From the Sept. 30th Macon.com (Georgia) "Man wants Civil War artifacts back from Cannonball House" by Joe Kovac, Jr..
This is the article that cost me so much time last week. But, I didn't know anything about the people or that aspect of the battle.
A lawsuit was filed Sept. 29th over a Confederate Naval officer's sword captured at the Battle of Mobile Bay by a man who wanted it back from the Macon museum. Also, the sword of Captain James E. "Fighting Jim" Jouett, who later became a rear admiral in the US Navy.
In the late 1800s, Jouett gave his sword and that of Confederate Navy Captain Peter U. Murphrey, who died in 1876, to Murphrey's daughter. Murphrey had surrendered his sword to Jouett when his vessel, the CSS Selma was captured by the USS Metacomet.
The suit was brought by Murphrey's great-great-great grandson, Michael H. Dunn of Atlanta. He contends that a flag, the two swords and other artifacts loaned to the Cannonball House decades ago should be returned to him. Some of them are in bad shape and others lost by the Friends of the Cannonball House.
The swords and artifacts were passed down for generations in the Mumphrey family until 1967, when they were loaned to the local United Daughters of the Confederacy chapter for display in the house.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A USS Monitor Museum-- Part 2
Assemblyman Joseph Lentol arranged for a $50,000 grant for the museum, geotechnical and environmental testing at the site, the purchase of the sign, a flag pole, entrance gate and picnic tables.
President Lincoln overruled the Ironclad Board's decision not to use Ericsson's design. Ericcson had gotten a bad name because of the explosions on board the USS Princeton before the war.
At the Monitor's launching, Ericsson stood on the Monitor's deck to prove his faith hat the unlikely-looking ship would not sink.
From the group's website:
Founded in 1996 at Greenpoint, Brooklyn. John Ericsson designed the ship and it was built by the Continental Iron Works Company and the ship was launched January 30, 1861, just a month and a half before it met the CSS Virginia in the first battle of ironclads. It was built very quickly, taking just over three months from the keel being laid to launch.
One Innovative Warship. --Old B-R'er
President Lincoln overruled the Ironclad Board's decision not to use Ericsson's design. Ericcson had gotten a bad name because of the explosions on board the USS Princeton before the war.
At the Monitor's launching, Ericsson stood on the Monitor's deck to prove his faith hat the unlikely-looking ship would not sink.
From the group's website:
Founded in 1996 at Greenpoint, Brooklyn. John Ericsson designed the ship and it was built by the Continental Iron Works Company and the ship was launched January 30, 1861, just a month and a half before it met the CSS Virginia in the first battle of ironclads. It was built very quickly, taking just over three months from the keel being laid to launch.
One Innovative Warship. --Old B-R'er
A USS Monitor Museum-- Part 1
From the Oct. 6th Greenpoint (NY)Gazette :An Ironclad Sign: The Monitor Museum."
Celebrating the 15th anniversary of its founding, the Greenpoint Monitor Museum dedicated a new sign at the site this past Oct. 1st. A group of officials, supporters and the Oliver Tilden Camp #26 of the Sons of Union Veterans were at the ceremony.
As of yet, the group does not have a permanent structure at the site where the USS Monitor was built from late 1861 to early 1862, but they are making an effort to build one at the one acre site at Bushwick Inlet.
Having the ceremony now is appropriate because of three major Monitor events that took place 150 years ago:
September 15, 1861: John Ericsson's appearance before Lincoln's Ironclad Board.
October 4, 1861: The signing of contracts for construction of the ship.
October 25, 1861: The laying of the Monitor's keel.
In 2003, Motiva Enterprises donated the acre, at Quay Street at the East River, where the Monitor was built and launched to the group. Immediately, the City of New York slapped an Imminent Domain on the site.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Celebrating the 15th anniversary of its founding, the Greenpoint Monitor Museum dedicated a new sign at the site this past Oct. 1st. A group of officials, supporters and the Oliver Tilden Camp #26 of the Sons of Union Veterans were at the ceremony.
As of yet, the group does not have a permanent structure at the site where the USS Monitor was built from late 1861 to early 1862, but they are making an effort to build one at the one acre site at Bushwick Inlet.
Having the ceremony now is appropriate because of three major Monitor events that took place 150 years ago:
September 15, 1861: John Ericsson's appearance before Lincoln's Ironclad Board.
October 4, 1861: The signing of contracts for construction of the ship.
October 25, 1861: The laying of the Monitor's keel.
