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
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Monday, October 24, 2011
This Week in the Civil War
From AP's This Week in the Civil War.
Taking a look at the upcoming events taking place 150 years ago.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 23RD:
The Transcontinental telegraph was completed coast-to-coast. The last part between Nebraska and Nevada finished and now direct contact between the two oceans. The telegraph revolutinized warfare.
You don't hear much about the use in naval affairs, but I'm sure it was.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 30TH:
Commander of the US Army, General Winfield Scott, retired because of age and infirmity. It was his plan to blockade the Confederacy and cut it into parts along rivers that became known as Scott's Anaconda Plan.
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6TH:
The Battle of Port Royal gave the Union a really important base between Charleston and Savannah.
And, real soon, there was the Trent Affair on the 7th.
Lots Going On Along the Naval Front. --Old B-Runner
Taking a look at the upcoming events taking place 150 years ago.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 23RD:
The Transcontinental telegraph was completed coast-to-coast. The last part between Nebraska and Nevada finished and now direct contact between the two oceans. The telegraph revolutinized warfare.
You don't hear much about the use in naval affairs, but I'm sure it was.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 30TH:
Commander of the US Army, General Winfield Scott, retired because of age and infirmity. It was his plan to blockade the Confederacy and cut it into parts along rivers that became known as Scott's Anaconda Plan.
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6TH:
The Battle of Port Royal gave the Union a really important base between Charleston and Savannah.
And, real soon, there was the Trent Affair on the 7th.
Lots Going On Along the Naval Front. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The Fort's Haunted, Fort Fisher, That Is
Not only do Confederate soldiers haunt Fort Fisher (probably some Yankees as well), but also stories abound that a Confederate general does as well.
From Creepy NC.com.
Fort Fisher, an almost impregnable fortress finally fell to an attack of practically the entire Union fleet and the fact that Confederate General Bragg refused to help the fort. (Well, there was also the Union Army and the Naval Column.)
Confederate General W.H.C. Whiting was wounded and later died from complications of it in a Union prison. Reports have his spirit keeping a ghostly watch out to sea from the fort's remaining parapets.
Whiting did not have to be at the fort during the attack Jan. 13-15, 1865, but came anyway, saying to the fort's commander, Col. William Lamb, "Lamb, my boy. I have come to share your fate."
He was born in Mississippi and graduated West Point at the top of his class and was once also a division commander in the Army of Northern Virginia.
During the hand-to-hand fighting after Union forces gained entrance into the fort, at one point he was called upon to surrender and replied, "Go to hell!!." I've also heard his words were, "Go to hell you Yankee bastards."
Stories are that you can see his ghost on the parapets at dusk.
That About Boos Up the Story. --Old B-Runner
Friday, October 21, 2011
If It's Halloween, It Must Be Fort Fisher
From the Encore Online. Wilmington's Alternative Newspaper.
A "Spooktacular" planned at the old fort by the Fort Fisher State Recreation Team this Saturday, Oct. 21st. Include will be true ghost stories, gory games, hayrides, trick-or-treating and lots of other activities.
For those of you wanting a little more scare for your buck, there is the hour-long 3rd Annual Ghost Walk along trails normally closed to the public.
One ghost often seen is a Confederate guard.
A ranger at the park was locking up when she had a strange sensation that she was being watched. When getting into her car, she saw a "man in blue pants" walking toward her. He disappeared when she shone her flashlight his way.
Also, there is the famous Fort Fisher Hermit who occupied a World War II bunker for many years until he turned up mysteriously murdered in 1972.
Too Spooky for Me. --Old B-Runner
A "Spooktacular" planned at the old fort by the Fort Fisher State Recreation Team this Saturday, Oct. 21st. Include will be true ghost stories, gory games, hayrides, trick-or-treating and lots of other activities.
For those of you wanting a little more scare for your buck, there is the hour-long 3rd Annual Ghost Walk along trails normally closed to the public.
One ghost often seen is a Confederate guard.
A ranger at the park was locking up when she had a strange sensation that she was being watched. When getting into her car, she saw a "man in blue pants" walking toward her. He disappeared when she shone her flashlight his way.
Also, there is the famous Fort Fisher Hermit who occupied a World War II bunker for many years until he turned up mysteriously murdered in 1972.
