Lord Russell, on the question of the legality of the blockade of our ports by the Yankee Government, and the recognition of the Confederacy. No Southern man can read it without feelings of indignation and contempt ? indignation for the cold and stony haughtiness, not to say rudeness of manner of the British Minister toward Mr. Mason, afterward only partially atoned for by a disavowal of any personal disrespect, and contempt for the subterfuges resorted to, to cover a selfish policy. We must not forget, whatever the ministry may do or propose, that our country has received the most valuable assistance from the people of England, and at this time there are schemes on foot there, of great importance to us."
The Union gunboat George Washington, while on a reconnaissance up Broad River, South Carolina, was stranded, and soon afterward attacked by a party of Confederates on shore, who succeeded in throwing a shell into her magazine and blowing her up. Two of the Federals were killed and eight wounded, all belonging to the Third Rhode Island artillery.
Confederate forces under Lieutenant Colonel Thomas G. Woodward captured and burned the R.C.M. Lovell and Saxonia on the Cumberland River, after killing the captain of the latter, and severely wounding the captain of the former.
The Tallahatchie fleet, consisting of the divisions under Generals Ross and Quimby, and numerous gunboats and mortar boats, arrived at Helena, Arkansas. The expedition, which had been absent forty-three days, left Fort Greenwood on the fifth. As soon as the bustle was observed by the Confederates, the Southerners opened a brisk fire upon the woods where batteries had been planted, which continued till the last boat steamed up the river. On the passage, the boats were frequently fired on by guerrillas. A number of soldiers were wounded and around thirty killed.
An extremely unusual craft made rendezvous with the USS Richmond below Port Hudson, Louisiana today. Edward C. Gabaudan, secretary to Rear Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, needed to get a message to the captain of the Richmond, but no communications were available. Gabaudan arrived on board the Richmond with a dispatch from the river above after safely floating in a small boat past the Port Hudson batteries. Loyall Farragut, the Admiral's son, vividly described Gabaudan's memorable exploit: "A small dug-out was covered with twigs, ingeniously arranged to resemble the floating trees which were a common sight on the Mississippi. At nightfall Mr. Gabaudan lay down in the bottom of his little craft under the brush, with his revolver and a small paddle by his side, and silently drifted out into the current, followed by the prayers of his shipmates. He reached the Richmond in safety, with but one adventure, which came near being his last. His frail bark was swept in so close to the shore that he could distinctly hear the sentinels talking. The size of his craft attracted attention, and a boat put out to make an examination. Gabaudan felt that his time had come; but with a finger on the trigger of his revolver, he determined to fight for his liberty, and quietly awaited discovery. Fortunately for him, the rebels were not in a pulling humor that night, and seemed satisfied with a cursory glance. His mind was greatly relieved when they pronounced him to be 'only a log,' and returned to the shore. About ten o'clock pm. a rocket was seen to dart up into the air some miles below, a signal of the success of the perilous under-taking."
The USS Gem of the Sea, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Baxter, seized the blockade running British schooner Maggie Fulton off Indian River Inlet, Florida. "I am confident," Baxter reported to Rear Admiral Bailey, "that no vessels have run in or out of either Jupiter or Indian River inlets since the 6th of March, 1863, as our boats are in the river whenever the bar will permit them to cross."
The Richmond Dispatch of this date, said: "We have published the gist of the correspondence between Mr. Mason and Lord Russell, on the question of the legality of the blockade of our ports by the Yankee Government, and the recognition of the Confederacy. No Southern man can read it without feelings of indignation and contempt ? indignation for the cold and stony haughtiness, not to say rudeness of manner of the British Minister toward Mr. Mason, afterward only partially atoned for by a disavowal of any personal disrespect, and contempt for the subterfuges resorted to, to cover a selfish policy. We must not forget, whatever the ministry may do or propose, that our country has received the most valuable assistance from the people of England, and at this time there are schemes on foot there, of great importance to us."
The Union gunboat George Washington, while on a reconnaissance up Broad River, South Carolina, was stranded, and soon afterward attacked by a party of Confederates on shore, who succeeded in throwing a shell into her magazine and blowing her up. Two of the Federals were killed and eight wounded, all belonging to the Third Rhode Island artillery.
Confederate forces under Lieutenant Colonel Thomas G. Woodward captured and burned the R.C.M. Lovell and Saxonia on the Cumberland River, after killing the captain of the latter, and severely wounding the captain of the former.
The Tallahatchie fleet, consisting of the divisions under Generals Ross and Quimby, and numerous gunboats and mortar boats, arrived at Helena, Arkansas. The expedition, which had been absent forty-three days, left Fort Greenwood on the fifth. As soon as the bustle was observed by the Confederates, the Southerners opened a brisk fire upon the woods where batteries had been planted, which continued till the last boat steamed up the river. On the passage, the boats were frequently fired on by guerrillas. A number of soldiers were wounded and around thirty killed.
Posted on 4/9/13 at 9:13 am to dallasga6
quote:
"A small dug-out was covered with twigs, ingeniously arranged to resemble the floating trees which were a common sight on the Mississippi. At nightfall Mr. Gabaudan lay down in the bottom of his little craft under the brush, with his revolver and a small paddle by his side, and silently drifted out into the current, followed by the prayers of his shipmates. He reached the Richmond in safety, with but one adventure, which came near being his last. His frail bark was swept in so close to the shore that he could distinctly hear the sentinels talking. The size of his craft attracted attention, and a boat put out to make an examination. Gabaudan felt that his time had come; but with a finger on the trigger of his revolver, he determined to fight for his liberty, and quietly awaited discovery. Fortunately for him, the rebels were not in a pulling humor that night, and seemed satisfied with a cursory glance. His mind was greatly relieved when they pronounced him to be 'only a log,' and returned to the shore. About ten o'clock pm. a rocket was seen to dart up into the air some miles below, a signal of the success of the perilous under-taking."
BA
Posted on 4/9/13 at 2:50 pm to wadewilson
April 9, 1863
Not much of great noteworthiness occurred today... Aside from hostilities in Pascagoula Mississippi and a few skirmishes at Franklin Tennessee, Sedalia Missouri, Blount's Mill North Carolina and Berwick Bay Louisiana, relative peace prevailed upon the land. This trend would not continue long...
John A. Quinterro, the Confederate Commissioner in Monterrey, Mexico, wrote Secretary of War Benjamin: "Narciso Monturio [of Barcelona, Spain] has invented a vessel for submarine navigation. She is called Ictineos (fish-like vessel). As a man-of-war she can prevent not only the bombardment of the ports, but also the landing of the enemy. If...the necessary number of vessels [are] built, no Federal squadron would dare to approach our coasts...The Ictineos have guns which fire under water and also rams and torpedoes. They can navigate in a depth of about twenty-five fathoms...The inventor creates an artificial atmosphere...and carries with him the elements of existence." The Confederates were continuously alert for any development that might contest the stranglehold of the North's overwhelming naval superiority.
Colonel N. U. Daniels, of the Second regiment of Louisiana National volunteers, with one hundred and eighty of his men, left Ship Island on an expedition to Pascagoula, Mississippi. He reached that place and landed his force at nine o'clock in the morning; took possession of the hotel, and hoisted the National flag. Immediately after this, he was attacked by a body of rebel cavalry, supported by one company of infantry, and after a severe fight, in which twenty of the Rebels were killed and a large number wounded, he succeeded in repulsing them, and capturing three prisoners and their colors. Colonel Daniels held the place until two o'clock in the afternoon, when, hearing that large reinforcements for the enemy were coming up the Pascagoula River, he withdrew his men and returned to Ship Island.
A large war meeting was held at Chicago, Illinois, at which speeches were made by William A. Howard of Michigan, Senator Lyman Trumbull, and others.
Not much of great noteworthiness occurred today... Aside from hostilities in Pascagoula Mississippi and a few skirmishes at Franklin Tennessee, Sedalia Missouri, Blount's Mill North Carolina and Berwick Bay Louisiana, relative peace prevailed upon the land. This trend would not continue long...
John A. Quinterro, the Confederate Commissioner in Monterrey, Mexico, wrote Secretary of War Benjamin: "Narciso Monturio [of Barcelona, Spain] has invented a vessel for submarine navigation. She is called Ictineos (fish-like vessel). As a man-of-war she can prevent not only the bombardment of the ports, but also the landing of the enemy. If...the necessary number of vessels [are] built, no Federal squadron would dare to approach our coasts...The Ictineos have guns which fire under water and also rams and torpedoes. They can navigate in a depth of about twenty-five fathoms...The inventor creates an artificial atmosphere...and carries with him the elements of existence." The Confederates were continuously alert for any development that might contest the stranglehold of the North's overwhelming naval superiority.
Colonel N. U. Daniels, of the Second regiment of Louisiana National volunteers, with one hundred and eighty of his men, left Ship Island on an expedition to Pascagoula, Mississippi. He reached that place and landed his force at nine o'clock in the morning; took possession of the hotel, and hoisted the National flag. Immediately after this, he was attacked by a body of rebel cavalry, supported by one company of infantry, and after a severe fight, in which twenty of the Rebels were killed and a large number wounded, he succeeded in repulsing them, and capturing three prisoners and their colors. Colonel Daniels held the place until two o'clock in the afternoon, when, hearing that large reinforcements for the enemy were coming up the Pascagoula River, he withdrew his men and returned to Ship Island.
A large war meeting was held at Chicago, Illinois, at which speeches were made by William A. Howard of Michigan, Senator Lyman Trumbull, and others.