In 2003, Motiva Enterprises donated the acre, at Quay Street at the East River, where the Monitor was built and launched to the group. Immediately, the City of New York slapped an Imminent Domain on the site.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Journey to Cape Fear
A book review by Ben Steelman in the June 20th Wilmington (NC) Star News Bookmarks column.
"Journey to Cape Fear: The Prices of Brunswick County" by Michael L. Price, $7.95 available at the Southport Visitors Center.
This book is also about the Pivers (Huguenots from France), Coxes, Craigs, Cumbees Swans, Willketses, Hewitts, Tharps and other families in the area.
There is a chapter on the 30th North Carolina State Troops which served at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Another chapter is on blockade-running (mostly about the General Beauregard (of particular interest to me because that was the ship sunk off Carolina Beach in front of my grandparents' cottage. I spent much time watching the top of the ship which still can be seen.).
There is information on the Cape Fear pilots who guided ships across the bar and on the river. Obviously, there is a lot of history of the Price family, the history of the Price's Creek Lighthouses, Fort Fisher and, for some reason, General Francis Marion (the Swampfox?).
I look forward to reading this book.
Good Old Cape Fear History. --Old B-R'er
"Journey to Cape Fear: The Prices of Brunswick County" by Michael L. Price, $7.95 available at the Southport Visitors Center.
This book is also about the Pivers (Huguenots from France), Coxes, Craigs, Cumbees Swans, Willketses, Hewitts, Tharps and other families in the area.
There is a chapter on the 30th North Carolina State Troops which served at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Another chapter is on blockade-running (mostly about the General Beauregard (of particular interest to me because that was the ship sunk off Carolina Beach in front of my grandparents' cottage. I spent much time watching the top of the ship which still can be seen.).
There is information on the Cape Fear pilots who guided ships across the bar and on the river. Obviously, there is a lot of history of the Price family, the history of the Price's Creek Lighthouses, Fort Fisher and, for some reason, General Francis Marion (the Swampfox?).
I look forward to reading this book.
Good Old Cape Fear History. --Old B-R'er
Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry Rates Going Up-- Part 2
The Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry (FF-S) gets 4-5% of its operating budget from fares, now $5 a car load. In the 2009-2010 year, the FF-S ferries carried more than 167,000 vehicles and 455,000 passengers.
Captain Sandy Mitchell is a 24-year veteran and works 12 and a half hour days for a week and then is off for a week.
I have read that Southport is afraid of the negative impact an increase will have on their local economy because of a drop in tourists. No doubt Fort Fisher will likewise see a drop, although I think most people visiting the area are primarily there for the beach and nearby North Carolina State Aquarium.
And, like I said, to drive from Fort Fisher, back through Wilmington, then back down the west bank of the Cape Fear River to Southport is about fifty miles. And then, there's that horrible Wilmington traffic.
Here's Hoping for a Smaller, Non-Chicago/Illinois Rate Increase. --Old B-Runner
Captain Sandy Mitchell is a 24-year veteran and works 12 and a half hour days for a week and then is off for a week.
I have read that Southport is afraid of the negative impact an increase will have on their local economy because of a drop in tourists. No doubt Fort Fisher will likewise see a drop, although I think most people visiting the area are primarily there for the beach and nearby North Carolina State Aquarium.
And, like I said, to drive from Fort Fisher, back through Wilmington, then back down the west bank of the Cape Fear River to Southport is about fifty miles. And then, there's that horrible Wilmington traffic.
Here's Hoping for a Smaller, Non-Chicago/Illinois Rate Increase. --Old B-Runner
Friday, October 7, 2011
Don't Try to Lie Your Way Out with Captain Alden
From the October 4 Civil War Daily Gazette.
October 4, 1861, Friday.
The USS South Carolina (5 guns) under Capt. James Alden, intercepted the steamer Joseph H. Toone in the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River. It was five days out of Havana and had changed her course when spotted.
The Toone's Captain Pennigton tried to claim he was from Havana and heading for Tampico, Mexico, some 450 miles away. Alden didn't believe it at all. How could a captain get that lost.
Examination of the ship's cargo of between 4,000 and 5,000 stand of arms proved the vessel to be a blockade-runner.
Five days earlier, the South Carolina had captured the Ezilda, commanded by former US Navy officer Captain William Anderson Hicks, late of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis.
He also tried to lie his way out, saying it was a British vessel some 400 miles off course.
It became a prize of the South Carolina as well.
Not Bad for a Week's Work. --Old B-R'er
October 4, 1861, Friday.
