The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Union Navy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Union Navy. Show all posts
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Dr. Ezra Read Union Army (Brother of Abner Read, USN)
I have been writing a lot about Abner Read, a Union Navy officer killed in action in 1863 in my Running the Blockade: Civil War Navy blog. I got with him while doing my Tattooed On Your Soul: World War II blog. A destroyer named after him had its stern blown off by a Japanese mine while operating in the Aleutian Islands. It did not sink, was repaired, but later sank after being hit by a kamikaze plane.
From Find-A-Grave.
Click on my Running the Blockade: Civil War Navy blog on My Blog List section to find out more about Abner Read. I wrote about him last month and this month.
Abner Read had one brother in the Union Army and three half brothers who also served the United States.
Dr. Ezra Read was his older brother.born 2 August 1810 in Marietta, Ohio. Died 10 May 1877 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in that city.
He Led Quite An Interesting Life. --Old Secesh
Thursday, August 17, 2017
My 20 Most Significant Events Affecting the Civil War-- Part 4: Union Navy
16. Technology: Mines. telegraph, repeating rifles, railroads. Even though they had machine guns and submarines, those did not have that big of an impact.
17. Lack of cooperation from Confederate states and their governors to the central government. It was a states rights thing, you know.
18. The Union's population and economy.
19. The Union Navy's ability to strike whenever and wherever along Confederate coasts and deep into the interior via rivers.
20. Confederate commerce raiders impact on the North's commerce. At one point practically swept Northern commerce from the oceans. Huge increase in insurance rates and reflagging ships to foreign countries.
OK. one more. 21. The huge growth of the Union Navy.
This Sure Gets You To Thinking. --Old Secesh
17. Lack of cooperation from Confederate states and their governors to the central government. It was a states rights thing, you know.
18. The Union's population and economy.
19. The Union Navy's ability to strike whenever and wherever along Confederate coasts and deep into the interior via rivers.
20. Confederate commerce raiders impact on the North's commerce. At one point practically swept Northern commerce from the oceans. Huge increase in insurance rates and reflagging ships to foreign countries.
OK. one more. 21. The huge growth of the Union Navy.
This Sure Gets You To Thinking. --Old Secesh
Monday, April 11, 2016
MCCWRT Meets Tomorrow Night: Topic "Mr. Lincoln's Navy"
The April 12, 2016, meeting of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table will take place at 7 p.m. at the Woodstock, Illinois, Public Library at 414 W. Judd Street.
Fred Reczkowicz will give a talk on "Mr. Lincoln's Navy/"
That would be the Union Navy and I am a big buff of anything Civil War Navy, the Good and the Bad sides, you know.
--Old SeceshNavy
Saturday, October 29, 2011
The USS Monitor
From the Oct. 27th Choctaw Plaindealer "The Civil War--New Naval Era for North and South" by C.J. Johnson.
On Oct. 25, 1861, the keel of the Monitor was laid in Greenpoint, New York, after the US government heard rumors that the Confederacy was rushing to complete an ironclad of their own. The Ironclad Board, appointed by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles gave their approval to start for Swedish-born John Ericsson to begin work in September.
The 987 ton Monitor's wooden keel was laid at the Continental Ironworks. Carpenters worked around the clock on the wooden inner structure while iron plating was being made.
The 172-foot long, 41-foot wide ship was remarkable in that its deck was only 18 inches above the water, and, of course, its twenty foot cylindrical revolving turret mounting two 11-inch Dahlgren guns. Furthermore, the ship was powered only by steam as there was no rigging. drawing 11 feet, the ship could operate in shallow waters as well.
The ship was completed very quickly, but still missed its original Jan. 12, 1862, launch date, not hitting the water until Jan. 30.
After some engine problems were solved, the Monitor was commissioned February 24th and just two weeks later, fought that Confederate ironclad, the CSS Virginia on March 6th.
This Turned Naval Architecture On Its Ear. --Old B-Runner
On Oct. 25, 1861, the keel of the Monitor was laid in Greenpoint, New York, after the US government heard rumors that the Confederacy was rushing to complete an ironclad of their own. The Ironclad Board, appointed by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles gave their approval to start for Swedish-born John Ericsson to begin work in September.
The 987 ton Monitor's wooden keel was laid at the Continental Ironworks. Carpenters worked around the clock on the wooden inner structure while iron plating was being made.
