The Naval History Of The Civil War.

Admiral David D. Porter...

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To The Regular Officers, The Patriotic Volunteers And The Brave Sailors And Marines Of The Navy

This book is respectfully inscribed, with the hope that it will remind those still living of the many thrilling scenes through which they passed from 1861 to 1865, and also assure them that the author is still alive to the great services they all performed, the sacrifices they made, and the small rewards that were received by those who so steadfastly fought an intelligent foe that this union might be preserved to Millions yet unborn....

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Preface

The Naval incidents of the War of 1812 with Great Britain are better understood to-day by the great mass of American readers than are the naval incidents of the Civil War between the northern and seceding States, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. In the War of 1812 half a dozen frigates and a dozen sloops of war on the ocean, and Three small squadrons on the lakes, made up about the sum total of our Navy afloat when the war commenced, and those vessels performed such marvelous exploits, considerin

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Organization Of The Navy Department.— Blockade-Runners, Etc

At the outbreak of the great rebellion our Navy was not in a condition to render that assistance which the occasion demanded; the larger portion of it was employed on foreign stations, and the Government had not at its disposal a class of vessels that could enter Southern ports and act offensively. Had a proper naval force existed at the time the Southern people First proposed to throw off their allegiance to the Union, there would have been less difficulty in suppressing the efforts of the Sece

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Bombardment And Fall Of Fort Sumter.— Destruction Of The Norfolk Navy Yard By The Federal Officers

At Thirty minutes past 4 o'clock, on April 12, 1861, the First gun of civil war was fired, the battery on James Island discharging the First howitzer shell, which fell inside Fort Sumter, blowing up a building; this was almost immediately followed by another shell, which scattered destruction all around. Fort Moultrie then took up the assault, and in another moment the guns from the gun battery on Cummings Point, from Captain McCready's battery, from Captain James Hamilton's Floating battery, th

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Closing Of Southern Ports.— Increase Of The Navy.— List Of Vessels And Their Stations.— Purchased Vessels.— Vessels Constructing, Etc

The Navy Department, with its lim. ited resources, had a weighty task imposed upon it from the very outbreak of the civil war. In a very brief period the rebellion assumed such formidable proportions, and naval operations had to be maintained on such an extensive scale to include over Three thousand miles of coast line, that the energy and ability of the naval authorities were put to the severest tests. First. There was the closing of all the ports along our Southern coast under the most exactin

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Death Of Ellsworth.— Capture Of Alexandria, Va.— Potomac Flotilla

At the commencement of the war, many wild conjectures were made as to its duration, and many of those who had hitherto stood high in the nation's opinion, were listened to anxiously, as if on their views depended the life and safety of the country, but as the war went on it was seen that the wisest statesmen and the ablest soldiers were at fault. Indeed, as events multiplied, the question of the Republic's future baffled all human ingenuity. That which all men predicted did not come to pass, and

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Capture Of The Works At Hatteras Inlet By Flag Officer Stringham.— Destruction Of The Privateer Judah Destruction Of The Privateer Schooner Judah

It was evident to any One who had studied the subject, that the United States Government could make no headway against the Confederates while the seaports and their defences remained in the hands of the latter. From the beginning President Lincoln had boldly avowed his purpose to regain possession of all the Southern ports and harbors. A board of eminent civilians and naval officers had been convened by the Navy Department to consider the whole subject, and report upon the best means of approach

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Naval Expedition Against Port Royal And Capture Of That Place Fort Walker

Owing to the increase of the Confederate forces in the States of Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri, it became necessary to fit out armed vessels on the Western rivers. In May, 1861, Commander John Rodgers, U. S. N., was directed to report to the War Department, which in the early stages of the conflict practically assumed the control of the Western flotilla, although the vessels were under command of naval officers. Commander Rodgers proceeded at once to the West and purchased a number of river s

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The Trent Affair

One of the First orders issued to naval officers in command afloat, should have been One instructing them particularly with regard to neutral obligations. But this was not done; the Navy Department taking it for granted that every cormmander would be well posted in International Law, and would not fail to ask instructions on such matters when doubts were involved. This want of a proper precaution came very near precipitating the United States into a war with Great Britain, at a time when it was