The USS South Carolina (5 guns) under Capt. James Alden, intercepted the steamer Joseph H. Toone in the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River. It was five days out of Havana and had changed her course when spotted.
The Toone's Captain Pennigton tried to claim he was from Havana and heading for Tampico, Mexico, some 450 miles away. Alden didn't believe it at all. How could a captain get that lost.
Examination of the ship's cargo of between 4,000 and 5,000 stand of arms proved the vessel to be a blockade-runner.
Five days earlier, the South Carolina had captured the Ezilda, commanded by former US Navy officer Captain William Anderson Hicks, late of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis.
He also tried to lie his way out, saying it was a British vessel some 400 miles off course.
It became a prize of the South Carolina as well.
Not Bad for a Week's Work. --Old B-R'er
Lt. Charles Henry Swasey, USN
From the Oct. 3rd Tannton (Mass.) Daily Gazette "Who Lies Here--A lieutenant's family."
The grave of Charles Henry Swasey, Lt. USN, is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in the family plot. The monument has a concrete naval cannon atop it.
Swasey was born June 21, 1839, and appointed as a midshipman at the US Naval Academy Sept. 29, 1854. Upon commissioning, he went to the East Indies on the USS Hartford.
On August 31, 1861, he was commissioned lieutenant and became the executive officer on the USS Varuna. He and his ship served with distinction at the Battle of New Orleans where the Varuna was lost after being rammed two times each by the CSS Governor Moore (which also fired a hole through its own bow to hit the Varuna when it could depress its bow gun sufficiently) and the CSS Stonewall Jackson.
Eight sailors on the Varuna received the Congressional medal of Honor for their roles in the action.
He then became executive officer on the USS Sciota and served in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.
On Oct. 4, 1862, the Sciota battled Confederate forces near Donaldson, Louisiana. Lt. Swasey was wounded by the first shot of the battle at 1:30 pm. A 12-pdr. rifled shot hit him in the right hip and took off his right hand. He was dead at 3 pm.
Reportedly his last words were, "Tell mother I tried to be a good man." Just 23 years old.
Two destroyers have been named after him.
Not Forgotten. --Old B-Runner
The grave of Charles Henry Swasey, Lt. USN, is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in the family plot. The monument has a concrete naval cannon atop it.
Swasey was born June 21, 1839, and appointed as a midshipman at the US Naval Academy Sept. 29, 1854. Upon commissioning, he went to the East Indies on the USS Hartford.
On August 31, 1861, he was commissioned lieutenant and became the executive officer on the USS Varuna. He and his ship served with distinction at the Battle of New Orleans where the Varuna was lost after being rammed two times each by the CSS Governor Moore (which also fired a hole through its own bow to hit the Varuna when it could depress its bow gun sufficiently) and the CSS Stonewall Jackson.
Eight sailors on the Varuna received the Congressional medal of Honor for their roles in the action.
He then became executive officer on the USS Sciota and served in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.
On Oct. 4, 1862, the Sciota battled Confederate forces near Donaldson, Louisiana. Lt. Swasey was wounded by the first shot of the battle at 1:30 pm. A 12-pdr. rifled shot hit him in the right hip and took off his right hand. He was dead at 3 pm.
Reportedly his last words were, "Tell mother I tried to be a good man." Just 23 years old.
Two destroyers have been named after him.
Not Forgotten. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, October 6, 2011
North Carolina's Fort Macon
From the June 18th Fayetteville (NC) Observer "Summer Exploring: Oceanfront Fort Macona fortress for history" by Michael Futch.
The fort now features a newly acquired fireable reproduction of a 32-pounder made by students at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro.
It was first garrisoned 177 years ago and has been restored to appear as it did in the Civil War. A few years ago, $12 million was spent on repairs and renovation.
The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Macon will be April 12, 2012, something I'd like to attend.
The fort is the centerpiece of a 422 acre park and is surrounded on three sides by water: Atlantic Ocean, Bogue Sound and Beaufort Inlet.
Construction on the masonry fort began after the War of 1812 and cost $464,000.
Robert E. Lee designed the front door and made modifications on the fort while he was a coastal inspector for the US Army before the Civil War. North Carolina militia seized it on April 14, 1861, and the Confederates held it for almost a year, mounting 54 heavy cannons. It fell after a 11 hour battle
During Reconstruction, it served as a Federal Prison. It was reactivated during the Spanish-American War and World War II.
I haven't been to it for many years.