The 172-foot long, 41-foot wide ship was remarkable in that its deck was only 18 inches above the water, and, of course, its twenty foot cylindrical revolving turret mounting two 11-inch Dahlgren guns. Furthermore, the ship was powered only by steam as there was no rigging. drawing 11 feet, the ship could operate in shallow waters as well.
The ship was completed very quickly, but still missed its original Jan. 12, 1862, launch date, not hitting the water until Jan. 30.
After some engine problems were solved, the Monitor was commissioned February 24th and just two weeks later, fought that Confederate ironclad, the CSS Virginia on March 6th.
This Turned Naval Architecture On Its Ear. --Old B-Runner
Monday, October 24, 2011
Some More Naval Activity 150 Years Ago
From the Civil War Naval Chronology.
OCTOBER 22nd-- Report that Confederate batteries commanded the Potomac River below Alexandria. Washington, DC, essentially blockaded, by water, anyway.
OCTOBER 23rd-- The crew of the Confederate privateer Savannah go on trial for "piracy" in New York City. This caused quite a diplomatic situation.
OCTOBER 25th-- John Ericcson began work on his Monitor. Less than five months later, it fought the CSS Virginia. Quite a remarkably fast construction time.
Flag Officer DuPont stresses the importance of training by the Navy for amphibious landings. Says he had landed a brigade of troops in a training exercise.
OCTOBER 26th-- The CSS Nashville escapes the blockade of Charleston, SC. Union intelligence incorrectly had Slidell and Mason on board the ship.
OCTOBER 27-28th-- Boat crews from the USS Louisiana burned three Confederate vessels at Chincoteagwa Inlet, Virginia. The Louisiana later became the powder ship exploded at Fort Fisher Christmas Eve 1864.
And, It Was an Amphibious Assault That Finally Did Fort Fisher In in 1865. --Old B-R'er
OCTOBER 22nd-- Report that Confederate batteries commanded the Potomac River below Alexandria. Washington, DC, essentially blockaded, by water, anyway.
OCTOBER 23rd-- The crew of the Confederate privateer Savannah go on trial for "piracy" in New York City. This caused quite a diplomatic situation.
OCTOBER 25th-- John Ericcson began work on his Monitor. Less than five months later, it fought the CSS Virginia. Quite a remarkably fast construction time.
Flag Officer DuPont stresses the importance of training by the Navy for amphibious landings. Says he had landed a brigade of troops in a training exercise.
OCTOBER 26th-- The CSS Nashville escapes the blockade of Charleston, SC. Union intelligence incorrectly had Slidell and Mason on board the ship.
OCTOBER 27-28th-- Boat crews from the USS Louisiana burned three Confederate vessels at Chincoteagwa Inlet, Virginia. The Louisiana later became the powder ship exploded at Fort Fisher Christmas Eve 1864.
And, It Was an Amphibious Assault That Finally Did Fort Fisher In in 1865. --Old B-R'er
Friday, September 2, 2011
Yet Another Interesting Talk I'll Miss
This one will be September 6th and 7th in Cincinnati, hear that Denny?
This one will be offered on two straight days.
It will be held at the Cincinnati Museum Center at the Union Center, which is a destination in itself, an amazing art deco train station on beautiful grounds.
Frank Moulds will present a talk on the role of the US Navy in Cincinnati during the war.
I know the city was the location where several Union ships were built, but not much beyond that.
Drat, I'll Miss That Too. --Old B-R'er
This one will be offered on two straight days.
It will be held at the Cincinnati Museum Center at the Union Center, which is a destination in itself, an amazing art deco train station on beautiful grounds.
Frank Moulds will present a talk on the role of the US Navy in Cincinnati during the war.
I know the city was the location where several Union ships were built, but not much beyond that.
Drat, I'll Miss That Too. --Old B-R'er
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Civil War Naval and Homefront Songs-- Part 2
You can go to the Smithsonian site and listen to the songs.
I am not sure how many of these songs would be Homefront ones and hope homefront only in that people besides sailors would sing them. Most folks are very familiar with the songs sung in the armies, but this opens a whole new venue of Civil War music.
Judging by the names of the songs, I would say there is quite the Irish influence. The only song on the list that I recognize is #10, "All for Me Grog" which I used to play a lot when I deejayed around St. Patrick's Day and is a grand drinking song.