This post was edited on 4/9/13 at 2:57 pm
Posted on 4/10/13 at 4:39 pm to dallasga6
April 10, 1863
President Jefferson Davis kicked off a campaign today which would be copied many times in later years by other Presidents. He issued a call to his people to plant what a later day would call "victory gardens" on land which would normally be devoted to cotton, tobacco and other items usually sold for export. He pointed out that the Union blockade prevented most exports, and the army as well as the people needed the food. The campaign was largely successful. Davis said: "We began this struggle without a single gun afloat, while the resources of our 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." Davis, in compliance with the request of the Confederate Congress, issued an address to the people of the Southern States, invoking their attention "...to the present position and future prospects of our country, and to the duties which patriotism imposes on us all during this great struggle for our homes and our liberties."
An expedition led by Lieutenant Commander Thomas O.Selfridge of the USS Conestoga cut across Beulah Bend, Mississippi, and destroyed guerrilla stations that had harassed Union shipping on the river.
A boat crew under Lieutenant Benjamin F. Day from the USS New London, while reconnoitering Confederate strength in the Sabine City area, captured a small sloop and four prisoners, including Captain Charles Fowler, who had commanded the CSS Josiah Bell when the USS Morning Light and Velocity were captured in January 1863.
A landing party under Acting Master John C. Dutch, commanding the USS Kingfisher, captured Confederate pickets on Edisto Island, South Carolina.
Lieutenant Rickertson, of the Eighteenth Ohio regiment, stationed at Demosville, Kentucky, having received information that a band of Confederates were in the habit of holding meetings at Morris's Mills, in Campbell County, left his camp on the day before yesterday for the purpose of capturing them. He did not find them at Morris's Mills, but two miles farther on, near Roushe's house, he captured two men belonging to the partisan guerrilla band under Jim Caldwell. Continuing the pursuit yesterday, Lieutenant Rickertson encamped within "thirty yards of the rebels without either party having a knowledge of it, and this morning Caldwell's party got the start, Lieutenant Rickertson, upon hearing of their movement, following in pursuit." The Rebels were not overtaken until they reached the vicinity of Germantown, in Mason County, where they were surprised and completely routed. Lieutenant Daniels of the Rebel party was killed in the fight that took place, and three others were wounded. Caldwell escaped on a very fleet horse, while his men, except three who were captured, fled to the woods, leaving their horses in the hands of the Federals.
Major General Earl Van Dorn's forces attacked Federals in Franklin, Tennessee, in a sharp engagement, but a counterattack by the Union army of occupation, under the command of General G. Granger forced the Confederates to withdraw.
The Confederates in the vicinity of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, having been gathering all the horses fit for cavalry service, General Rosecrans ordered all the good animals in that neighborhood to be taken by the forces under his command. While engaged in this duty, seventy of his men met a smaller number of Rebels near Waverly, when a fight ensued, in which twenty-one of the latter, including Major Blondin and two captains, were taken prisoners.
The expedition which went out from Newbern, North Carolina, under General Spinola, to reinforce General Foster at Washington, returned to Newbern, having been unsuccessful in their objective.
President Jefferson Davis kicked off a campaign today which would be copied many times in later years by other Presidents. He issued a call to his people to plant what a later day would call "victory gardens" on land which would normally be devoted to cotton, tobacco and other items usually sold for export. He pointed out that the Union blockade prevented most exports, and the army as well as the people needed the food. The campaign was largely successful. Davis said: "We began this struggle without a single gun afloat, while the resources of our 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." Davis, in compliance with the request of the Confederate Congress, issued an address to the people of the Southern States, invoking their attention "...to the present position and future prospects of our country, and to the duties which patriotism imposes on us all during this great struggle for our homes and our liberties."
An expedition led by Lieutenant Commander Thomas O.Selfridge of the USS Conestoga cut across Beulah Bend, Mississippi, and destroyed guerrilla stations that had harassed Union shipping on the river.
A boat crew under Lieutenant Benjamin F. Day from the USS New London, while reconnoitering Confederate strength in the Sabine City area, captured a small sloop and four prisoners, including Captain Charles Fowler, who had commanded the CSS Josiah Bell when the USS Morning Light and Velocity were captured in January 1863.
A landing party under Acting Master John C. Dutch, commanding the USS Kingfisher, captured Confederate pickets on Edisto Island, South Carolina.
Lieutenant Rickertson, of the Eighteenth Ohio regiment, stationed at Demosville, Kentucky, having received information that a band of Confederates were in the habit of holding meetings at Morris's Mills, in Campbell County, left his camp on the day before yesterday for the purpose of capturing them. He did not find them at Morris's Mills, but two miles farther on, near Roushe's house, he captured two men belonging to the partisan guerrilla band under Jim Caldwell. Continuing the pursuit yesterday, Lieutenant Rickertson encamped within "thirty yards of the rebels without either party having a knowledge of it, and this morning Caldwell's party got the start, Lieutenant Rickertson, upon hearing of their movement, following in pursuit." The Rebels were not overtaken until they reached the vicinity of Germantown, in Mason County, where they were surprised and completely routed. Lieutenant Daniels of the Rebel party was killed in the fight that took place, and three others were wounded. Caldwell escaped on a very fleet horse, while his men, except three who were captured, fled to the woods, leaving their horses in the hands of the Federals.
Major General Earl Van Dorn's forces attacked Federals in Franklin, Tennessee, in a sharp engagement, but a counterattack by the Union army of occupation, under the command of General G. Granger forced the Confederates to withdraw.
The Confederates in the vicinity of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, having been gathering all the horses fit for cavalry service, General Rosecrans ordered all the good animals in that neighborhood to be taken by the forces under his command. While engaged in this duty, seventy of his men met a smaller number of Rebels near Waverly, when a fight ensued, in which twenty-one of the latter, including Major Blondin and two captains, were taken prisoners.
The expedition which went out from Newbern, North Carolina, under General Spinola, to reinforce General Foster at Washington, returned to Newbern, having been unsuccessful in their objective.
Posted on 4/11/13 at 3:10 pm to dallasga6
April 11, 1863
Every Union commander in the Suffolk and James River areas of Virginia was this morning telegraphing pleas for Naval gunboats to be sent as protection against fears of Southern attacks. Threatened by a rumored "large force" of Confederates, Army commanders requested support from Rear Admiral S. P. Lee, who speedily replied that there were already three small naval vessels "...up the Nansemond or at its mouth." They actually didn't know how much trouble they were in. General James Longstreet, also known as Old Pete, Lee's War Horse and Bull of the Woods, was coming. With his entire corps he encircled the Suffolk area and launched a siege which lasted a month. The next day, 12 April, Lee would send the USS Commodore Barney, Lieutenant William B. Cushing in command, "...to assist in repelling the enemy, who are surrounding Suffolk."
General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, believing that a renewal of the naval attack on Charleston was imminent, wrote Lieutenant William A. Webb, Confederate States Navy, regarding an offensive measure to remove this threat: "Upon further reflection, after the discussion of yesterday with Captain Tucker and yourself, I think it would be preferable to attack each of the enemy's seven iron-dads (six monitors and one Ironsides), now inside the bar, with at least two of your spar-torpedo row-boats, instead of the number (six in all) already agreed upon. I believe it will be as easy to surprise at the same time the whole of those iron-dads as a part of them. . . . about dark on the first calm night (the sooner the better) I would rendezvous all my boats at the mouth of the creek in the rear of Cummings Point, Morris Island. There I would await the proper hour of the night, which should not be too late, in order to take advantage of the present condition of the moon. . . . Having arrived at the point of the beach designated [opposite the fleet] I would form line of attack, putting my torpedoes in position, and would give orders that my boats should attack by twos any monitor or Ironsides they should encounter on their way out, answering to the enemy's hail 'Boats on secret expedition' or merely 'Contrabands'. . . . I feel convinced that with nerve and proper precaution on the part of your boats' crews, and with the protection of a kind Providence, not one of the enemy's monsters so much boasted of by them, would live to see the next morning's sun." The next day, however, the Union ironclads withdrew outside the bar, foiling the proposed torpedo attack.
Meanwhile, Southerners threatened Union positions on the York River as well, and Yorktown was felt to be in danger. Another appeal for naval support was sent to Lee, who ordered the USS Commodore Morris to aid USS Crusader in that area. Whether in the North Carolina Sounds or the Virginia rivers, the demand for the services of the gunboats of the North Atlantic Squadron was great. As Admiral David Dixon Porter later wrote: ''After all, most of these gun-boats were merely improvised for the occasion, and the Army transports, armed with field pieces, would have answered the same purpose. But the soldiers were not used to managing steamers up the narrow streams or handling guns behind the frail bulwarks of wooden gunboats. Only sailors could do that kind of work, and the Army were only too glad to have them do it."
Secretary of the Navy Gideon E. Welles instructed Rear Admiral Samuel F. DuPont to ''...retain a strong force off Charleston, even should you find it impossible to carry the place." Though the large scale attack four days before had failed, it was believed that the presence of the fleet at Charleston would keep the Confederates "...in apprehension of a renewed attack, in order that they may be occupied and not come North or go West to the aid of the rebels with whom our forces will soon be in conflict..." The Union's ability to strike with vigor at a variety of points under sea power's flexibility continued to keep Confederate strength dispersed.
The Confederate steamer Stonewall Jackson, formerly the British steamer Leopard, while attempting to run into the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, was "...hotly chased by half a dozen blockaders, which fired at her, and she received several shots through her hull. Captain Black finding it impossible to escape, ran the steamer on the beach and burned her. The crew and passengers took to the boats and arrived at Charleston. The steamer was burned to the water's edge in sight of the Yankees. Her cargo consisted of several pieces of field artillery, two hundred barrels of salt-peter, forty thousand army shoes, and a large assortment of merchandise."