Too Spooky for Me. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Looking for the CSS Nashville
From the Oct. 17th Civil War Daily Gazette
Octiber 17, 1861, Thursday
The US Navy thought the two Confederate envoys, John Slidell and James Mason had boarded the CSS Nashville for their trip out of Charleston Harbor. The USS James Adger and USS Curlew were dispatched to intercept it. The Curlew was short on coal and turned back, but the Adger went all the way to England pursuing the Nashville.
The USS Connecticut was sent to Bermuda to gather any information it could on the Nashville and then to return to the New York Naval Yard if nothing could be found.
Meanwhile, Mason and Slidell were already in Cuba, arriving on the Theodora. Before reaching Havana, however, the coal supply was short and a stop was made in Cardenas, 100 miles to the east. The Theodora was accompanied by a Spanish steamer at this juncture, having helped guide the blockade-runner through the waters around the Bahamas.
There was a delay because the papers of clearance were for Havana and not Cardenas. During the day, Mason and Slidell landed.
By the time the two got to Havana, they found that they had just missed a ship bound for England by a day. The next ship going there was not set to leave for three weeks.
Missed It By [] Much. --Old B-R'er
Octiber 17, 1861, Thursday
The US Navy thought the two Confederate envoys, John Slidell and James Mason had boarded the CSS Nashville for their trip out of Charleston Harbor. The USS James Adger and USS Curlew were dispatched to intercept it. The Curlew was short on coal and turned back, but the Adger went all the way to England pursuing the Nashville.
The USS Connecticut was sent to Bermuda to gather any information it could on the Nashville and then to return to the New York Naval Yard if nothing could be found.
Meanwhile, Mason and Slidell were already in Cuba, arriving on the Theodora. Before reaching Havana, however, the coal supply was short and a stop was made in Cardenas, 100 miles to the east. The Theodora was accompanied by a Spanish steamer at this juncture, having helped guide the blockade-runner through the waters around the Bahamas.
There was a delay because the papers of clearance were for Havana and not Cardenas. During the day, Mason and Slidell landed.
By the time the two got to Havana, they found that they had just missed a ship bound for England by a day. The next ship going there was not set to leave for three weeks.
Missed It By [] Much. --Old B-R'er
USS San Jacinto
The USS Jacinto was a wooden screw steamship commissioned in 1851 and mounting six guns that was out seeking the Sumter. It spent a lot of its career chasing after Confederate raiders.
Earlier it had been off Wilmington, NC, on blockade duty.
After seeking the Sumter, commanded by Raphael Semmes, unsuccessfully, it had stopped at Cienfuegos, Cuba, for coal.
After the Trent Affair, it later chased after Semmes again, this time while he commanded the CSS Alabama. First it was off the coast of Nova Scotia. When it was found the Alabama had gone to the Caribbean, the San Jacinto followed and a period of hide-and-seek between the two ships took place.
The San Jacinto finally caught up with the Confederate raider at Fort Royal, Martinique, but the Alabama managed to slip out.
Much of 1863 was spent looking for another raider, the CSS Florida.
Setting the Stage for the Trent. --Old B-Runner
Earlier it had been off Wilmington, NC, on blockade duty.
After seeking the Sumter, commanded by Raphael Semmes, unsuccessfully, it had stopped at Cienfuegos, Cuba, for coal.
After the Trent Affair, it later chased after Semmes again, this time while he commanded the CSS Alabama. First it was off the coast of Nova Scotia. When it was found the Alabama had gone to the Caribbean, the San Jacinto followed and a period of hide-and-seek between the two ships took place.
The San Jacinto finally caught up with the Confederate raider at Fort Royal, Martinique, but the Alabama managed to slip out.
Much of 1863 was spent looking for another raider, the CSS Florida.
Setting the Stage for the Trent. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
CSS Sumter
The USS San Jacinto under Captain Charles Wilkes had been searching for the Confederate cruiser Sumter and at Cuba when he learned that the Confederate commissioners Slidell and Mason were in Havana. he waited off the coast until the RMS Trent left with them aboard and so began the international incident.