Congratulations to the Smithsonian. --Old B-Runner
I am not sure how many of these songs would be Homefront ones and hope homefront only in that people besides sailors would sing them. Most folks are very familiar with the songs sung in the armies, but this opens a whole new venue of Civil War music.
Judging by the names of the songs, I would say there is quite the Irish influence. The only song on the list that I recognize is #10, "All for Me Grog" which I used to play a lot when I deejayed around St. Patrick's Day and is a grand drinking song.
Congratulations to the Smithsonian. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Civil War Navy Word Scramble
The Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial site at http://civilwarnavy150.blogspot.com site is the place to be for Navy Nuts like me.
They currently have a contest going on where they ask three questions each segment and leave it up to readers to answer. I managed to tie for first (8 of 10 points) in the first round, but forgot to send in my answers for the second quiz.
One part was a word scramble. I managed to get the first one on my own, but had my wife get the other four. She likes word scrambles. I don't. She could unscramble. Once she did get some of the word, she would tell me what she had and I was able to complete the word with my naval knowledge.
Give it a try yourself: (Answers below) All words have to do with the Civil War Navy.
A. table choked ___ ___________.
B. a canon and alp ________ ______
C. an ivy noun ______ ______
D. a fools prow _________ _______ _______
E. a blender uncork __________ ________
A. The Blockade
B. Anaconda Plan
C. Union Navy
D. Sloop of War
E. Blockade Runner
Thanks, Liz. --Old B-R'er
They currently have a contest going on where they ask three questions each segment and leave it up to readers to answer. I managed to tie for first (8 of 10 points) in the first round, but forgot to send in my answers for the second quiz.
One part was a word scramble. I managed to get the first one on my own, but had my wife get the other four. She likes word scrambles. I don't. She could unscramble. Once she did get some of the word, she would tell me what she had and I was able to complete the word with my naval knowledge.
Give it a try yourself: (Answers below) All words have to do with the Civil War Navy.
A. table choked ___ ___________.
B. a canon and alp ________ ______
C. an ivy noun ______ ______
D. a fools prow _________ _______ _______
E. a blender uncork __________ ________
A. The Blockade
B. Anaconda Plan
C. Union Navy
D. Sloop of War
E. Blockade Runner
Thanks, Liz. --Old B-R'er
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Civil War at Sea-- Part 2
The North quickly began construction of its own ironclad, the USS Monitor, probably one of the most technologically innovative vessels ever built. And, it was built in just 101days and arrived at Hampton Roads just in time to save the wooden Union ships from destruction by the CSS Virginia.
The day before, March 8, 1862, the Virginia had attacked five Union ships and put there out of action. On the 9th, it returned to finish the job, but was met by the Monitor in what became the first-ever battle of ironclad ships. Neither ship won, but the Virginia withdrew and never attacked again.
BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS
The April 1862 capture of the largest city in the Confederacy, New Orleans, hurt the Confederacy by denying full access to the Mississippi River. New Orleans is located 100 miles from the river's mouth and was guarded b two forts.
Union ships under the command of David Farragut passed the forts, engaged and destroyed the Confederate fleet and captured the Crescent City.
MOBILE BAY
In August 1864, now Admiral Farragut again sailed past two protecting forts and closed the port of Mobile to Confederate use, although it wasn't captured until near the end of the war.
SUBMARINES
The Union had the Alligator, designed by French inventor Brutus De Villeroi. It was built in 1862 and had two failed missions before being lost at sea off Cape Hatteras while being towed.
The Confederacy had small steam-powered submarines called Davids. In 1863, one disabled a Union ship. In 1864, the Hunley, a human-powered submarine sank a US ship off Charleston, SC.
Don't Forget the Navy. --Old B-R'er
The day before, March 8, 1862, the Virginia had attacked five Union ships and put there out of action. On the 9th, it returned to finish the job, but was met by the Monitor in what became the first-ever battle of ironclad ships. Neither ship won, but the Virginia withdrew and never attacked again.
BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS
The April 1862 capture of the largest city in the Confederacy, New Orleans, hurt the Confederacy by denying full access to the Mississippi River. New Orleans is located 100 miles from the river's mouth and was guarded b two forts.
Union ships under the command of David Farragut passed the forts, engaged and destroyed the Confederate fleet and captured the Crescent City.
MOBILE BAY
In August 1864, now Admiral Farragut again sailed past two protecting forts and closed the port of Mobile to Confederate use, although it wasn't captured until near the end of the war.