A strong Union force under the command of Colonel A. D. Straight, left Nashville, Tennessee., on a raid into Alabama and Georgia.
Yesterday, the Fifty-Ninth Virginia Confederate regiment, Colonel William B. Tabb commanding, was sent to the roar of Fort Magruder, at Williamsburg, Virginia. At the break of day this morning, he made a rapid descent upon the Federal cavalry encampment at Whitaker's Mill, and destroyed the whole garrison, commissary and hospital stores, and an immense amount of ammunition, besides killing a large number of horses. Five of the Yankees were killed, several wounded, nineteen taken prisoners, and some twenty or so of the sick paroled. After this feat Colonel Tabb made good his retreat without the loss of a man ? only one officer and private wounded.
A brief skirmish occurred in the vicinity of the Blackwater, Virginia, between the Union pickets and a party of Confederates, in which the former were forced back with the loss of several of their number taken prisoners.
At Sheffield, England, an engraver was arrested and jailed on charge of forging the Treasury Notes of the United States.
Every Union commander in the Suffolk and James River areas of Virginia was this morning telegraphing pleas for Naval gunboats to be sent as protection against fears of Southern attacks. Threatened by a rumored "large force" of Confederates, Army commanders requested support from Rear Admiral S. P. Lee, who speedily replied that there were already three small naval vessels "...up the Nansemond or at its mouth." They actually didn't know how much trouble they were in. General James Longstreet, also known as Old Pete, Lee's War Horse and Bull of the Woods, was coming. With his entire corps he encircled the Suffolk area and launched a siege which lasted a month. The next day, 12 April, Lee would send the USS Commodore Barney, Lieutenant William B. Cushing in command, "...to assist in repelling the enemy, who are surrounding Suffolk."
General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, believing that a renewal of the naval attack on Charleston was imminent, wrote Lieutenant William A. Webb, Confederate States Navy, regarding an offensive measure to remove this threat: "Upon further reflection, after the discussion of yesterday with Captain Tucker and yourself, I think it would be preferable to attack each of the enemy's seven iron-dads (six monitors and one Ironsides), now inside the bar, with at least two of your spar-torpedo row-boats, instead of the number (six in all) already agreed upon. I believe it will be as easy to surprise at the same time the whole of those iron-dads as a part of them. . . . about dark on the first calm night (the sooner the better) I would rendezvous all my boats at the mouth of the creek in the rear of Cummings Point, Morris Island. There I would await the proper hour of the night, which should not be too late, in order to take advantage of the present condition of the moon. . . . Having arrived at the point of the beach designated [opposite the fleet] I would form line of attack, putting my torpedoes in position, and would give orders that my boats should attack by twos any monitor or Ironsides they should encounter on their way out, answering to the enemy's hail 'Boats on secret expedition' or merely 'Contrabands'. . . . I feel convinced that with nerve and proper precaution on the part of your boats' crews, and with the protection of a kind Providence, not one of the enemy's monsters so much boasted of by them, would live to see the next morning's sun." The next day, however, the Union ironclads withdrew outside the bar, foiling the proposed torpedo attack.
Meanwhile, Southerners threatened Union positions on the York River as well, and Yorktown was felt to be in danger. Another appeal for naval support was sent to Lee, who ordered the USS Commodore Morris to aid USS Crusader in that area. Whether in the North Carolina Sounds or the Virginia rivers, the demand for the services of the gunboats of the North Atlantic Squadron was great. As Admiral David Dixon Porter later wrote: ''After all, most of these gun-boats were merely improvised for the occasion, and the Army transports, armed with field pieces, would have answered the same purpose. But the soldiers were not used to managing steamers up the narrow streams or handling guns behind the frail bulwarks of wooden gunboats. Only sailors could do that kind of work, and the Army were only too glad to have them do it."
Secretary of the Navy Gideon E. Welles instructed Rear Admiral Samuel F. DuPont to ''...retain a strong force off Charleston, even should you find it impossible to carry the place." Though the large scale attack four days before had failed, it was believed that the presence of the fleet at Charleston would keep the Confederates "...in apprehension of a renewed attack, in order that they may be occupied and not come North or go West to the aid of the rebels with whom our forces will soon be in conflict..." The Union's ability to strike with vigor at a variety of points under sea power's flexibility continued to keep Confederate strength dispersed.
The Confederate steamer Stonewall Jackson, formerly the British steamer Leopard, while attempting to run into the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, was "...hotly chased by half a dozen blockaders, which fired at her, and she received several shots through her hull. Captain Black finding it impossible to escape, ran the steamer on the beach and burned her. The crew and passengers took to the boats and arrived at Charleston. The steamer was burned to the water's edge in sight of the Yankees. Her cargo consisted of several pieces of field artillery, two hundred barrels of salt-peter, forty thousand army shoes, and a large assortment of merchandise."
A strong Union force under the command of Colonel A. D. Straight, left Nashville, Tennessee., on a raid into Alabama and Georgia.
Yesterday, the Fifty-Ninth Virginia Confederate regiment, Colonel William B. Tabb commanding, was sent to the roar of Fort Magruder, at Williamsburg, Virginia. At the break of day this morning, he made a rapid descent upon the Federal cavalry encampment at Whitaker's Mill, and destroyed the whole garrison, commissary and hospital stores, and an immense amount of ammunition, besides killing a large number of horses. Five of the Yankees were killed, several wounded, nineteen taken prisoners, and some twenty or so of the sick paroled. After this feat Colonel Tabb made good his retreat without the loss of a man ? only one officer and private wounded.
A brief skirmish occurred in the vicinity of the Blackwater, Virginia, between the Union pickets and a party of Confederates, in which the former were forced back with the loss of several of their number taken prisoners.
At Sheffield, England, an engraver was arrested and jailed on charge of forging the Treasury Notes of the United States.
This post was edited on 4/11/13 at 3:11 pm
Posted on 4/12/13 at 3:51 pm to dallasga6
April 12, 1862
Union Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles was admired & respected by President Lincoln, and it was ideas like one he came up with today that kept it that way. Welles announced today an absolute embargo on the export of anthracite coal. Confederate and other blockade-runners were buying exported American anthracite in Caribbean ports. The alternative, bituminous coal, burned with heavy black smoke which could be seen at great distance at sea. Anthracite coal, on the other hand, not only contained much more heat per given volume, but burned very cleanly with just a little white smoke.
Rear Admiral David D. Porter advised Secretary Welles of developments in the proposed move below Vicksburg: "I have been endeavoring since I came here to get the batteries of these vessels changed, and have succeeded at last in getting three 11-inch guns placed in the bow of each one. This makes them much more effective. . . . [Major General Grant] proposes to embark his army at Carthage, seize Grand Gulf under fire of the gunboats, and make it the base of his operations. . . . The squadron will pass the [Vicksburg] batteries and engage them while the transports go by in the smoke, passing down, of course, at night. . . . In this operation I act in obedience to the orders of the Department to cooperate with the army, and shall do my best to make them successful." Though preoccupied with the plans to get below Vicksburg, Porter did not neglect other areas of need on the western waters. He ordered eight gunboats to the mouths of the Arkansas and White Rivers to meet any contingency at that point, and reported, "Every point on the Mississippi is guarded or patrolled where there is likelihood of a guerilla. The river from Cairo to Vicksburg is as quiet as in time of peace." Porter also sent a sizable force into the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. "There are now (or soon will be) 23 vessels in the Tennessee River (including the Marine Brigade), 14 of which carry in all 97 guns, many of them of heavy caliber. The Cumberland River will he reinforced in like manner, as I can spare the light-drafts from below."
Porter also wrote Welles about the shortage of men in his Mississippi Squadron: "I have been filling up deficiencies from the army. General Grant has supplied me with 800 soldiers, who are now very efficient. About 600 contrabands are employed in the place of discharged men, and we man the guns with them, the men sent from the North are light built (mostly boys). We are much in need of more experienced men for petty officers."
The crew of a launch under Acting Master George C. Andrews, CSN, which had left Mobile on 6 April, captured the United States steamboat Fox in the coal yard at Pass l'Outre, Louisiana. Andrews succeeded in running Fox into Mobile through the blockaders' fire on 15 April.
Information having been received by General King, commanding at Yorktown, Virginia, of the presence of a large body of cavalry in Gloucester County, Colonel Arthur H. Grimshaw, Fourth Delaware volunteers, in command of the post at Gloucester Point, was ordered to send out a detachment of infantry for the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy's position, and, if possible, driving him from some mills which he was reported to occupy, about ten miles beyond the Union lines. Lieutenant Colonel Tevis, Fourth Delaware, started out at two P. M., with two hundred and fifty volunteers from his own regiment, and having ascertained the force of the Rebels to be a little less than two hundred cavalry, under the command of Colonel Goodwin, pushed forward to attack them. The enemy fell back, leaving, however, two of their pickets in the hands of the Federals. They were ridden down and capture by Colonel Tevis, Lieutenant Tower and Dr Hopkins, surgeon of the regiment. The detachment returned to camp about nine o'clock P. M., having burned a sawmill and two large gristmills, filled with grain and flour, for the use of the Confederates in Richmond. The prisoners belonged to Fitz-Hugh Lee's regiment, the Fifth Virginia cavalry. They were well armed, and carried printed orders, signed by General J. E. B. Stuart, to seize a number of horses for the use of their regiment, "to replace those killed or disabled during the last campaign."
