Six More Questions on Fort Fisher-- Part 2

Answers below.

6.  The fall of Fort Fisher closed of what Confederate port?

7.  Who was the Confederate general in charge of the whole area who did not attempt to save the fort?

8.  Fort Fisher was built to protect Wilmington and help what kind of ship get into the harbor?

9.  What was the name of the famed Confederate naval officer  who commanded the CSS Albemarle, CSS Florida and also blockade runners?  

10.  Fort Fisher is often called the Malakoff Tower of the South."  In what war was the Malakoff Tower?

11.  Frank Crawford question.  (This means it is really hard.)  Fort Fisher was surrendered buy a Confederate major who had also surrendered Fort Johnston across the Cape Fear River to the Confederate earlier in the war.  What was his name?

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ANSWERS

6.  Wilmington, North Carolina

7.  Braxton Bragg

8.  Blockade Runners

9.  John Newland Maffitt

10.  Crimean War

11.  Major James Reilly

I got them all correct, but, of course, I'm a Fort Fisher nut.

--Old B-Runner

MCCWRT Discussion Group Dec. Meeting-- Part 1: Trivia, Too Easy, Too Hard

This past  Saturday, the McHenry County Civil War Round Table met at Panera Bread in Crystal Lake, Illinois, with the topic being Civil War Trivia.  We all took turns asking questions.  I mostly asked naval questions that were fairly easily answered.

(My questions are in my Civil War Navy blog, Running the Blockade.)

The only three that they couldn't answer was the name of the man who surrendered three forts during the war.  One was Fort Johnston which he surrendered twice to Confederate while he was still a U.S. ordnance sergeant and the other, Fort Fisher, he surrendered to Union forces as a Confederate major.  This man was James Reilly.

Another was which battle took place Christmas Eve and Day 1864.  And that was the First Battle of Fort Fisher.

The third one was the Union admiral who made $109,689 for his cut on captured blockade runners, S.P. Lee, a distant relative of Robert E. Lee.

Of course, like with so many Civil War buffs, there is not a lot of knowledge about the Navy part of the war.

--Old Secesh

My 20 Most Significant Events Affecting the Outcome of the Civil War-- Part 1: Enlisting Black Soldiers

On July 29 our Mchenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group met at Panera Bread in Crystal Lakem, Illinois, with this as the topic of the day.

Interesting topic and some interesting ideas as to the significant events.

I took about 15-20 minutes to come up with my own list off the top of my head.

Here they are:

1.  Enlisting blacks in the Union Army/

2.  Northern industry superiority/ Southern industry's inadequacies and lack of

3.  Collapse of the Southern will to fight as the war progressed

4.  Advances in Naval architecture:  ironclads, turrets, steam power and bigger guns.

5.  Special-use warships (ferry boats and double enders) special-built blockade runners.

--Old Secesh

McHenry Civil War Round Table Discussion Group Meets Saturday, July 29: Topic Is the Twenty Most Significant Events Of/Affecting the Civil War

The McHenry Civil War Round Table will be meeting Saturday, July 29, 2017, at the Panera Bread Company in Crystal Lake, Illinois, at US-14 and Main Street.

The meeting will go from 10: a.m. to noon.

This month's discussion is a good one and should get a lot of input.  It is "The Twenty Most Significant Events of / Affecting of the Civil War."

I have my list already prepared and will give some of them.  The rest will be next week.

1.  The enlistment of blacks into the Union Army.

2.  Northern industry.

3.  Collapse of the Southern will to fight.

4.  Advances in Naval architecture:  growth of steam power, bigger guns, ironclads and turrets.

5.  Special use warships and blockade-runners.

Looking forward to hearing what others have to say.

Should be a Good One.  See You There.  --Old Secesh

This Week in the War 150 Years Ago: Washington DC Under Blockade

Also, at this time, the Confederacy had a blockade of the nation's capital along the Potomac River. Union vessels still were able to get by it, though according to AP reports Dec. 18th: "Some eight or ten schooners have run the blockade on the Potomac during the past forty-eight hours."

But, "The new batteries which the rebels have recently disclosed, show that it is their intention to make the blockade as effectual as they can."