SUBMARINES
The Union had the Alligator, designed by French inventor Brutus De Villeroi. It was built in 1862 and had two failed missions before being lost at sea off Cape Hatteras while being towed.
The Confederacy had small steam-powered submarines called Davids. In 1863, one disabled a Union ship. In 1864, the Hunley, a human-powered submarine sank a US ship off Charleston, SC.
Don't Forget the Navy. --Old B-R'er
Civil War at Sea-- Part 1
From the April 18th Springfield (Mo.) News Leader "Civil War not confined to land" by Cliff Sain. Part of the News in Education series.
The Civil War is best-known for its land battles. As a matter of fact, most people know little if anything about the sea aspect other than perhaps the blockade or the Monitor versus the Merrimack.
But, there was quite a bit of history at sea.
The Naval portion of the war started a week after Fort Sumter was fired upon, when, on April 19, 1861, President Lincoln declared a blockade of the entire Confederacy, even though his Navy was in no way up to the task. To blockade 3,500 miles of coastline, the US had just 90, mostly outdated ships. Most of those were overseas or awaiting repairs. Actually, there were just three ships able to take up positions off Southern ports.
The Confederacy relied on blockade-runners to bring in much needed supplies. It's Navy started from absolutely nothing with few shipbuilding facilities. However, it did have the services of an innovative and tireless Secretary of the Navy, Stephen Mallory.
IRONCLADS
One of Mallory's innovations was the use of ironclads to break the blockade. Knowing that the South could not keep up with the North in warships, Mallory ordered one of the newest Naval technologies, the ironclad ship, to be used. The South had recovered the burned hulk of one of the North's most powerful warships, the USS Merrimack, when they captured Gosport Naval Yard in Virginia.
The Confederacy quickly set about rebuilding the ship as the CSS Virginia.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
The Civil War is best-known for its land battles. As a matter of fact, most people know little if anything about the sea aspect other than perhaps the blockade or the Monitor versus the Merrimack.
But, there was quite a bit of history at sea.
The Naval portion of the war started a week after Fort Sumter was fired upon, when, on April 19, 1861, President Lincoln declared a blockade of the entire Confederacy, even though his Navy was in no way up to the task. To blockade 3,500 miles of coastline, the US had just 90, mostly outdated ships. Most of those were overseas or awaiting repairs. Actually, there were just three ships able to take up positions off Southern ports.
The Confederacy relied on blockade-runners to bring in much needed supplies. It's Navy started from absolutely nothing with few shipbuilding facilities. However, it did have the services of an innovative and tireless Secretary of the Navy, Stephen Mallory.
IRONCLADS
One of Mallory's innovations was the use of ironclads to break the blockade. Knowing that the South could not keep up with the North in warships, Mallory ordered one of the newest Naval technologies, the ironclad ship, to be used. The South had recovered the burned hulk of one of the North's most powerful warships, the USS Merrimack, when they captured Gosport Naval Yard in Virginia.
The Confederacy quickly set about rebuilding the ship as the CSS Virginia.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Friday, March 11, 2011
Add This to Your Civil War Naval Collection
I came across the Union Drummer Boy site on the internet. They specialize in authentic Civil War artifacts that they guarantee to be authentic, but they definitely aren't cheap.
One of their offerings was a picture of seven Union naval heroes and judging from the yellowing, very old. It featured seven officers, six surrounding Farragut who was in the center.
The others were Foote, Porter, Worden, Dahlgren, DuPont and Stringham.
The Union Drummer Boy wanted $85 for it.
I'm Not Buying It. Hey, Wrong Side (But I Wouldn't Pay That Much Even If It Was a Confederate Group. --Old B-R'er
One of their offerings was a picture of seven Union naval heroes and judging from the yellowing, very old. It featured seven officers, six surrounding Farragut who was in the center.
The others were Foote, Porter, Worden, Dahlgren, DuPont and Stringham.
The Union Drummer Boy wanted $85 for it.
I'm Not Buying It. Hey, Wrong Side (But I Wouldn't Pay That Much Even If It Was a Confederate Group. --Old B-R'er
Admiral David Dixon Porter Wins!
The last several months, the Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial Blog has been running a Who Was the Greatest Naval Officer During the Civil War contest with weekly voting.
Both Union and Confederate officers were included and this was done in a playoff style.