Lieutenant Colonel Edgar A. Kimball, of Hawkins's Zouaves, Ninth regiment of New York volunteers, was killed by General Michael Corcoran, at a point near Suffolk, Virginia. The account as follows:" ... an excited BGen M. Corcoran who reports, 'It being reported that the enemy was advancing against this place, I immediately repaired to my front and had all the troops placed under arms and ready for action.' At 3 a.m., Corcoran heads to the front to inspect his lines when he is accosted by 'an officer, whose rank I could not recognize.' The officer in question is Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar Kimball, commander of Hawkins' Zouaves, who insists that Corcoran give the countersign before he will be allowed to pass. The confrontation escalates until [the drunken ?] Kimball begins to wave his sword and Corcoran shoots him in the neck and kills him. Corcoran describes the incident, 'He...put himself in a determined attitude to prevent my progress, and brandishing his sword in one hand, and having his other on a pistol, as I then supposed, made a movement toward me with the evident design of using them, making an impolite statement that I should not pass. It was at this point that I used my weapon.' "
Union Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles was admired & respected by President Lincoln, and it was ideas like one he came up with today that kept it that way. Welles announced today an absolute embargo on the export of anthracite coal. Confederate and other blockade-runners were buying exported American anthracite in Caribbean ports. The alternative, bituminous coal, burned with heavy black smoke which could be seen at great distance at sea. Anthracite coal, on the other hand, not only contained much more heat per given volume, but burned very cleanly with just a little white smoke.
Rear Admiral David D. Porter advised Secretary Welles of developments in the proposed move below Vicksburg: "I have been endeavoring since I came here to get the batteries of these vessels changed, and have succeeded at last in getting three 11-inch guns placed in the bow of each one. This makes them much more effective. . . . [Major General Grant] proposes to embark his army at Carthage, seize Grand Gulf under fire of the gunboats, and make it the base of his operations. . . . The squadron will pass the [Vicksburg] batteries and engage them while the transports go by in the smoke, passing down, of course, at night. . . . In this operation I act in obedience to the orders of the Department to cooperate with the army, and shall do my best to make them successful." Though preoccupied with the plans to get below Vicksburg, Porter did not neglect other areas of need on the western waters. He ordered eight gunboats to the mouths of the Arkansas and White Rivers to meet any contingency at that point, and reported, "Every point on the Mississippi is guarded or patrolled where there is likelihood of a guerilla. The river from Cairo to Vicksburg is as quiet as in time of peace." Porter also sent a sizable force into the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. "There are now (or soon will be) 23 vessels in the Tennessee River (including the Marine Brigade), 14 of which carry in all 97 guns, many of them of heavy caliber. The Cumberland River will he reinforced in like manner, as I can spare the light-drafts from below."
Porter also wrote Welles about the shortage of men in his Mississippi Squadron: "I have been filling up deficiencies from the army. General Grant has supplied me with 800 soldiers, who are now very efficient. About 600 contrabands are employed in the place of discharged men, and we man the guns with them, the men sent from the North are light built (mostly boys). We are much in need of more experienced men for petty officers."
The crew of a launch under Acting Master George C. Andrews, CSN, which had left Mobile on 6 April, captured the United States steamboat Fox in the coal yard at Pass l'Outre, Louisiana. Andrews succeeded in running Fox into Mobile through the blockaders' fire on 15 April.
Information having been received by General King, commanding at Yorktown, Virginia, of the presence of a large body of cavalry in Gloucester County, Colonel Arthur H. Grimshaw, Fourth Delaware volunteers, in command of the post at Gloucester Point, was ordered to send out a detachment of infantry for the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy's position, and, if possible, driving him from some mills which he was reported to occupy, about ten miles beyond the Union lines. Lieutenant Colonel Tevis, Fourth Delaware, started out at two P. M., with two hundred and fifty volunteers from his own regiment, and having ascertained the force of the Rebels to be a little less than two hundred cavalry, under the command of Colonel Goodwin, pushed forward to attack them. The enemy fell back, leaving, however, two of their pickets in the hands of the Federals. They were ridden down and capture by Colonel Tevis, Lieutenant Tower and Dr Hopkins, surgeon of the regiment. The detachment returned to camp about nine o'clock P. M., having burned a sawmill and two large gristmills, filled with grain and flour, for the use of the Confederates in Richmond. The prisoners belonged to Fitz-Hugh Lee's regiment, the Fifth Virginia cavalry. They were well armed, and carried printed orders, signed by General J. E. B. Stuart, to seize a number of horses for the use of their regiment, "to replace those killed or disabled during the last campaign."
Lieutenant Colonel Edgar A. Kimball, of Hawkins's Zouaves, Ninth regiment of New York volunteers, was killed by General Michael Corcoran, at a point near Suffolk, Virginia. The account as follows:" ... an excited BGen M. Corcoran who reports, 'It being reported that the enemy was advancing against this place, I immediately repaired to my front and had all the troops placed under arms and ready for action.' At 3 a.m., Corcoran heads to the front to inspect his lines when he is accosted by 'an officer, whose rank I could not recognize.' The officer in question is Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar Kimball, commander of Hawkins' Zouaves, who insists that Corcoran give the countersign before he will be allowed to pass. The confrontation escalates until [the drunken ?] Kimball begins to wave his sword and Corcoran shoots him in the neck and kills him. Corcoran describes the incident, 'He...put himself in a determined attitude to prevent my progress, and brandishing his sword in one hand, and having his other on a pistol, as I then supposed, made a movement toward me with the evident design of using them, making an impolite statement that I should not pass. It was at this point that I used my weapon.' "
Posted on 4/12/13 at 4:51 pm to dallasga6
quote:Hate to break the chain of posts (which I am loving, by the way) but I just got back into town and was reading through these and had a couple of interesting things of note to add to the attack on Charleston.
April 7, 1863
The USS Passaic was commanded by Captain Percival Drayton, a South Carolinia native. His family came to the Charleston area just 6 years after the colony was founded. The Drayton's owned several large plantations along the Ashley River. Drayton Hall is one of the few to survive Sherman's torch, and Magnolia Plantation is home to the world's largest azalea and camellia gardens.
Also, Company C of the SC 1st Artillery was at Fort Moultrie for the April 1861 firing on Fort Sumter and inside Fort Sumter in April 1863 for the ironclad attack. The regimental flag, donated to the city in 1893 and kept out of public view at the Charleston Museum, is 57 inches square and features a palmetto tree, crossed cannon barrels and the words "Moultrie April 12th 1861" and "Sumter, April 7th 1863"
Posted on 4/12/13 at 5:15 pm to PJinAtl
quote:
PJinAtl
Posted on 4/13/13 at 11:29 am to dallasga6
April 13, 1863
General Ambrose E. Burnside had once been commander of the Army of the Potomac. After getting huge numbers of his men slaughtered in multiple, futile charges at Fredericksburg, featuring the first major opposed river crossing in American military history, President Abraham Lincoln decided it has become necessary to find some stairs to kick him up. Seven Union divisions had been sent in that day--generally one brigade at a time, for a total of fourteen individual assaults--all of which failed miserably, costing the Rhode Islander Yankee's army 12,353 casualties out of a force slightly larger than 114,000 men. Confederate losses at Marye's Heights and the battle totaled 5,377 from a much smaller body of around 72,000 troops. The result's of these two fiasco's caused Lincoln to give Burnside a "promotion" to command the Department of the Ohio, a non-combat job. This morning, Burnside announced the death penalty for anyone aiding the Confederacy, as well as the deportation of anyone sympathizing with the South. He apparently found unarmed Rebels somewhat easier to kill. Interestingly enough, in his home state following the American Revolution, Rhode Island merchants controlled between 60% and 90% of the American trade in African slaves.
The USS Annie, commanded by Acting Ensign James S. Williams, captured the schooner Mattie off the Florida Gulf coast.
The Federal transport steamer Escort, with reinforcements, ammunition and supplies for General Foster--who was surrounded at Washington, North Carolina--ran the Confederate batteries on the Pamlico River, and succeeded in reaching her destination.
This morning a large detachment of Union troops, under the command of Colonel Spear, Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry, attacked a body of Confederate troops in the vicinity of Suffolk, Virginia, but after a sharp skirmish the Federals were compelled to quickly retire behind their heavily fortified works. In the afternoon, however, the same party--reinforced by Yankee cavalry--sallied forth, encountered the enemy and finally with darkness falling, drove the Rebels back.
General Ambrose E. Burnside had once been commander of the Army of the Potomac. After getting huge numbers of his men slaughtered in multiple, futile charges at Fredericksburg, featuring the first major opposed river crossing in American military history, President Abraham Lincoln decided it has become necessary to find some stairs to kick him up. Seven Union divisions had been sent in that day--generally one brigade at a time, for a total of fourteen individual assaults--all of which failed miserably, costing the Rhode Islander Yankee's army 12,353 casualties out of a force slightly larger than 114,000 men. Confederate losses at Marye's Heights and the battle totaled 5,377 from a much smaller body of around 72,000 troops. The result's of these two fiasco's caused Lincoln to give Burnside a "promotion" to command the Department of the Ohio, a non-combat job. This morning, Burnside announced the death penalty for anyone aiding the Confederacy, as well as the deportation of anyone sympathizing with the South. He apparently found unarmed Rebels somewhat easier to kill. Interestingly enough, in his home state following the American Revolution, Rhode Island merchants controlled between 60% and 90% of the American trade in African slaves.
The USS Annie, commanded by Acting Ensign James S. Williams, captured the schooner Mattie off the Florida Gulf coast.
The Federal transport steamer Escort, with reinforcements, ammunition and supplies for General Foster--who was surrounded at Washington, North Carolina--ran the Confederate batteries on the Pamlico River, and succeeded in reaching her destination.