A Little-Known Fort for Most People. --Old B-Runner
The fort now features a newly acquired fireable reproduction of a 32-pounder made by students at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro.
It was first garrisoned 177 years ago and has been restored to appear as it did in the Civil War. A few years ago, $12 million was spent on repairs and renovation.
The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Macon will be April 12, 2012, something I'd like to attend.
The fort is the centerpiece of a 422 acre park and is surrounded on three sides by water: Atlantic Ocean, Bogue Sound and Beaufort Inlet.
Construction on the masonry fort began after the War of 1812 and cost $464,000.
Robert E. Lee designed the front door and made modifications on the fort while he was a coastal inspector for the US Army before the Civil War. North Carolina militia seized it on April 14, 1861, and the Confederates held it for almost a year, mounting 54 heavy cannons. It fell after a 11 hour battle
During Reconstruction, it served as a Federal Prison. It was reactivated during the Spanish-American War and World War II.
I haven't been to it for many years.
A Little-Known Fort for Most People. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
150th Anniversary of the Chicamacomico Races-- Part 2
From the October 5th Civil War Daily gazette.
Saturday, October 5, 1861--
Upon finding that the North Carolina troops had not landed, the Confederates began withdrawing northward. A New York regiment from Fort Hatteras came out and started to chase the Georgians, making up the five miles between them quickly. And then we had a repeat of the previous day's action, only in reverse.
The USS Monticello followed along the beach, shelling the retreating Confederates.
To lighten their loads, many Georgians took off their shoes, socks and pants. Only two were wounded in the retreat and they made it to the Confederate ships and withdrew back to Roanoke.
I'm not sure why the Confederates took off their pants, but sure hope they had shorts on.
It Could Have Been a Real Mooning Experience. --Old B-R'er
Saturday, October 5, 1861--
Upon finding that the North Carolina troops had not landed, the Confederates began withdrawing northward. A New York regiment from Fort Hatteras came out and started to chase the Georgians, making up the five miles between them quickly. And then we had a repeat of the previous day's action, only in reverse.
The USS Monticello followed along the beach, shelling the retreating Confederates.
To lighten their loads, many Georgians took off their shoes, socks and pants. Only two were wounded in the retreat and they made it to the Confederate ships and withdrew back to Roanoke.
I'm not sure why the Confederates took off their pants, but sure hope they had shorts on.
It Could Have Been a Real Mooning Experience. --Old B-R'er
150th Anniversary of the Chicamacomico Races-- Part 1
With a name like that, I just had to write about it, especially since I had never heard of it before.
From the Civil War Daily Gazette, October 4th and 5th. A great site of interest as they do the war on a day-to-day basis.
Essentially, this was a foot race up and down North Carolina's Outer Banks from Chicamacomico (by Rodanthe) to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. First, the Rebels chased the Yankees, then, the shoe was on the other foot, hence the name races. They covered about thirty miles each way.
This took place after the fall of the Confederate forts at Hatteras Inlet.
Confederate Colonel A.E, Wright on Roanoke Island learned that a regiment of Indiana soldiers had landed near Chicamacomico, 35 miles north of Union-held Fort Hatteras. They were in an exposed position, so the colonel planned to land Georgia troops north of them and then North Carolina ones south and capture the whole group. Then, from there, an attack on Fort Hatteras was in order.
His two regiments were loaded onto the Confederate "Mosquito Fleet" and taken to Chicamacomico. When the Federals spotted the Georgians coming, instead of fighting, they skedaddled south.
Then, it was off to the races with first the Indianans, then the Georgians, with the "Mosquito Fleet" following along the sound side maintaining fire and looking for a spot to land the North Carolina troops.
They failed to land the troops when they ran aground. By midnight, the Union troops had made it to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, about 30 miles from where they had started. Both sides camped for the night.
Day Two Next. --Old B-Runner
From the Civil War Daily Gazette, October 4th and 5th. A great site of interest as they do the war on a day-to-day basis.
Essentially, this was a foot race up and down North Carolina's Outer Banks from Chicamacomico (by Rodanthe) to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. First, the Rebels chased the Yankees, then, the shoe was on the other foot, hence the name races. They covered about thirty miles each way.
This took place after the fall of the Confederate forts at Hatteras Inlet.
Confederate Colonel A.E, Wright on Roanoke Island learned that a regiment of Indiana soldiers had landed near Chicamacomico, 35 miles north of Union-held Fort Hatteras. They were in an exposed position, so the colonel planned to land Georgia troops north of them and then North Carolina ones south and capture the whole group. Then, from there, an attack on Fort Hatteras was in order.