Wikipedia
The CSS Sumter was originally built in Philadelphia in 1859 as the merchant ship Habana. It was purchased by the Confederate government in New Orleans in April 1861 and converted into a cruiser. renamed the Sumter and under the command of Rahael Semmes, it slipped through the blockade in late June, capturing eight US-flagged ships off Cuba and two more near Brazil.
In September and October, it captured two more in Caribbean waters.
So, that was Why Wilkes Was Near Cuba. --Old B-R'er
Wikipedia
The CSS Sumter was originally built in Philadelphia in 1859 as the merchant ship Habana. It was purchased by the Confederate government in New Orleans in April 1861 and converted into a cruiser. renamed the Sumter and under the command of Rahael Semmes, it slipped through the blockade in late June, capturing eight US-flagged ships off Cuba and two more near Brazil.
In September and October, it captured two more in Caribbean waters.
So, that was Why Wilkes Was Near Cuba. --Old B-R'er
CSS Nashville
Union authorities believed Confederate commissioners John Slidell and James Mason had left Charleston aboard the CSS Nashville which is why ships were sent to look for her. Mason and Slidell had originally considered taking the Nashville, but had canceled their plans when word got out and taken the Theodora instead.
From Wikipedia.
The CSS Nashvillewas originally the USMS Nashville (US Mail Service Ship), built in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (obviously, a lot of ships built there) in 1853.
During the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the Nashville blundered into Charleston harbor without flying the US flag and was accidentally fired upon by the USRC Harriet Lane, the first shots of the Naval war.
The Nashville was later seized by Confederates and fitted out as a cruiser under Lt. Robert Pegram, CSN. It ran the blockade of Charleston October 21, 1861, and sailed directly to Southampton, England, where it became the first to fly the Confederate flag in English waters.
That did not end its naval career, however.
Perhaps Mason and Slidell Should Have Taken the Nashville Anyway. then There Would Not Have Been the Trent Affair. --Old B-Runner
From Wikipedia.
The CSS Nashvillewas originally the USMS Nashville (US Mail Service Ship), built in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (obviously, a lot of ships built there) in 1853.
During the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the Nashville blundered into Charleston harbor without flying the US flag and was accidentally fired upon by the USRC Harriet Lane, the first shots of the Naval war.
The Nashville was later seized by Confederates and fitted out as a cruiser under Lt. Robert Pegram, CSN. It ran the blockade of Charleston October 21, 1861, and sailed directly to Southampton, England, where it became the first to fly the Confederate flag in English waters.
That did not end its naval career, however.
Perhaps Mason and Slidell Should Have Taken the Nashville Anyway. then There Would Not Have Been the Trent Affair. --Old B-Runner
Monday, October 17, 2011
In the Meantime, Looking for the Confederate Commissioners
When Confederate commissioners Slidell and Mason arrived in Havana, the USS San Jacinto, commanded by Captain Charles Wilkes, put into the Cuban town of Cienfuegos while searching for the Confederate cruiser Sumter.
When he learned of the Theodora's arrival, he hurried around Cuba to capture the ship, but arrived a day after the ship left. But, Slidell and Mason were still there and awaiting transportation to England on the Trent.
His wait paid off and he stopped the Trent and seized the two on November 8th, setting off quite an international incident.
Not Nice of Wilkes. --Old B-R'er
When he learned of the Theodora's arrival, he hurried around Cuba to capture the ship, but arrived a day after the ship left. But, Slidell and Mason were still there and awaiting transportation to England on the Trent.
His wait paid off and he stopped the Trent and seized the two on November 8th, setting off quite an international incident.
Not Nice of Wilkes. --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
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
Friday, October 14, 2011
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
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 2
James Mason and John Slidell now even considered journeying to Mexico to embark on their trans-Atlantic journey. But then, they found the Gordon, a 500-ton sidewheel steamer, which had already run the blockade several times and was under the capable command of Captain Thomas J. Lockwood.
It was not, however, big enough to go directly to England, so the two men who have to go to Havana, Cuba, and get another ship to get across the Atlantic. At least, this part of the trip would be on a neutral ship.
Should a neutral ship be stopped by the US Navy and mason and Slidell taken off, this would cause an international incident.
On October 9th, the Gordon was chartered for $10,000 and its name changed to Theodora (probably because it had also previously been a privateer). The Confederate envoys boarded it on the night of October 11th. Slidell also had his wife and four children with him and his secretary had his whole family along as well.
