From the April 29th Daily Press.
Three weeks after Virginia seceded, the Confederate government became alarmed at the increasingly aggressive patrols by Union gunboats and ordered a company of the Richmond Howitzers to man colonial-era earthworks at Gloucester Point.
They had been in place only a few hours when they fired on the USS Yankee, the first shots fired in defense of Virginia.
It is not sure who started the fight.
Union Lt. Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr., fired the Union's first shots in Virginia. Later, he also served aboard the first ship sunk by an ironclad ship, first Union submarine and first US warship to be sunk by a torpedo (mine). He had a very interesting war record, worth checking out.
Reports have the Confederates initiating the fight when Selfridge steamed to within 2000 yards from shore. Others say Selfridge started it.
The USS Yankee was a 148-foot long tug mointing two 32-pdr. guns.
After the action, the Confederates began building forts by the shore.
Nearby Fort Monroe gave the Union anchorage for the fleet and a path to Richmond. Plus, the defense of Norfolk and the Gosport Navy Yard was so important that famed railroad engineer Major Walter Gwynn, who designed and constructed the Charleston batteries vs. Fort Sumter, came to the area.
Build Them Forts. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label USS Yankee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USS Yankee. Show all posts
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Monday, July 5, 2010
A Civil War Story to Celebrate Memorial Day
From the Warwick (RI) Beacon "Civil War stories as we celebrate Memorial Day" by Russell J. Moore.
William Blade, Jr. served in the Korean War, but he well remembers his grandfather, James Blade, who served in the Civil War. His grandfather died in 1938 at age 96 when William was just nine years old.
But, he remembers his grandfather as one tough old son of a gun, but who was very close-mouthed about the Civil War.
James Blade was born in England in 1842, and came to he United States in 1852. He enlisted in a Rhode Island infantry regiment for money at age 19 in place of a man who had been drafted. He was sent to guard Washington, DC. The regiment returned three months later without having fought in a battle.
Later, in 1962, he joined the Navy and served on the USS Yankee which mostly delivered supplies, evacuated troops, did reconnaissance and captured blockade-runners. In 1864, he got an honorable discharge and enlisted in the Rhode Island artillery and participated in 19 battles.
There are no medical records to substantiate it, but James claimed he was wounded twice: once by a bayonet and once by a saber.
His future wife,Catherine Whelan had brothers who died fighting for the Confederacy.
So, this man served in the infantry, navy and artillery.
Quite a Career. --B-R'er
William Blade, Jr. served in the Korean War, but he well remembers his grandfather, James Blade, who served in the Civil War. His grandfather died in 1938 at age 96 when William was just nine years old.
But, he remembers his grandfather as one tough old son of a gun, but who was very close-mouthed about the Civil War.
James Blade was born in England in 1842, and came to he United States in 1852. He enlisted in a Rhode Island infantry regiment for money at age 19 in place of a man who had been drafted. He was sent to guard Washington, DC. The regiment returned three months later without having fought in a battle.
Later, in 1962, he joined the Navy and served on the USS Yankee which mostly delivered supplies, evacuated troops, did reconnaissance and captured blockade-runners. In 1864, he got an honorable discharge and enlisted in the Rhode Island artillery and participated in 19 battles.
There are no medical records to substantiate it, but James claimed he was wounded twice: once by a bayonet and once by a saber.
His future wife,Catherine Whelan had brothers who died fighting for the Confederacy.
So, this man served in the infantry, navy and artillery.
Quite a Career. --B-R'er
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