This morning a large detachment of Union troops, under the command of Colonel Spear, Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry, attacked a body of Confederate troops in the vicinity of Suffolk, Virginia, but after a sharp skirmish the Federals were compelled to quickly retire behind their heavily fortified works. In the afternoon, however, the same party--reinforced by Yankee cavalry--sallied forth, encountered the enemy and finally with darkness falling, drove the Rebels back.
This post was edited on 4/13/13 at 11:37 am
Posted on 4/14/13 at 2:02 pm to dallasga6
April 14, 1863
There had been a considerable battle begun yesterday in the vicinity of Suffolk, Virginia involving Confederate troops in rifle pits on one side of the river, and Union forces on the other, as well as Union ships offshore. The ships had kept up a steady fire to keep the Rebels from crossing the river. Today the fight resumed on the Nansemond River between the United States gunboats Commodore Barney, Mount Washington, and Stepping Stones and a powerful rebel shore battery; the USS Mount Washington this afternoon became disabled, ran around, and had to be rescued by the USS Stepping Stones. The United States gunboat West End, lying in the Nansemond River, four miles below Suffolk, Virginia, was attacked by a Rebel battery, and considerably damaged. During the engagement, seven of her crew were killed or wounded.
The CSS Alabama, under the command of Captain Raphael Semmes, captured the whalers Kate Cory and Lafayette off the island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Semmes burned the Lafayette this date and Kate Cory two days later.
The USS Monticello, Lieutenant Commander Braine in charge, captured the schooner Odd Fellow near Little River, North Carolina, with a cargo of turpentine and rosin.
The USS William G. Anderson, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Frederic S. Hill, took the schooner Royal Yacht in the Gulf of Mexico with a cargo of cotton.
Yesterday the Confederate works on the Bayou Teche, Louisiana, were attacked by the Federal forces under Generals Banks and Emory, and today, after a desperate conflict of several hours' duration, the works were carried and the Rebels finally driven out.
The Confederate gunboats Diana, Hart, and Queen of the West, were also destroyed. The two former were burned by the Rebels, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Unionists, and the ironclad ram Queen of the West, was attacked by the United States gunboats Estrella, Calhoun, and Arizona, set on fire and destroyed.
General Foster escaped from Washington, North Carolina, in the steamer Escort, which ran the Confederate blockade on the Pamlico River today.
There had been a considerable battle begun yesterday in the vicinity of Suffolk, Virginia involving Confederate troops in rifle pits on one side of the river, and Union forces on the other, as well as Union ships offshore. The ships had kept up a steady fire to keep the Rebels from crossing the river. Today the fight resumed on the Nansemond River between the United States gunboats Commodore Barney, Mount Washington, and Stepping Stones and a powerful rebel shore battery; the USS Mount Washington this afternoon became disabled, ran around, and had to be rescued by the USS Stepping Stones. The United States gunboat West End, lying in the Nansemond River, four miles below Suffolk, Virginia, was attacked by a Rebel battery, and considerably damaged. During the engagement, seven of her crew were killed or wounded.
The CSS Alabama, under the command of Captain Raphael Semmes, captured the whalers Kate Cory and Lafayette off the island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Semmes burned the Lafayette this date and Kate Cory two days later.
The USS Monticello, Lieutenant Commander Braine in charge, captured the schooner Odd Fellow near Little River, North Carolina, with a cargo of turpentine and rosin.
The USS William G. Anderson, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Frederic S. Hill, took the schooner Royal Yacht in the Gulf of Mexico with a cargo of cotton.
Yesterday the Confederate works on the Bayou Teche, Louisiana, were attacked by the Federal forces under Generals Banks and Emory, and today, after a desperate conflict of several hours' duration, the works were carried and the Rebels finally driven out.
The Confederate gunboats Diana, Hart, and Queen of the West, were also destroyed. The two former were burned by the Rebels, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Unionists, and the ironclad ram Queen of the West, was attacked by the United States gunboats Estrella, Calhoun, and Arizona, set on fire and destroyed.
General Foster escaped from Washington, North Carolina, in the steamer Escort, which ran the Confederate blockade on the Pamlico River today.
Posted on 4/15/13 at 5:37 pm to dallasga6
April 15, 1863
For the last fortnight or so there had been a battle in progress at Washington, North Carolina, which was occupied by Federal forces and was being attacked by Confederates. The Southern fighters finally began breaking off the attack and preparing to depart the scene. They had received word that Union gunboats were on the way with relief supplies and, more importantly, reinforcements for the weary defenders. Their ever increasing numbers would make the assault nearly impossible to succeed. The siege was raised. The Rebel force, which for nearly three weeks had invested that place, left suddenly this evening. General Foster, who arrived at Newbern yesterday, was preparing an expedition to march for the relief of the town, when the account of the departure of the Rebels reached him.
The CSS Alabama, Captain Raphael Semmes commanding, captured the whalers Kate Cory and Lafayette off the island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Semmes burned the Lafayette this date and Kate Cory two days later.
The USS Monticello, under Lieutenant Commander Braine, captured schooner Odd Fellow near Little River, North Carolina, with a cargo of turpentine and rosin.
The USS William G. Anderson, Acting Lieutenant Frederic S. Hill in charge, took the schooner Royal Yacht in the Gulf of Mexico with a cargo of cotton.
The town of Franklin, in St. Mary's Parish, Louisiana, was occupied by the Federal forces, under General Nathaniel Banks.
At a point seventy miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah, Colonel Evans with a large party of Union troops, attacked and put to flight two hundreds Indians, thirty of whom were killed. The Union forces followed them fourteen miles, scattering them in every direction. Lieutenant Peck was killed and two sergeants were wounded on the Federal side.
A battalion of cavalry from California arrived at New York from San Francisco, under the command of Major De Witt C. Thompson.
Fighting was continued on the Nansemond River, Virginia, and its vicinity.
A detachment of two hundred of the Thirty-ninth Kentucky mounted infantry, under the command of Colonel J. Dills, made a forced march on Pikeville, Kentucky, and after a sharp fight, captured seventeen Rebel officers and sixty-one privates, with their horses, arms, and equipment. At the same time, eight scouts from the command of General Julius White, belonging to the Fourteenth Kentucky infantry, captured in Breathitt Co., Kentucky, a Confederate captain and twelve privates.
For the last fortnight or so there had been a battle in progress at Washington, North Carolina, which was occupied by Federal forces and was being attacked by Confederates. The Southern fighters finally began breaking off the attack and preparing to depart the scene. They had received word that Union gunboats were on the way with relief supplies and, more importantly, reinforcements for the weary defenders. Their ever increasing numbers would make the assault nearly impossible to succeed. The siege was raised. The Rebel force, which for nearly three weeks had invested that place, left suddenly this evening. General Foster, who arrived at Newbern yesterday, was preparing an expedition to march for the relief of the town, when the account of the departure of the Rebels reached him.
The CSS Alabama, Captain Raphael Semmes commanding, captured the whalers Kate Cory and Lafayette off the island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Semmes burned the Lafayette this date and Kate Cory two days later.
The USS Monticello, under Lieutenant Commander Braine, captured schooner Odd Fellow near Little River, North Carolina, with a cargo of turpentine and rosin.
The USS William G. Anderson, Acting Lieutenant Frederic S. Hill in charge, took the schooner Royal Yacht in the Gulf of Mexico with a cargo of cotton.
The town of Franklin, in St. Mary's Parish, Louisiana, was occupied by the Federal forces, under General Nathaniel Banks.
At a point seventy miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah, Colonel Evans with a large party of Union troops, attacked and put to flight two hundreds Indians, thirty of whom were killed. The Union forces followed them fourteen miles, scattering them in every direction. Lieutenant Peck was killed and two sergeants were wounded on the Federal side.
A battalion of cavalry from California arrived at New York from San Francisco, under the command of Major De Witt C. Thompson.
Fighting was continued on the Nansemond River, Virginia, and its vicinity.
A detachment of two hundred of the Thirty-ninth Kentucky mounted infantry, under the command of Colonel J. Dills, made a forced march on Pikeville, Kentucky, and after a sharp fight, captured seventeen Rebel officers and sixty-one privates, with their horses, arms, and equipment. At the same time, eight scouts from the command of General Julius White, belonging to the Fourteenth Kentucky infantry, captured in Breathitt Co., Kentucky, a Confederate captain and twelve privates.
Posted on 4/16/13 at 1:10 pm to dallasga6
April 16, 1863
The Mississippi River is quite wide as it passes Vicksburg. It is also quite twisty, however, and cannot be run at high speed. Rear Admiral David D. Porter drove his twelve ships as fast as they could go tonight as they ran the passage to help ferry General Hiram U. Grant's army across the river for the coming battle. A defensive system of flares and barrels of burning tar were used to light up the night, and one ship was lost. The remainder tied up at Hard Times on the west bank of the river.