At 1 am, the following morning, the Theodora exited Charleston Harbor in the rain and clouds and passed within a mile and a half of one Union ship and was on its way to Havana. mason and Slidell were on their way to a date with history when they were stopped on the British ship Trent.
Really Running the Blockade. --Old B-Runner
It was not, however, big enough to go directly to England, so the two men who have to go to Havana, Cuba, and get another ship to get across the Atlantic. At least, this part of the trip would be on a neutral ship.
Should a neutral ship be stopped by the US Navy and mason and Slidell taken off, this would cause an international incident.
On October 9th, the Gordon was chartered for $10,000 and its name changed to Theodora (probably because it had also previously been a privateer). The Confederate envoys boarded it on the night of October 11th. Slidell also had his wife and four children with him and his secretary had his whole family along as well.
At 1 am, the following morning, the Theodora exited Charleston Harbor in the rain and clouds and passed within a mile and a half of one Union ship and was on its way to Havana. mason and Slidell were on their way to a date with history when they were stopped on the British ship Trent.
Really Running the Blockade. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, October 13, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Swords from Battle of Mobile Bay in Question-- Part 3
I came across this article from the Sept. 28th 41 WMGT NBC News "Cannonball House Could Involve Bibb County DA in Legal Battle Over Civil War Heirlooms."
Michael Dunn, said that the Cannonball House showed a "lack of good stewardship" when he discovered that some relics, including a Civil War-era picture, two Southern Crosses of Honor and 1912 Veterans Reunion Pins of his great-grandparents were lost when he asked for them back.
Attorneys for the Friends of the Cannonball House say that is Dunn doesn't return the items he has, that they will take it to the District Attorney.
I Have to Admit That I Am a Bit Confused About All This. --Old B-R'er
Michael Dunn, said that the Cannonball House showed a "lack of good stewardship" when he discovered that some relics, including a Civil War-era picture, two Southern Crosses of Honor and 1912 Veterans Reunion Pins of his great-grandparents were lost when he asked for them back.
Attorneys for the Friends of the Cannonball House say that is Dunn doesn't return the items he has, that they will take it to the District Attorney.
I Have to Admit That I Am a Bit Confused About All This. --Old B-R'er
Swords from Battle of Mobile Bay in Question-- Part 2
In the past year, Michael Dunn has obtained Mumphrey's sword, sash and a photo of him in uniform. He was also given Jouett's sword, but it turned out to be someone else's.
Dunn, 62, says that the other items, including a Confederate Veterans reunion flag, reunion pins and wartime documents are in horrible condition.
He wants the items appraised and then plans to sell Murphrey's sword to an institution that will properly care for it and then donate the monet back to the Cannonball House. Confederate swords regularly sale for big bucks, especially one with this history.
His wife, Lee, a past Cannonball House board member, said, "We are quite baffled" at having to sue to get their items back. Their attorney, Lin Wood, of Chicago doesn't know the exact value of Murphrey's sword, but figures it to be under six figures. Jouett's sword is estimated to be worth $500.
It sounds to me like the Cannonball House is undergoing some financial and support issues, unfortunately. That seems to be more and more common in privately funded museums. I went to their website and there is a pop-up that blocks it. That is not a good indicator.
Let's Hope This Gets Straightened Out. --Old B-Runner
Dunn, 62, says that the other items, including a Confederate Veterans reunion flag, reunion pins and wartime documents are in horrible condition.
He wants the items appraised and then plans to sell Murphrey's sword to an institution that will properly care for it and then donate the monet back to the Cannonball House. Confederate swords regularly sale for big bucks, especially one with this history.
His wife, Lee, a past Cannonball House board member, said, "We are quite baffled" at having to sue to get their items back. Their attorney, Lin Wood, of Chicago doesn't know the exact value of Murphrey's sword, but figures it to be under six figures. Jouett's sword is estimated to be worth $500.
It sounds to me like the Cannonball House is undergoing some financial and support issues, unfortunately. That seems to be more and more common in privately funded museums. I went to their website and there is a pop-up that blocks it. That is not a good indicator.
Let's Hope This Gets Straightened Out. --Old B-Runner
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