His two regiments were loaded onto the Confederate "Mosquito Fleet" and taken to Chicamacomico. When the Federals spotted the Georgians coming, instead of fighting, they skedaddled south.
Then, it was off to the races with first the Indianans, then the Georgians, with the "Mosquito Fleet" following along the sound side maintaining fire and looking for a spot to land the North Carolina troops.
They failed to land the troops when they ran aground. By midnight, the Union troops had made it to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, about 30 miles from where they had started. Both sides camped for the night.
Day Two Next. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Why It Takes So Long To Do This Blog
Earlier today, while looking at the Civil War Interactive site, I came across an article about a family suing the Cannonball House in Macon, Georgia, to retrieve items lent to the place. Two of the artifacts were the swords of a Union and Confederate naval officer, Captain James "Fighting Jim" Jouett, USN, and Captain Peter U. Murphrey, CSN. I had never heard of either man.
The Confederate sword had been surrendered to the Union officer at the Battle of Mobile Bay when the USS Metacomet forced the CSS Selma to surrender.
Evidently, the museum, which i have heard of, wasn't taking very good care of the items.
Well, then, I had to look up the two men. James Jouett went on to become a rear admiral after the war. Murphrey, a former US Navy officer, was wounded at the battle, but recovered and eventually returned to Mobile to live until drowning in it at the home of friend Paul Ravesies, who I also had to look up.
This ended up taking over two hours.
I Will be Writing About It. --Old B-Runner
The Confederate sword had been surrendered to the Union officer at the Battle of Mobile Bay when the USS Metacomet forced the CSS Selma to surrender.
Evidently, the museum, which i have heard of, wasn't taking very good care of the items.
Well, then, I had to look up the two men. James Jouett went on to become a rear admiral after the war. Murphrey, a former US Navy officer, was wounded at the battle, but recovered and eventually returned to Mobile to live until drowning in it at the home of friend Paul Ravesies, who I also had to look up.
This ended up taking over two hours.
I Will be Writing About It. --Old B-Runner
Monday, October 3, 2011
Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry Rates Going Up?-- Part 1
From the October 2nd Wilmington (NC) Star News.
Like every other governmental body in the country, North Carolina is facing budgetary shortfalls and looking for ways to increase funds. One thing under consideration is to raise ferry tolls for the Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry, with one terminus located just south of Fort Fisher and the other across the Cape Fear River at Southport.
Right now, they charge each car a flat $5 a car to cross the river (no charge for passengers), a very scenic and several mile trip. Without the ferry, if you wanted to get to the other side from either terminus, it would involve a drive upriver to Wilmington and back down, about 40-50 miles. And then, there is that horrible Wilmington traffic to contend with.
Thoughts are to raise it as high as $18, but lesser amounts are also under consideration. Raising the rates might very well hurt tourism between the two areas.
Debi Rust of Carolina Beach, four miles north of Fort Fisher, pays $150 a year for a commuter pass to get back and forth from her job at Wells Fargo in Southport. She catches the 7:45 am there and comes back on the 4:45 pm ferry. She says she believes she is being undercharged and wouldn't mind seeing it go up by $50-$100.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Like every other governmental body in the country, North Carolina is facing budgetary shortfalls and looking for ways to increase funds. One thing under consideration is to raise ferry tolls for the Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry, with one terminus located just south of Fort Fisher and the other across the Cape Fear River at Southport.
Right now, they charge each car a flat $5 a car to cross the river (no charge for passengers), a very scenic and several mile trip. Without the ferry, if you wanted to get to the other side from either terminus, it would involve a drive upriver to Wilmington and back down, about 40-50 miles. And then, there is that horrible Wilmington traffic to contend with.
Thoughts are to raise it as high as $18, but lesser amounts are also under consideration. Raising the rates might very well hurt tourism between the two areas.
Debi Rust of Carolina Beach, four miles north of Fort Fisher, pays $150 a year for a commuter pass to get back and forth from her job at Wells Fargo in Southport. She catches the 7:45 am there and comes back on the 4:45 pm ferry. She says she believes she is being undercharged and wouldn't mind seeing it go up by $50-$100.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
What Exactly Does "Saw the Elephant" Mean?
My brother Bob was reading the blog recently and asked what the name of the blog meant. Good question, especially for non-Civil War folk.
"Saw the Elephant" was a term evidently used by both Confederate and Union troops to describe battle. If you were in a battle (or skirmish), you "Saw the Elephant."