Before these last several months, I was unaware that the Confederates had a blockade of their own along the Potomac, figuring that Union forces had immediately seized all ground on the south bank of the river.

You always hear of the Union blockade of the Southern coast, but here, the Confederates had their own little blockade going. And, the North had their own blockade-runners.

Stuff I Didn't Know. --Old B-Runner

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: Fort Fisher Fired On

From the Civil War Naval Chronology 1861-1865.

NOVEMBER 11, 1861-- Thaddeus Lowe made a balloon observation of Confederate forces from the Balloon Boat G.W. Parke Curtis anchored in the Potomac River. The early aircraft carrier was purchased for $150 and readied fr service at the Washington Navy Yard. It was towed to the site by the steamer Couer de Lion.

NOVEMBER 12, 1861-- The Fingal (later CSS Atlanta) purchased in England, ran the Savannah blockade with military supplies, the first ship to run the blockade on solely Confederate government account.

NOVEMBER 15, 1861-- Confederate commissioners Mason and Slidell disembarked from the USS San Jacinto, Captain Wilkes,at Fort Monroe.

NOVEMBER 16, 1861-- Confederate Secretary of the Navy Mallory advertised for plans and bids for construction of four seagoing ironclads capable of carrying four guns each.

Today, 1861-- The USS Monticello, Lt. Braine, engaged Confederate battery near New Inlet, North Carolina. That would be Fort Fisher. This is tye first action of read of at Fort Fisher in the Civil War Naval Chronology.


NOVEMBER 22, 1861-- The USS Niagara, Flag officer McKean, USS Richmond, Capt. Ellison, and Fort Pickens began two day bombardment against Confederate defenses at Fort McRee, the Pensacola Navy Yard and the town of Warrington. Much damage done to Confederate positions and USS Richmond.

NOVEMBER 24, 1861-- A landing party from the USS Flag, Cmdr. J. Rodgers, USS Augusta, Pochahontas, Seneca and Savannah took possession of Tybee Island, Savannah. Admiral Du Pont attributed the Confederate abandonment of the island without a fight was "due to the terror inspired by the bombardment of Forts Walker and Beauregard...."

Skeered Away Again. --Old B-Runner

Friends of Fort Fisher Annual Meeting This Saturday

I just joined this group this past summer. As a big Fort Fisher fan, how could I not join.

From the Wilmington Gives Back,Org.

This Saturday, Nov. 12th the Friends of Fort Fisher (FoFF) organization will hold their annual meeting.

Lunch will be served and accomplishments over this past year will be celebrated as well as plans for the future discussed. It is open to members (Hey, That's Me) and guests. The FoFF is a non-profit support group.

North Carolina Deputy State Archaeologist Mark Wild-Ramsing will give a speech about the upcoming 50th anniversary of the NC Underwater Archaeology department and the project that started it, the discovery of and recovery of thousands of objects from the blockade-runner Modern Greece in 1962.

A new Modern Greece exhibit is slated to open at the Fort Fisher Museum ay the Jan. 12th battle observance on the 147th anniversary of the Second Battle of Fort Fisher at which it was captured.


Wish I Was There. Maybe Next Year. --Old B-R'er

Blockade-Runner Theodora-- Part 2

The Theodora returned from Havana to Charleston Nov. 4, 1861, and returned Dec. 4th.

On May 28, 1862, the Theodora, under the command of Captain Walker, was captured by the USS Victoria and a prize crew put aboard. The ship was found to be carrying a cargo of Enfield rifles, arms, clothing and medicine for the Confederacy.

I have found out nothing about what happened to the Theodora after that.

Actually, in Wikipedia's article on the USS Victoria, the vessel was named Nassau at the time it was captured, and another source listed that as being one of the names of the vessel.

The USS Victoria was aided by the USS State of Georgia in the capture and it occurred near Fort Caswell, protecting the entrance to Old Inlet of the Cape Fear River leading to Wilmington, NC. It didn't say if the Nassau was operating out of Wilmington or if it had been chased up the coast from Charleston.

A month later, the Victoria along with Union ships Mount Vernon and Mystic chased the blockade-runner Emily aground and destroyed it off Fort Caswell, heading for Wilmington.