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Capture Of Fernandina And The Coast South Of Georgia

As soon as Flag-officer Dupont could find the time, he sent the smaller gunboats in different directions to reconnoitre the enemy's positions up the river and along the coast. The larger vessels were sent to perform blockade duty, which at that moment, owing to the paucity of vessels, was very arduous. Commander John Rodgers was sent with the Seneca and Paulina to examine the enemy's defences on Tybee Island, in the Savannah River, and ascertained that all the works in that quarter had been aban

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Operations Of Admiral Dupont's Squadron In The Sounds Of South Carolina

Short references have been made to the various duties performed by Admiral Dupont's officers on the coast and in the Sounds of South Carolina, the writer not deeming that the limits of this work would permit of a more extended account of the operations of the South Atlantic Squadron. These operations show not only a desire to meet the enemy on all occasions, but a wise forethought on the part of Admiral Dupont regarding the ultimate use which the possession of certain points would be to the gove

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Naval Engagement At South-West Pass.— The Gulf Blockading Squadron In November, 1861

It would be a pleasant task to be able to record nothing but successes and have no defeats checked against us; but that could not very well be unless we admitted that our enemy was deficient in all the qualities which distinguish the American soldier and sailor, and that we gained our victories easily because we had no One of any courage, energy or ability to contend with. On the contrary, we had all these to meet us at every step; and our enemies, although men of the same stamp as ourselves, ha

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Goldsborough's Expedition To The Sounds Of North Carolina

Owing to the fact that the Commanding officer of the Hatteras expedition did not push the advantages he had gained by the capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark, in August, 1861, the victory was almost a barren One, with the exception of its moral effect and the recapture of many of the guns which had fallen into the hands of the Confederates. The principal entrances into the sounds of North Carolina were secured, but the Confederates had still the means not only of annoying the coast-wise commerce

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Fight Between The Merrimac And Monitor, March 8, 1862

While the Federal arms were so successful in the sounds of North Carolina, a great disaster overtook the Federal cause in Hampton Roads, filling the country with dismay, and even bringing many of the Union people to doubt the success of the cause for which they had labored so hard. When the Union naval officers set fire to the buildings of the Norfolk Navy Yard, they supposed they had taken such precautions that everything of value would be destroyed, but as soon as the Federals had departed a d

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Building A Navy On The Western Rivers.— Battle Of Belmont

To enable us to keep pace with the progress of events we must now turn our attention in another direction, and see what the Navy was doing in the western rivers. Early in 1862 the attention of the Navy Department was directed towards the West. The necessity of building gun-boats there to assist the Army in its operations had become evident to the dullest comprehension. There were more than Four thousand miles of navigable rivers, the control of which was absolutely necessary to the Federal Gover

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Battle And Capture Of Fort Henry By The Navy Secretary Welles To Flag-Officer Foote

Shortly after the Battle of Belmont the Confederates established a strong line of operations reaching to the centre of Kentucky. On their left was Columbus, where they had collected a strong force and 140 guns. One of their largest armies was at the junction of the Louisville and Nashville, and Memphis and Ohio Railroads (the northernmost point then held by the Confederates west of the Alleghany Mountains). These armies threatened Northern Kentucky and protected Nashville and Middle Tennessee. A

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Capture Of Fort Donelson And Battle Of Shiloh Battle Of Fort Donelson

On the 8th of February, 1862, Gen. Grant telegraphed to Gen. Halleck: “Fort Henry is ours; the gunboats silenced the batteries before the investment was completed. I shall take and destroy Fort Donelson on the 8th. and return to Fort Henry.” The same reasons which had induced Grant to undertake the capture of Fort Henry still urged him to take Fort Donelson; that is, to get the control of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and be able to penetrate into the heart of Tennessee with his troops and

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Operations On The Mississippi

When the gun-boats were obliged to drop down before the fire of the works at Fort Donelson, Flag-officer Foote proceeded to Cairo to repair some of his vessels, leaving behind him the iron-clads Louisville, Commander B. M. Dove, Carondelet, Commander Henry Walke, and the St. Louis. From all accounts the Carondelet seems to have suffered more than any other vessel in the fleet, both in killed and wounded and damage to her hull. Commander Dove, the senior officer present, reports on the 16th of Fe