The gunboats under Porter engaged and ran past the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg shepherding Army transports to New Carthage below the Southern citadel. The force included the USS Benton, Lafayette, Louisville, Pittsburg, Mound City, Carondelet, and Tuscumbia; the USS General Sterling Price was lashed to the starboard side of Lafayette for the passage, as was the tug Ivy to the Benton. Each ship, except the Benton, also towed a coal barge containing 10,000 bushels of coal. The Lafayette, Captain Walke commanding, hampered by the ship lashed to her side, received nine ''effective'' shots through her casemate and had her coal barge sunk. The transport Henry Clay was sunk, with no loss of life, during the passage and another, the Forest Queen, was temporarily disabled but was successfully aided by Tuscumbia, piloted by Lieutenant Commander James W. Shirk. Under fire for 2 1/2 hours, beginning shortly after 11 p.m. on the 16th, the squadron suffered what Porter termed only "very light'' loss. He reported that all ships were ready for service within half an hour after the passage. ''Altogether," he remarked, ''we were very fortunate; the vessels had some narrow escapes, but were saved in most instances by the precautions taken to protect them. They were covered with heavy logs and bales of wet hay, which were found to be an excellent defense." A memorandum in the Secretary of the Navy's office recorded: "The passage of the fleet by Vicksburg was a damper to the spirits of all Rebel sympathizers along the Mississippi for everyone was so impressed with the absurdity of our gunboats getting safely past their batteries without being knocked to pieces that they would not admit to themselves that it would be undertaken until they saw the gunboats moving down the river all safe and sound. Vicksburg was despaired of from that moment.'' The successful steaming of the squadron past the heavy batteries contributed to the early seizure of Grand Gulf, the eventual fall of Vicksburg itself, and ultimately the total control of the entire Mississippi.
The USS Hendrick Hudson, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Cate, captured the blockade running British schooner Teresa off the coast of Florida.
The gunboat USS Vanderbilt, under Lieutenant Charles H. Baldwin, seized the British steamer blockade runner Gertrude off Harbor Island in the Bahamas.
A party of Indians attacked a detachment of eighteen soldiers at Medalia, thirty miles from Mankato, Minnesota, killing one and wounding two, besides killing a boy and two men belonging to the settlement.
The Mississippi River is quite wide as it passes Vicksburg. It is also quite twisty, however, and cannot be run at high speed. Rear Admiral David D. Porter drove his twelve ships as fast as they could go tonight as they ran the passage to help ferry General Hiram U. Grant's army across the river for the coming battle. A defensive system of flares and barrels of burning tar were used to light up the night, and one ship was lost. The remainder tied up at Hard Times on the west bank of the river.
The gunboats under Porter engaged and ran past the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg shepherding Army transports to New Carthage below the Southern citadel. The force included the USS Benton, Lafayette, Louisville, Pittsburg, Mound City, Carondelet, and Tuscumbia; the USS General Sterling Price was lashed to the starboard side of Lafayette for the passage, as was the tug Ivy to the Benton. Each ship, except the Benton, also towed a coal barge containing 10,000 bushels of coal. The Lafayette, Captain Walke commanding, hampered by the ship lashed to her side, received nine ''effective'' shots through her casemate and had her coal barge sunk. The transport Henry Clay was sunk, with no loss of life, during the passage and another, the Forest Queen, was temporarily disabled but was successfully aided by Tuscumbia, piloted by Lieutenant Commander James W. Shirk. Under fire for 2 1/2 hours, beginning shortly after 11 p.m. on the 16th, the squadron suffered what Porter termed only "very light'' loss. He reported that all ships were ready for service within half an hour after the passage. ''Altogether," he remarked, ''we were very fortunate; the vessels had some narrow escapes, but were saved in most instances by the precautions taken to protect them. They were covered with heavy logs and bales of wet hay, which were found to be an excellent defense." A memorandum in the Secretary of the Navy's office recorded: "The passage of the fleet by Vicksburg was a damper to the spirits of all Rebel sympathizers along the Mississippi for everyone was so impressed with the absurdity of our gunboats getting safely past their batteries without being knocked to pieces that they would not admit to themselves that it would be undertaken until they saw the gunboats moving down the river all safe and sound. Vicksburg was despaired of from that moment.'' The successful steaming of the squadron past the heavy batteries contributed to the early seizure of Grand Gulf, the eventual fall of Vicksburg itself, and ultimately the total control of the entire Mississippi.
The USS Hendrick Hudson, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Cate, captured the blockade running British schooner Teresa off the coast of Florida.
The gunboat USS Vanderbilt, under Lieutenant Charles H. Baldwin, seized the British steamer blockade runner Gertrude off Harbor Island in the Bahamas.
A party of Indians attacked a detachment of eighteen soldiers at Medalia, thirty miles from Mankato, Minnesota, killing one and wounding two, besides killing a boy and two men belonging to the settlement.
Posted on 4/17/13 at 3:27 pm to dallasga6
April 17, 1863
A Union cavalry force led by Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson set off from La Grange, Tennessee this morning on an extended raid through Louisiana and Mississippi. The 1700-man expedition's main purpose was to support General Hiram U. Grant's final push on Vicksburg by tying up any Confederate forces that might be sent to the city's aid. Conversely, Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke led a Confederate cavalry group into attacks on Union posts in Missouri. Both forces continued operating until May 2.
The USS Wanderer, commanded by Acting Master Eleazer S. Turner, took the schooner Annie B southwest of Egmont Key, Florida, bound for Havana with a cargo of cotton.
The CSS Florida, under Lieutenant John N. Maffitt, captured and destroyed the ship Commonwealth off the coast of Brazil, bound from New York to San Francisco.
Brigadier General Daniel A. Donelson, commanding the Confederate Department of East Tennessee, died near Knoxville. He was the nephew of General Andrew Jackson.
The Confederate schooner Alabama was captured off the coast of Mobile, while endeavoring to evade the blockade, by the Federal steamer Susquehanna.
A large detachment of the 99th and 130th New York regiments had a successful skirmish with a smaller force of Confederates at the South Quay Road, near Suffolk, Virginia. There were several casualties on both sides.
A skirmish took place at Bear Creek, Tennessee, between a party of Federals under the command of General Grenville M. Dodge, and the Rebels of Colonel Philip D. Roddey, resulting, after an artillery barrage, in the retreat of the latter. Captain Cameron of the Ninth Illinois cavalry was killed along with 3 others. There were 19 wounded and 59 counted missing among the Yankees.
A detachment of Federal troops under General Cuvier Grover, encountered a smaller force of Confederates at Bayou Vermilion, Louisiana, led by Major General Richard Taylor and after a few hours battle began opening upon them with artillery, finally drove them from their position after nightfall, but the Confederates had slowed the Union advance.
An affair broke out on the Pamunkey River, near West Point, Virginia, including the Confederate cannonading of two Union vessels, inflicting several casualties; the Federal vessels then retreated down the York River.
A Union cavalry force led by Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson set off from La Grange, Tennessee this morning on an extended raid through Louisiana and Mississippi. The 1700-man expedition's main purpose was to support General Hiram U. Grant's final push on Vicksburg by tying up any Confederate forces that might be sent to the city's aid. Conversely, Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke led a Confederate cavalry group into attacks on Union posts in Missouri. Both forces continued operating until May 2.
The USS Wanderer, commanded by Acting Master Eleazer S. Turner, took the schooner Annie B southwest of Egmont Key, Florida, bound for Havana with a cargo of cotton.
The CSS Florida, under Lieutenant John N. Maffitt, captured and destroyed the ship Commonwealth off the coast of Brazil, bound from New York to San Francisco.
Brigadier General Daniel A. Donelson, commanding the Confederate Department of East Tennessee, died near Knoxville. He was the nephew of General Andrew Jackson.
The Confederate schooner Alabama was captured off the coast of Mobile, while endeavoring to evade the blockade, by the Federal steamer Susquehanna.
A large detachment of the 99th and 130th New York regiments had a successful skirmish with a smaller force of Confederates at the South Quay Road, near Suffolk, Virginia. There were several casualties on both sides.
A skirmish took place at Bear Creek, Tennessee, between a party of Federals under the command of General Grenville M. Dodge, and the Rebels of Colonel Philip D. Roddey, resulting, after an artillery barrage, in the retreat of the latter. Captain Cameron of the Ninth Illinois cavalry was killed along with 3 others. There were 19 wounded and 59 counted missing among the Yankees.
A detachment of Federal troops under General Cuvier Grover, encountered a smaller force of Confederates at Bayou Vermilion, Louisiana, led by Major General Richard Taylor and after a few hours battle began opening upon them with artillery, finally drove them from their position after nightfall, but the Confederates had slowed the Union advance.
An affair broke out on the Pamunkey River, near West Point, Virginia, including the Confederate cannonading of two Union vessels, inflicting several casualties; the Federal vessels then retreated down the York River.
Posted on 4/18/13 at 3:08 pm to dallasga6
April 18, 1863
It was a morning of much sorrow and weeping in the offices of the owners of the blockade runner Alabama. Off the coast of Florida, this vessel had the misfortune to encounter the USS Susquehanna, with Commodore R. B. Hitchcock commanding. Fully loaded with some of the most desirable items for a blockaded country--coffee, dry goods, wine, even nails--she was captured and confiscated. Her owners' sorrow was somewhat balanced by the glee of Hitchcock's men, however,who got to keep the proceeds according to the maritime laws of the day.
A boat expedition to reconnoiter Sabine City near Sabine Pass, Texas, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Reed aboard the USS New London, and Lieutenant Commander McDermott aboard the USS Cayuga, was surprised at the lighthouse and driven off by Confederate troops. On landing near the lighthouse they were fired on by the concealed Rebels, McDermott of the Cayuga being killed, and his crew of five men captured. Captain Reed of the New London was wounded, together with four of his men.
The USS Stettin with Acting Master James R. Beers in command, seized the Confederate side-wheel steamer St. John off Cape Romain Inlet, South Carolina.
The USS Gem of the Sea, piloted by Acting Lieutenant Baxter, captured and destroyed the blockade running British schooner Inez off Indian River Inlet, Florida.
Fayetteville, Arkansas, garrisoned by a large force of Union troops under the command of Colonel Harrison, was this morning attacked by a strong body of Confederates, but after a desperate contest of six hours duration, the assault was called off.