On our way down to our Camp Douglas Sons of Confederate Veterans meetings in Des Plaines, Illinois, we always passed an auto dealership with an elephant statue out front. We'd get to the meeting and saw we had seen the elephant.
On a side note, we meet at the Silver Stallion restaurant, a family place. But also in Des Plaines, there is the original Ray Kroc McDonald's (not open, but a nearby new McDonald's is and a White Castle.
Two other interesting places to eat are the Sugar Bowl on Northwest Highway (US-14), an old 30s place with a great overhead sign and the Choo-Choo restaurant where your order comes around on a model train.
Good Eatin' and a Bit the Confederacy North of the Mason-Dixon. --Old B-R'er
"Saw the Elephant" was a term evidently used by both Confederate and Union troops to describe battle. If you were in a battle (or skirmish), you "Saw the Elephant."
On our way down to our Camp Douglas Sons of Confederate Veterans meetings in Des Plaines, Illinois, we always passed an auto dealership with an elephant statue out front. We'd get to the meeting and saw we had seen the elephant.
On a side note, we meet at the Silver Stallion restaurant, a family place. But also in Des Plaines, there is the original Ray Kroc McDonald's (not open, but a nearby new McDonald's is and a White Castle.
Two other interesting places to eat are the Sugar Bowl on Northwest Highway (US-14), an old 30s place with a great overhead sign and the Choo-Choo restaurant where your order comes around on a model train.
Good Eatin' and a Bit the Confederacy North of the Mason-Dixon. --Old B-R'er
Retracing the CSS Neuse's Career
All 25-miles of it.
From the May/June Confederate Veteran Magazine.
There was a picture of compatriots Scott Huddle and Chris Mitchell of the 47 Regiment NC Troops Camp 166, Wake Forest, NC, standing in front of the remains of the CSS Neuse's hull in Kinston.
They paddled the same 25-mile route that the vessel took down the Neuse River from Whitehall (now Seven Springs) to Kinston.
And, that was about it for the ship's career.
Because of Union sea power, several Confederate naval bases were moved inland along rivers for protection. This particular ironclad was built in what was a cornfield near Goldsboro before the war.
Had the Neuse River been a bit deeper, the ship a little less draft and had it been completed sooner, it might have had a more interesting career.
The remains of the hull were dredged up from the river at Kinston in the 1960s and today housed in an open pavilion where the ship is fast deteriorating. Plans are in the works for an enclosed site. A 100% scale replica of the ship, the CSS Neuse II, is located in Kinston.
Ramming Speed!! --Old B-Runner
From the May/June Confederate Veteran Magazine.
There was a picture of compatriots Scott Huddle and Chris Mitchell of the 47 Regiment NC Troops Camp 166, Wake Forest, NC, standing in front of the remains of the CSS Neuse's hull in Kinston.
They paddled the same 25-mile route that the vessel took down the Neuse River from Whitehall (now Seven Springs) to Kinston.
And, that was about it for the ship's career.
Because of Union sea power, several Confederate naval bases were moved inland along rivers for protection. This particular ironclad was built in what was a cornfield near Goldsboro before the war.
Had the Neuse River been a bit deeper, the ship a little less draft and had it been completed sooner, it might have had a more interesting career.
The remains of the hull were dredged up from the river at Kinston in the 1960s and today housed in an open pavilion where the ship is fast deteriorating. Plans are in the works for an enclosed site. A 100% scale replica of the ship, the CSS Neuse II, is located in Kinston.
Ramming Speed!! --Old B-Runner
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Williams Guns in Schoolfield's Battery
There were six Williams guns in Schoolfield's Battery, commanded by Captain J.J. Schoolfield, the only battery to consist solely of the unique cannons.
The 25 men were attached to the 4th Kentucky Cavalry and could fire up to 40 rounds a minute, but at that rate were somewhat erratic.
They usually fired one pound solid balls, but on occasion loaded the barrels with buckshot and half ounce ball cartridges.
The guns performed well according to my source and often confused Federal forces as to just what sort of artillery they were up against.
An Interesting Weapon. --Old B-Runner
The 25 men were attached to the 4th Kentucky Cavalry and could fire up to 40 rounds a minute, but at that rate were somewhat erratic.
They usually fired one pound solid balls, but on occasion loaded the barrels with buckshot and half ounce ball cartridges.
The guns performed well according to my source and often confused Federal forces as to just what sort of artillery they were up against.
An Interesting Weapon. --Old B-Runner
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