Yesterday, I wrote about the April 20, 1863 capture of this town on the Atchafalaya River in naval history. I have never heard of it before, so did some research.
Two of the ships taking place in the action had interesting histories. The USS Clifton ran aground and was captured later that year on Sept. 8th at the Battle of Sabine Pass and became a Confederate gunboat. It later ran aground again and was burned to prevent capture.
The USS Arizona was a former merchant ship and later a blockade runner. On October 28, 1862, it was chased for six hours by the USS Montgomery while en route from Havana to Mobile. When boarded, the commander claimed he was heading for Matamoros, Mexico. The Montgomery's commander replied, tongue-in-cheek, "I do not take you for running the blockade, but for your damned poor navigation. Any man bound for Matamoros from Havana and coming within twelve miles of the Mobile light has no business to have a steamer.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FORT BURTON?
Fort Burton was more of a battery than a fort and mounted two old siege guns. Four companies of troops attacked it. A Harold Schoeffler came across a 1914 map showing a former Confederate fort being a cemetery. Some metal detector fans believe they have found the fort. Others believe the river shifted and now covers it.
The Union victory here opened a passage for Union ships through Atchafalaya Bay to Atchafalaya River and connected the Gulf of Mexico with the Red and Mississippi rivers. It also led to the capture of Shreveport.
It seems surprising that this important of a place would have been defended so poorly. There sure isn't a lot of information on this engagement.
Stuff You Don't Know. --Old B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