In order to win, Porter had to defeat the following officers in direct competition:
John Worden
David G. Farragut (a big surprise here)
William Goldsborough
John Dahlgren
William Cushing (in the Union championship_
And finally Confederate Raphael Semmes for the championship.
Hey, he was at Fort Fisher which always gets my vote, but I have to admit I vote for his last two opponents.
Congratulations David D.!! --Old B-Runner
Both Union and Confederate officers were included and this was done in a playoff style.
In order to win, Porter had to defeat the following officers in direct competition:
John Worden
David G. Farragut (a big surprise here)
William Goldsborough
John Dahlgren
William Cushing (in the Union championship_
And finally Confederate Raphael Semmes for the championship.
Hey, he was at Fort Fisher which always gets my vote, but I have to admit I vote for his last two opponents.
Congratulations David D.!! --Old B-Runner
Monday, March 15, 2010
Serving in Mr. Lincoln's Navy-- Part 3
I took a quick look at Amazon and saw that Mr. Ringle's book can be bought new for $24.50 with free shipping. Used copies start at $13.95.
Other information:
** First hospital ship, the Red Rover
** 20% of Navy made up of blacks
** 35% of Admiral Farragut's USS Hartford crew were foreign born
** Port Royal, SC, considered to be best spot for liberty
** Larger ships even had libraries
Everything You'd Want to Know About the Navy...and More. --Old B-Runner
Other information:
** First hospital ship, the Red Rover
** 20% of Navy made up of blacks
** 35% of Admiral Farragut's USS Hartford crew were foreign born
** Port Royal, SC, considered to be best spot for liberty
** Larger ships even had libraries
Everything You'd Want to Know About the Navy...and More. --Old B-Runner
Serving in Mr. Lincoln's Navy-- Part 2
Some quotes from the men who served.
A crewman aboard the USS Hartford at the Battle of New Orleans:
"The noise and roar at the time was terrible and cannot be described, but to help the imagination there were two hundred guns and mortars of the largest caliber in full blast; double this by the explosion of shells then add to this the hissing and crashing through the air, and shipping, confine this in a half mile square, it may give some idea of the noise and uproar that has taken place."
A surgeon aboard the USS Cumberland in its battle with the CSS Virginia:
"The sanded deck is red and slippery with the blood and wounded and dying; they are dragged amidships. There is no time to take them below. delirium seizes the crew; they strip to their trousers; tie handkerchiefs around their heads, kick off their shoes, fight and yell like demons; load and fire at will."
Definitely not places for the faint of heart.
Looks Like I'll Have to Check This Book Out. --B-Runner
A crewman aboard the USS Hartford at the Battle of New Orleans:
"The noise and roar at the time was terrible and cannot be described, but to help the imagination there were two hundred guns and mortars of the largest caliber in full blast; double this by the explosion of shells then add to this the hissing and crashing through the air, and shipping, confine this in a half mile square, it may give some idea of the noise and uproar that has taken place."
A surgeon aboard the USS Cumberland in its battle with the CSS Virginia:
"The sanded deck is red and slippery with the blood and wounded and dying; they are dragged amidships. There is no time to take them below. delirium seizes the crew; they strip to their trousers; tie handkerchiefs around their heads, kick off their shoes, fight and yell like demons; load and fire at will."
Definitely not places for the faint of heart.
Looks Like I'll Have to Check This Book Out. --B-Runner
Serving in Mr. Lincoln's Navy-- Part 1
From the book "Life in Mr. Lincoln's Navy" by Dennis J. Ringle, reviewed by Bill Doughty. With a title like this, obviously the main emphasis is going to be on the life of the regular sailors.
Some interesting facts from the review:
** Minimum age was 12 and this rating would be "Boy"
** 1864 monthly wage: Boy $10, Ordinary Seaman $16, Coal Heaver $20, Coxswain $25, Quartermaster/Gunner's Mate $25, and Yeoman $35.
** Sailors had to deal with roaches, rats, lice, fog, flies and mosquitoes
** Weapons: battle axes, pikes, cutlasses, Ames 1843 smoothbore pistol
More to Come. --B-R'er
Some interesting facts from the review:
** Minimum age was 12 and this rating would be "Boy"
** 1864 monthly wage: Boy $10, Ordinary Seaman $16, Coal Heaver $20, Coxswain $25, Quartermaster/Gunner's Mate $25, and Yeoman $35.