It was a morning of much sorrow and weeping in the offices of the owners of the blockade runner Alabama. Off the coast of Florida, this vessel had the misfortune to encounter the USS Susquehanna, with Commodore R. B. Hitchcock commanding. Fully loaded with some of the most desirable items for a blockaded country--coffee, dry goods, wine, even nails--she was captured and confiscated. Her owners' sorrow was somewhat balanced by the glee of Hitchcock's men, however,who got to keep the proceeds according to the maritime laws of the day.
A boat expedition to reconnoiter Sabine City near Sabine Pass, Texas, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Reed aboard the USS New London, and Lieutenant Commander McDermott aboard the USS Cayuga, was surprised at the lighthouse and driven off by Confederate troops. On landing near the lighthouse they were fired on by the concealed Rebels, McDermott of the Cayuga being killed, and his crew of five men captured. Captain Reed of the New London was wounded, together with four of his men.
The USS Stettin with Acting Master James R. Beers in command, seized the Confederate side-wheel steamer St. John off Cape Romain Inlet, South Carolina.
The USS Gem of the Sea, piloted by Acting Lieutenant Baxter, captured and destroyed the blockade running British schooner Inez off Indian River Inlet, Florida.
Fayetteville, Arkansas, garrisoned by a large force of Union troops under the command of Colonel Harrison, was this morning attacked by a strong body of Confederates, but after a desperate contest of six hours duration, the assault was called off.
Posted on 4/19/13 at 3:36 pm to dallasga6
April 19, 1863
Elias Howe Jr. was discharged today from the 17th Connecticut Volunteers, along with his father. The father, being old (over 40) and suffering a clubfoot, was not quite officially mustered in. Being quite wealthy (he had invented the sewing machine) he was allowed to hang around anyway. Once, when the unit had not been paid in months, he wrote a personal check to cover the entire payroll, then went back in line to pick up his private's pay of $39.
The USS Housatonic, under Captain William Taylor, took the the sloop Neptune, attempting to run the blockade out of Charleston with a cargo of cotton and turpentine.
The USS Powhatan, commanded by Captain Charles S. Steedman, captured the schooner Major F. Willis near Charleston with a cargo of cotton.
Yesterday, three regiments of infantry and one of cavalry under Colonel H. B. Grierson left Memphis, Tennessee, on a reconnoitering expedition, and when near Nonconnah, the cavalry came up on a small detachment of Major Green L. Blythe's Mississippi Cavalry; a fight ensued, resulting in the organized retreat of the Rebels. This morning the cavalry again attacked the Confederates, and succeeded in driving them across the Coldwater River, killing twenty, wounding forty, and capturing a large number. After crossing the river the Southerners received reinforcements, and the Federals were routed and fell back to Hernando. Being reenforced there by infantry and artillery, under Colonel Bryant, the Unionists again moved on the Coldwater, and attacked the Rebels on the opposite side of the river, continuing the contest until sundown, thereby losing five more killed and fifteen extra wounded.
Major General Dix, in a dispatch to the War Department, said: "I deem it due to the forces at Suffolk to notice briefly their gallant conduct during the last six days. On Tuesday General Peck's right was attacked, and the enemy's advance was gallantly met by Colonel Foster's light troops, driving him back to the line of his pickets. Anderson's division was engaged at the same time on the waterfront with our gunboats and batteries, and suffered materially. On Wednesday a Rebel battery of twenty-pounder rifled guns was effectually silenced, and an attack on the Smith Briggs, an armed quartermaster's boat, was repulsed. Repeated attempts have been made on our lines, but have all been foiled. The storming of the enemy's battery near the west branch of the Nansemond by General Getty and the gunboats, under Lieutenant Lamson, of the navy, and the capture of six guns and two hundred prisoners, closes the operations of the six days against the enemy's large force very satisfactorily." The Eighty-ninth New York and the Eighth Connecticut were the storming party.
Elias Howe Jr. was discharged today from the 17th Connecticut Volunteers, along with his father. The father, being old (over 40) and suffering a clubfoot, was not quite officially mustered in. Being quite wealthy (he had invented the sewing machine) he was allowed to hang around anyway. Once, when the unit had not been paid in months, he wrote a personal check to cover the entire payroll, then went back in line to pick up his private's pay of $39.
The USS Housatonic, under Captain William Taylor, took the the sloop Neptune, attempting to run the blockade out of Charleston with a cargo of cotton and turpentine.
The USS Powhatan, commanded by Captain Charles S. Steedman, captured the schooner Major F. Willis near Charleston with a cargo of cotton.
Yesterday, three regiments of infantry and one of cavalry under Colonel H. B. Grierson left Memphis, Tennessee, on a reconnoitering expedition, and when near Nonconnah, the cavalry came up on a small detachment of Major Green L. Blythe's Mississippi Cavalry; a fight ensued, resulting in the organized retreat of the Rebels. This morning the cavalry again attacked the Confederates, and succeeded in driving them across the Coldwater River, killing twenty, wounding forty, and capturing a large number. After crossing the river the Southerners received reinforcements, and the Federals were routed and fell back to Hernando. Being reenforced there by infantry and artillery, under Colonel Bryant, the Unionists again moved on the Coldwater, and attacked the Rebels on the opposite side of the river, continuing the contest until sundown, thereby losing five more killed and fifteen extra wounded.
Major General Dix, in a dispatch to the War Department, said: "I deem it due to the forces at Suffolk to notice briefly their gallant conduct during the last six days. On Tuesday General Peck's right was attacked, and the enemy's advance was gallantly met by Colonel Foster's light troops, driving him back to the line of his pickets. Anderson's division was engaged at the same time on the waterfront with our gunboats and batteries, and suffered materially. On Wednesday a Rebel battery of twenty-pounder rifled guns was effectually silenced, and an attack on the Smith Briggs, an armed quartermaster's boat, was repulsed. Repeated attempts have been made on our lines, but have all been foiled. The storming of the enemy's battery near the west branch of the Nansemond by General Getty and the gunboats, under Lieutenant Lamson, of the navy, and the capture of six guns and two hundred prisoners, closes the operations of the six days against the enemy's large force very satisfactorily." The Eighty-ninth New York and the Eighth Connecticut were the storming party.
Posted on 4/20/13 at 2:32 pm to dallasga6
April 20, 1863
Louisiana was the site of several Federal activities today. In one, a Union Navy squadron moved in on and captured Butte-a-la-Rose, which was the site of a Confederate installation, Fort Burton. One crewman wrote in his diary that "The fight was short, sharp and decisive. It was done after the style of Daddy Farragut." Land forces, not to be left out, occupied the Louisiana towns of Washington and Opelousas. After the Union forces under General Banks occupied Opelousas, Colonel Thomas E. Chickering, of the Forty-first Massachusetts regiment, was appointed Military Governor and Provost Marshal. The Union gunboats participating were the Estrella, Clifton, Arizona, and Calhoun. An officer on board the Clifton gave the following account of the affair: "Just before we came to the fort there is a sharp bend in the river, and when we came round that bend we were only one quarter of a mile from the fort. The sailing order was that the Clifton and the Arizona should go ahead abreast, the Calhoun next, and the Estrella, Captain Cook, the senior officer, brought up the rear. The river being narrower than we expected, we could not sail two abreast, and the Clifton took the lead. We were all at quarters. As we came around the point we went ahead with full steam; as soon as we caught sight of the fort we fired our two bow nine-inch guns. No sooner had we fired than I saw the white smoke rolling out of the enemy's guns. One of the balls came whistling over my head about two feet, and struck the walking-beam, and the way the cast-iron flew about the deck was a caution. It was a thirty-two-pound solid shot; it struck with such force that it split the ball in two, and a part of it glanced off and came down through the hurricane-deck and brought up on the spar-deck, and another shot fell under our bow. As we came up nearer the fort, they fired over us. By this time we caught sight of the rebel gunboats, lying on the opposite side of the river, making a cross fire on us. The first shell that they fired burst on the port bow, and killed Richard Ribey, second captain of the broadside gun. He was in the act of firing the gun when he was shot. By this time the enemy was running pell-mell out of the fort, and had hauled down their flag and were waving a white one. The rebel gunboats escaped up the river after firing a few shots."
A joint Army-Navy attack succeeded in capturing a strong Confederate position at Hill's Point on the Nansemond River, Virginia, taking 5 howitzers and some 160 prisoners, as well as denying the South the use of an effective position from which to shell the flotilla guarding the Union Army position near Suffolk. Brigadier General George W. Getty wrote Rear Admiral S. P. Lee: "I beg to express my most sincere thanks to Captain Lamson, USN, his officers and crews for the gallantry, energy and ability displayed by them in the operations . . . resulting in the capture of one of the enemy's batteries on the west side of the Nansemond, and a number of prisoners." Later that night, 20 April, the Confederates evacuated their battery at Reed's Ferry, and Lieutenant Cushing reported: ''All is now clear at this point [the western branch of the Nansemond], and if the army fortify, we can hold the position against any force, the gunboats protecting both flanks.'' Though there were intermittent skirmishes for almost 2 weeks following this action, the back of the planned Confederate offensive was broken. As Cushing wrote on 21 April: "I think that active work is nearly over in this quarter." Both Cushing and Lamson were cited by Secretary Welles for their gallantry and meritorious services.