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Evacuation Of Fort Pillow And Battle Of Memphis Charles, On The White River

After this river battle, Flag-officer Davis commenced a heavy and continuous bombardment of Fort Pillow, which lasted up to the 4th of June, and gave the enemy great annoyance, although he continued to reply with a constant and well-directed fire. But the Confederate guns were defective, and their shell often exploded before reaching the point intended to be struck. Davis determined to have no more surprises, and Two of the gun-boats were detailed to guard the mortar-rafts until evening, when th

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Capture Of Forts Jackson And St. Philip, And The Surrender Of New Orleans

On the 12th of November. 1861, President Lincoln ordered that a naval expedition should be fitted out for the capture of New Orleans. Captain David G. Farragut was detailed for the command of this expedition, with the title of Flag-officer. and efficient mortar flotilla was fitted out under Com. David D. Porter, and attached to the force. Besides the mortar vessels, there were in the flotilla Seven steamers to manage the former in the swift current of the Mississippi, and to aid them with their

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Battle Of The Forts And Capture Of New Orleans Philip

It is desirable in Some respects to make this a book of reference, especially in regard to official letters, which seldom or ever are seen by the public, the several reports of Admiral Farragut, also those of his officers, contain details of the battle at the forts, and of the capture of New Orleans, which can best be told by those who were participators in those stirring scenes, and they are appended to the general account of the battle. In the course of a few years these letters will become in

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A Brave Officer's Mortification.— History Set Right History Set Right

Admiral Farragut says in a communication made in April, 1869: “Historians are not always correct; for my own part, I maintain the conviction that whatever errors may be made by the hands of historians and others, posterity will always give justice to whom justice is due.” This is true, and in no case has it been more clearly demonstrated than in that of Admiral Farragut himself, who reaped the highest honors that could be won in the Navy, without a dissenting voice; and who, as time passes, will

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Capture Of New Orleans.— First Attack On Vicksburg By Farragut's Fleet And Mortar Flotilla.— Junction Of Flag-Officers Farragut And Davis Above Vicksburg.— Ram Arkansas Flag-Officer Farragut Reports The Necessity Of 12,000 To 15,000 Army Forces To Cooperate In The Taking Of Vicksburg

When Farragut passed the Chalmette batteries, and the vessel approached New Orleans, the city levee presented a scene of desolation. Ships, cotton, steamers and coal, were in a blaze and it looked as if the whole city was on fire. It required all the ingenuity of the Commanding officers to avoid coming in contact with the floating conflagration, and when the ships dropped anchor before the conquered city, Thousands of people crowded the shore, shouting and bidding defiance to the victorious inva

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Operations In The Potomac.— Destruction Of Confederate Batteries.— Losses By Shipwreck, In Battle, Etc

On the Potomac, the flotilla seems to have been actively employed from December, 1861, to May 2d, 1862. Although no important event occurred on this water highway to Washington, early in the war the Confederates left nothing undone to stop the passage of transports, and even men-of-war, but they were not very successful. Cockpit Point was One of the places made quite strong by the enemy, and for a time it was considered quite a dangerous place to pass. No persistent attack was made upon it until

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Destruction Of The Ram Arkansas.— Capture Of Galveston.— Capture Of The Harriet Lane.— Sinking Of The Hatteras.— Attack On Baton Rouge.— Miscellaneous Engagements Of The Gun-Boats

Up to the time of the escapade of the Ram Arkansas, a general idea has been given of the performances of Farragut's fleet. After leaving Rear-Admiral Davis and running the Vicksburg batteries, he proceeded down the river to New Orleans with the Hartford, Richmond, Brooklyn, Pinola and Kennebec. The old mortar fleet, which under Commander Porter had done such good service at Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and at Vicksburg, had been divided up and withdrawn from the Upper Mississippi, and the river

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Second Attack On Vicksburg, Etc

Rear-Admiral Porter took command of the Mississippi Squadron in October, 1862. Rear-Admiral Davis had ordered all the vessels except the Benton and the Carondelet up to Cairo for repairs, for what with being rammed and shaken up by constant firing of the guns, they required a thorough overhauling. There being at this moment no actual operations in progress, Rear-Admiral Porter devoted his attention to putting the vessels in thorough order, changing their batteries to Dahlgren guns, and adding a