So Much for a Blockade-Runner. --Old B-Runner

Blockade-Runner Theodora-- Part 1

From wowway.com.

The Theodora was a 175-foot long, 7-foot draft steamer capable of 16 knots and carrying a crew of 50. It was originally named the Carolina, then became the Gordon, then the Theodora and finally the Nassau. (I found it mentioned in another source as being a sister ship of the Carolina.)

It had a mixed career as a blockade-runner along with stints in Confederate service as a transport and armed picket ship.

It was built at Greenpoint, NY, in 1852, and worked as a coastal packet out of Charleston, SC, occasionally crossing to Havana.

At the outbreak of the war, it was strengthened and refitted as the Gordon and given a Letter of Marque to operate as a privateer under the command of Captain T.J. Lockwood.

On July 15, 1861, it was disarmed and operated as the Theodora and carried Confederate envoys James Mason and John Slidell Oct. 12, 1861. (The Civil War Gazette said the name was changed after Mason and Slidell chartered it.)

More to Come. --Old B-R'er

Mason and Slidell Run the Blockade-- Part 1

From the October 12th Civil War Daily Gazette.

October 12, 1861, Saturday.

One day ago, 150 years ago, Confederate commissioners James Mason and John Slidell, aboard the blockade-runner, former privateer, Theodora, ran through the blockade of Charleston, SC, headed for Havana and an eventual date with destiny aboard the British ship Trent.

This was another one of those stories that started off with an initial source and then grew and grew.

Britain had classified the Confederacy as a belligerent. As such, the country could buy arms and seize ships. however, the Confederacy was looking for something more along the way of recognition as a sovereign nation.

Three steamers and one sloop-of-war were blockading Charleston at the time. Slidell and Mason were looking for a vessel to leave Charleston in. The steamer Nashville was available and was fast and large enough to go all the way to England. However, word of their intention got out and the Nashville was dropped.

Finding Another Ship. --Old B-Runner

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

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

Another Talk I'd Like to Go To

This would be interesting, but alas, I'm too far away.

This talk will be for the Cape Fear Civil War Round Table in Wilmington, NC, on September 8th.

Donald M. Wilkinson, the great grandson of Captain John Wilkinson, CSN, one of the foremost blockade-runner captains of the Civil War will be giving a talk on his great grandfather.

He commanded the Robert E. lee, a blockade-runner that successfully ran the Wilmington blockade 21 times. A ship that more than paid for itself in profit.

he was also the only Confederate officer to command every type of vessel in that Navy.

He is currently writing a book on the life and times of his great-grandfather.

Surprisingly, there is no entry on Wikipedia for John Wilkinson.

This Would Have to Be Interesting. --Old B-Runner

Looks Like I'll Be Missing An Interesting Talk

I came across an announcement for the Brunswick Civil War Round Table's (Southport, North Carolina) September 6th meeting and their featured speaker, Stephen R. Wise, who will be speaking about blockade-runners. This man is one of the foremost authorities on this activity, having written the book "Lifeline of the Confederacy: Blockade Running During the Civil War."

He is a professor at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Campus and will focus on the blockade off the North Carolina Coast, its impact on Southport (called Smithville during the war) and blockade-running into and out of Wilmington.

You'd better believe I'd really love to be at this talk. I could also get my copy of his book autographed.

Too far Away and Was Just in the Area. --Old B-Runner

ECU Students Working with Cargo of Blockade-Runner Modern Greece-- Part 2

Two pictures accompanied the article, one of a student holding a copper chain on an Enfield rifle from the ship and the other showing pieces of tableware.

The Modern Greece was one of the first runners lost to the blockade off Wilmington. It was an English cargo steamer and not-built for its new activity, especially because of its deep draft. It was carrying a load of consumer goods and weapons for the Confederacy.

It was chased aground June 27, 1862 and sunk by its crew to prevent the gunpowder kegs from exploding.

Students worked to record the type and condition of artifacts and photographed many to evaluate their future conservation.

Items included Enfield rifles, antler-handled knives, handcuffs, hoes, picks and other 1800s farm and household goods.

I Would Have Been Happy to Volunteer My Time. Let Me Know Next Time. --Old B-Runner

ECU Students Working with Cargo of Blockade-Runner Modern Greece-- Part 1

From the Fall 2011 East: the Magazine of East Carolina University.