The USS General Sterling Price, Commander Selim E. Woodworth, and USS Tuscumbia, Lieutenant Commander Shirk, reconnoitered down the Mississippi River from New Carthage to the Confederate stronghold at Grand Gulf in preparation for the Union assault. Rear Admiral Porter reported to Major General Grant: "The rebels are at work fortifying. Three guns mounted on a bluff 100 feet high, pointing upriver. Two deep excavations are made in the side of the hill (fresh earth); it can not be seen whether guns are mounted on them or not." Porter urged Grant to move as quickly as possible: "My opinion is that they will move heaven and earth to stop us if we don't go ahead. I could go down and settle the batteries, but if disabled would not be in condition to cover the landing when it takes place, and I think it should be done together. If the troops just leave all their tents behind and take only provisions, we can be in Grand Gulf in four days. I don't want to make a failure, and am sure that a combined attack will succeed beautifully."
The USS Estrella, Lieutenant Commander Cooke, with USS Clifton, Arina, and Calhoun, engaged and received the surrender of Fort Burton, Butte a' la Rose, Louisiana. Third Assistant Engineer George W. Baird noted in his diary: "The fight was short, sharp and decisive. It was done after the style of Daddy Farragut: we rush in. . . . We rushed right up to it and the four black vessels all firing made a savage appearance."
Porter reported the results of an examination of the hulk of USS Indianola, captured by the Confederates and subsequently sunk below Vicksburg: "Her hull and machinery seem to be uninjured; the woodwork on deck has all been burned. The casemate for the 11-inch guns has been blown to pieces; the iron plates lying around the deck I have had it taken to strengthen the gunboats now here. The 11-inch gun carriages are still in the wreck, much shattered. The 9-inch gun carriages were burned when the rebels heard a gunboat (the imitation monitor) was coming down. One 11-inch and one 9-inch gun were removed and a few shells." Recommending that an attempt be made to raise Indianola, Porter added: "It would be a great comfort to have the Indianola afloat once more and still on the Navy list."
An engagement took place at Patterson, Missouri. Colonel Smart, commanding the Federal forces, sent the following report of the affair to Brigadier-General Davidson: The line was cut off as soon as the engagement began, which was six miles from our post. I had a scout out on Black River, who found the enemy early in the morning, but they succeeded in cutting them off, so that they could not communicate with me. The number of the enemy was between one thousand five hundred and three thousand. I think they had six pieces of artillery. I could not ascertain who commanded the enemy. The attack began about twelve o'clock, on the Reeve's Station road, with a scout I had sent out in that direction. I then sent Major Wood on to reinforce with a battalion. He held them in check and skirmished them into town. This gave me time to load my trains and have them ready to move, if I had to retreat. Before I left the town I destroyed what stores [66] I could not bring away; nothing fell into the hands of the enemy. The fight continued to Big Creek, about eight miles this side of Patterson. The engagement was severe in the extreme. After fighting hand to hand at Big Creek they got in my front and attempted to cut off my retreat, but I forced my way to the ford on this side of the creek. The enemy did not renew the engagement. My loss in killed, wounded, and missing in the action was about fifty. I had scouts on the Bear River, Greenwood Valley, and Bush Creek roads, also on the Reeve's Station road, which I have not heard from. I will send you an official report as soon as I can learn all the details. Major McConnell was wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy. I think his wound was mortal. My regiment fell back in good order, and are now together, except the scout above mentioned. I had about four hundred men in the engagement.
Louisiana was the site of several Federal activities today. In one, a Union Navy squadron moved in on and captured Butte-a-la-Rose, which was the site of a Confederate installation, Fort Burton. One crewman wrote in his diary that "The fight was short, sharp and decisive. It was done after the style of Daddy Farragut." Land forces, not to be left out, occupied the Louisiana towns of Washington and Opelousas. After the Union forces under General Banks occupied Opelousas, Colonel Thomas E. Chickering, of the Forty-first Massachusetts regiment, was appointed Military Governor and Provost Marshal. The Union gunboats participating were the Estrella, Clifton, Arizona, and Calhoun. An officer on board the Clifton gave the following account of the affair: "Just before we came to the fort there is a sharp bend in the river, and when we came round that bend we were only one quarter of a mile from the fort. The sailing order was that the Clifton and the Arizona should go ahead abreast, the Calhoun next, and the Estrella, Captain Cook, the senior officer, brought up the rear. The river being narrower than we expected, we could not sail two abreast, and the Clifton took the lead. We were all at quarters. As we came around the point we went ahead with full steam; as soon as we caught sight of the fort we fired our two bow nine-inch guns. No sooner had we fired than I saw the white smoke rolling out of the enemy's guns. One of the balls came whistling over my head about two feet, and struck the walking-beam, and the way the cast-iron flew about the deck was a caution. It was a thirty-two-pound solid shot; it struck with such force that it split the ball in two, and a part of it glanced off and came down through the hurricane-deck and brought up on the spar-deck, and another shot fell under our bow. As we came up nearer the fort, they fired over us. By this time we caught sight of the rebel gunboats, lying on the opposite side of the river, making a cross fire on us. The first shell that they fired burst on the port bow, and killed Richard Ribey, second captain of the broadside gun. He was in the act of firing the gun when he was shot. By this time the enemy was running pell-mell out of the fort, and had hauled down their flag and were waving a white one. The rebel gunboats escaped up the river after firing a few shots."
A joint Army-Navy attack succeeded in capturing a strong Confederate position at Hill's Point on the Nansemond River, Virginia, taking 5 howitzers and some 160 prisoners, as well as denying the South the use of an effective position from which to shell the flotilla guarding the Union Army position near Suffolk. Brigadier General George W. Getty wrote Rear Admiral S. P. Lee: "I beg to express my most sincere thanks to Captain Lamson, USN, his officers and crews for the gallantry, energy and ability displayed by them in the operations . . . resulting in the capture of one of the enemy's batteries on the west side of the Nansemond, and a number of prisoners." Later that night, 20 April, the Confederates evacuated their battery at Reed's Ferry, and Lieutenant Cushing reported: ''All is now clear at this point [the western branch of the Nansemond], and if the army fortify, we can hold the position against any force, the gunboats protecting both flanks.'' Though there were intermittent skirmishes for almost 2 weeks following this action, the back of the planned Confederate offensive was broken. As Cushing wrote on 21 April: "I think that active work is nearly over in this quarter." Both Cushing and Lamson were cited by Secretary Welles for their gallantry and meritorious services.
The USS General Sterling Price, Commander Selim E. Woodworth, and USS Tuscumbia, Lieutenant Commander Shirk, reconnoitered down the Mississippi River from New Carthage to the Confederate stronghold at Grand Gulf in preparation for the Union assault. Rear Admiral Porter reported to Major General Grant: "The rebels are at work fortifying. Three guns mounted on a bluff 100 feet high, pointing upriver. Two deep excavations are made in the side of the hill (fresh earth); it can not be seen whether guns are mounted on them or not." Porter urged Grant to move as quickly as possible: "My opinion is that they will move heaven and earth to stop us if we don't go ahead. I could go down and settle the batteries, but if disabled would not be in condition to cover the landing when it takes place, and I think it should be done together. If the troops just leave all their tents behind and take only provisions, we can be in Grand Gulf in four days. I don't want to make a failure, and am sure that a combined attack will succeed beautifully."
The USS Estrella, Lieutenant Commander Cooke, with USS Clifton, Arina, and Calhoun, engaged and received the surrender of Fort Burton, Butte a' la Rose, Louisiana. Third Assistant Engineer George W. Baird noted in his diary: "The fight was short, sharp and decisive. It was done after the style of Daddy Farragut: we rush in. . . . We rushed right up to it and the four black vessels all firing made a savage appearance."
Porter reported the results of an examination of the hulk of USS Indianola, captured by the Confederates and subsequently sunk below Vicksburg: "Her hull and machinery seem to be uninjured; the woodwork on deck has all been burned. The casemate for the 11-inch guns has been blown to pieces; the iron plates lying around the deck I have had it taken to strengthen the gunboats now here. The 11-inch gun carriages are still in the wreck, much shattered. The 9-inch gun carriages were burned when the rebels heard a gunboat (the imitation monitor) was coming down. One 11-inch and one 9-inch gun were removed and a few shells." Recommending that an attempt be made to raise Indianola, Porter added: "It would be a great comfort to have the Indianola afloat once more and still on the Navy list."
An engagement took place at Patterson, Missouri. Colonel Smart, commanding the Federal forces, sent the following report of the affair to Brigadier-General Davidson: The line was cut off as soon as the engagement began, which was six miles from our post. I had a scout out on Black River, who found the enemy early in the morning, but they succeeded in cutting them off, so that they could not communicate with me. The number of the enemy was between one thousand five hundred and three thousand. I think they had six pieces of artillery. I could not ascertain who commanded the enemy. The attack began about twelve o'clock, on the Reeve's Station road, with a scout I had sent out in that direction. I then sent Major Wood on to reinforce with a battalion. He held them in check and skirmished them into town. This gave me time to load my trains and have them ready to move, if I had to retreat. Before I left the town I destroyed what stores [66] I could not bring away; nothing fell into the hands of the enemy. The fight continued to Big Creek, about eight miles this side of Patterson. The engagement was severe in the extreme. After fighting hand to hand at Big Creek they got in my front and attempted to cut off my retreat, but I forced my way to the ford on this side of the creek. The enemy did not renew the engagement. My loss in killed, wounded, and missing in the action was about fifty. I had scouts on the Bear River, Greenwood Valley, and Bush Creek roads, also on the Reeve's Station road, which I have not heard from. I will send you an official report as soon as I can learn all the details. Major McConnell was wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy. I think his wound was mortal. My regiment fell back in good order, and are now together, except the scout above mentioned. I had about four hundred men in the engagement.
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