** Sailors had to deal with roaches, rats, lice, fog, flies and mosquitoes
** Weapons: battle axes, pikes, cutlasses, Ames 1843 smoothbore pistol
More to Come. --B-R'er
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
One Prolific Author Turns to Civil War Navy
The Jan. 12th Greenville (Tn) Sun reports that Myron J. "Jack" Smith, director of Tusculum College's Thomas J. Garland Library has now written EIGHTY books since 1972 (I must have graded several million quizzes and tests, reports, and homework in that time). An impressive number and especially on his last three books that deal with that subject near and dear to my heart, the Navy in the Civil War. And, even better, these new books are about the little-known tinclads, timberclads and Le Roy Fitch.
His latest effort is "Tinclads in the Civil War: Union Light-Draught Gunboat Operations on Western waters, 1862-1865."
Slow and heavy ironclads were ineffective on western rivers (the Brown Water Navy), so steamboats were outfitted with thin armor and guns and carried the main load of activity. They were often attacked from the river banks and provided convoy protection for merchant ships, enforced revenue measures (not exactly sure what this means), towed ships, ran dispatches and performed other fleet support services.
However, at $55, that is a bit too much for me to spend these days of retirement.
The other two books in the series:
"Le Roy Fitch: The Civil War career of a Union River Boat Commander" 2007.
"The Timberclads in the Civil War: The Lexington, Conestoga, and Tyler in Western Waters" 2008
Congratulations Mr. Smith. --Old B-Runner
His latest effort is "Tinclads in the Civil War: Union Light-Draught Gunboat Operations on Western waters, 1862-1865."
Slow and heavy ironclads were ineffective on western rivers (the Brown Water Navy), so steamboats were outfitted with thin armor and guns and carried the main load of activity. They were often attacked from the river banks and provided convoy protection for merchant ships, enforced revenue measures (not exactly sure what this means), towed ships, ran dispatches and performed other fleet support services.
However, at $55, that is a bit too much for me to spend these days of retirement.
The other two books in the series:
"Le Roy Fitch: The Civil War career of a Union River Boat Commander" 2007.
"The Timberclads in the Civil War: The Lexington, Conestoga, and Tyler in Western Waters" 2008
Congratulations Mr. Smith. --Old B-Runner
Friday, January 8, 2010
Before It gets Too Late: Naval This Day in History
Back to January 6, 2010 in the Civil War Interactive's This Day in History.
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1862
Foote Failing to Find Forces
Back in 1861, Admiral Foote was complaining about a lack of ships, especially gun boats. Now, he had the ships, but not enough crews and asked the government for 1000 sailors and got 500. and was told to get the rest from the Army.
He wrote Halleck in Washington and Grant in St. Louis. Grant told him he could have all the Union soldiers he was holding prisoner in the stockade Foote wanted.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1863
British Boat Bagged By Blockaders
A British ship was captured this date trying to run the blockade at Mobile. This was a very fast way for investors to make money. Union crews also shared the wealth when a blockade runner was captured.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1865
Bumbling Butler Belatedly Booted
Gen. Butler's military career not very successful. He was reviled by the South with the order out to shoot on sight. His last two missions had been failures: the James River Canal and First Attack on Fort Fisher. This date, Grant wrote Lincoln asking to have Butler removed from command of the Army of the James.
Good Old "Beast Butler." --Good Old "B-Runner."
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1862
Foote Failing to Find Forces
Back in 1861, Admiral Foote was complaining about a lack of ships, especially gun boats. Now, he had the ships, but not enough crews and asked the government for 1000 sailors and got 500. and was told to get the rest from the Army.
He wrote Halleck in Washington and Grant in St. Louis. Grant told him he could have all the Union soldiers he was holding prisoner in the stockade Foote wanted.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1863
British Boat Bagged By Blockaders
A British ship was captured this date trying to run the blockade at Mobile. This was a very fast way for investors to make money. Union crews also shared the wealth when a blockade runner was captured.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1865
Bumbling Butler Belatedly Booted
Gen. Butler's military career not very successful. He was reviled by the South with the order out to shoot on sight. His last two missions had been failures: the James River Canal and First Attack on Fort Fisher. This date, Grant wrote Lincoln asking to have Butler removed from command of the Army of the James.
Good Old "Beast Butler." --Good Old "B-Runner."
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