The Modern Greece was rediscovered in 1962 about 300 yards off the shore of Fort Fisher after a storm uncovered it. Divers recovered around 11,500 artifacts from the wreck. Some of the best items were conserved and put on display at museums.

Its discovery led to the creation of the North Carolina State Underwater Archaeology Branch as a new part of the State Department of Cultural Resources.

However, most of the items were not examined in detail at the time and left in water tanks for preservation where they remained until this past spring when 11 ECU marine studies students went to the Fort Fisher site and did extensive examination, cataloguing and descriptions of said artifacts.

They were led by Susanne Grieve, ECU director of conservation for maritime studies and Nathan Henry, an assistant state archaeologist and they examined consumer goods like tableware along with guns, ammunition and cannons (I didn't know the Modern Greece was carrying cannons).

Without a doubt, I sure would have liked to have been there.

They Should Have Told Me. --Old B-R'er

USS Granite City: Confederate/Union/Confederate

Back on August 17th, I was writing about the USS Penguin (kind of an unlikely name for a naval warship if you ask me) which had been responsible for destroying the first blockade-runner off the Cape Fear/Wilmington area in 1861.

Later in the war, it captured a Confederate blockade-runner called the Granite City off Texas. It seemed to me that I had heard of a USS Granite City, maybe even written about it, so it was to good old Wiki I went.

This blockade-runner had a very interesting career, and, I had been right, at one time it was the USS Granite City.

It had started out as a blockade-runner and had been captured. After condemnation in prize court, the US Navy bought it and turned it into a warship.

Later, the Confederates captured the ship and it was converted into a blockade-runner and then run ashore by the Penguin.

Not Your Usual Ship's History. --Old B-Runner

Blockade-Running at Topsail Island

Today, we went to the Missiles and More Museum in Topsail Beach, North Carolina. Along with pirates, Camp Davis from World War II, and the Bumblebee missile testing, they had two iron ingots recovered from the blockade-runner Phantom.

A total of fourteen ingots were taken from the wreck of the ship which was on its third voyage on the Bermuda-Wilmington run when it was run aground.

The ingots are marked "Pomtifex & Wood, London."

The ship was sunk between Rich's and New Topsail Inlet. Mom's condo is about a mile from the New Topsail Inlet, at least where it is located today.

Could Be Right Offshore of Where I Sit Right Now. --Old B-Runner

Doing Some Civil War Coastal Stuff

Later today, I will be flying down to Wilmington, North Carolina, renting a car, and driving to Topsail Beach for a week at my mom's condo.

The coastal area around Wilmington had considerable saltwork operations during the war as well as blockade-running, both into the Cape Fear River by the bigger runners, but also into the numerous coves and inlets by smaller ones.

A trip to Fort Fisher is also planned, something I'm really looking forward to. Perhaps I'll join the Friends of Fort Fisher while there. I've been considering it for quite some time.

I am also considering a drive north to Newport News to see the turret of the USS Monitor at the Mariner's Museum, but we'll see. I sure would like to see it before it is immersed back in the water tank for another five or so years.

Getting My Civil War Up Close and Personal. --Old B-R'er

The Blockade Thickens-- Part 1

I have been reading an excellent blog called the Long Recall where the author is taking each day of the war and reliving it according to various newspapers from both sides.

In recent posts, the blockade was discussed.


MAY 31, 1861, RICHMOND DAILY DISPATCH

An account of two schooners captured by the Union's Chesapeake Squadron.

Schooner CRENSHAW, Captain Winter from Richmond, arrive in New York City May 28th, under command of Lt. Hunter of the USS Minnesota. Carrying $75,000 worth of tobacco. Taken at Hampton Roads.

Also, schooner HAXALL, Capt. Morse, Richmond, bound for Baltimore with $75,000 tobacco, arrived New York City.

Of course, I would have to wonder why Captain Morse was bound for Baltimore, which was still in control of Union forces. Perhaps, he was lying about it, or perhaps, he was trading with the enemy.

Either way, there was prize money to be made from the sale of the ship and its cargo.

Hey, Those Are My Ships!! --Old B-Runner