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Capture Of Fort Hindman Or Arkansas Post

The expedition against Arkansas Post arrived at a point Four miles below the enemy's works, January 10th, 1863. The Army landed without delay at 10 A. M., and proceeded on their march to get in the rear of the enemy's works; but they had bad roads on which to travel and thick undergrowth to make their way through. Fifteen miles had to be marched over before the back of Arkansas Post could be reached, and the major part of the night was occupied in achieving their purpose. There were some extensi

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Siege Of Vicksburg

The Siege of Vicksburg may be said to have commenced January 26th, 1862, on which day the Army was landed at Young's Point, Seven miles above Vickburg, and at Milliken's Bend, Two or Three miles above Young's Point. This was rather a desperate movement, but there was no other alternative. When Sherman First came down with the gunboats in company, he did not start out with the idea that he was to undertake a siege, but that Vicksburg was to be taken by an unexpected attack. Time was an important

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Expedition Through Steele's Bayou And Deer Creek

About the time of the Yazoo Pass expedition, Lieutenant McLeod Murphy, U. S. N., discovered a pass through the woods some Ten miles above the mouth of the Yazoo, by which it was thought the gun-boats could reach the valley of Deer Creek, and, perhaps get into the Yazoo River by the Sunflower and Yallabusha, thereby reaching the rear of Vicksburg. The water in the Mississippi had risen remarkably, so much so that land usually dry for miles in the interior, now had Seventeen feet of water over it.

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Passage Of The Fleet By Vicksburg And Capture Of Grand Gulf.— Capture Of Alexandria, Etc

The Army had already moved on the 15th of April, 1863, and that night was selected for the naval vessels to pass the batteries of Vicksburg. Orders had been given that the coal in the furnaces should be well ignited, so as to show no smoke, that low steam should be carried, that not a wheel was to turn except to keep the vessel's bow down river, and to drift past the enemy's works Fifty yards apart. Most of the vessels had a coal barge lashed to them on the side away from the enemy, and the wood

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Siege Of Vicksburg— Continued [Detailed Report Of Acting-Rear-Admiral Porter.]

As the Army had marched from Bruensburg, and was well on the way to Vicksburg, Admiral Porter changed his station from Grand Gulf to the Flag-ship Black Hawk at the mouth of the Yazoo River, ready to co-operate with the Army the moment it should make its appearance in the rear of Vicksburg. Two iron-clads were left at the mouth of the Red River, blocking it up closely, which sealed the fate of Port Hudson. No more supplies would get to the Confederates from that quarter. One iron-clad was left a

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XXX.

After the surrender of Vicksburg, there was still much to be done in the vicinity, particularly in driving off the Confederates, who lingered on the banks of the Yazoo and fired on our small gun-boats as they patrolled that river. A report reached Vicksburg that General Joseph E. Johnston was fortifying Yazoo City, with the apparent intention of occupying that neighborhood with his Army. For this the region was well adapted, being rich in cattle and grain, “Hog and hominy.” It was also reported

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Operations Of Farragut's Vessels On The Coast Of Texas, Etc

While Flag-officer Farragut was engaged in the operations before Vicksburg, down to the time when he passed the batteries at Port Hudson, many events occurred in the fleet which have not been mentioned heretofore, as it could not have been done without interrupting the narrative of current events. Farragut's command up to May, 1863, included the Mississippi River as far as Vicksburg, and all its tributaries below; also the coasts of Louisiana, Florida and Texas, extending from Pensacola on the e

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Navy Department.— Energies Displayed.— Building Of Iron-Clads

When the civil war broke out, the Navy Department, like every other branch of the government, was totally unprepared for the event. The right of secession had been openly declared in the Senate and House of Representatives, and Southern members were daily leaving their seats; yet the Administration held back, and, deluded by Confederate sympathizers, sat still and looked on with dismay at the dismemberment of the country without seeming to take any steps to prevent it. No department of the gover

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Secretary Welles To Rear-Admiral Dupont

Operations commenced in January, 1863, by some of the vessels of Rear-Admiral Dupont's squadron capturing a large blockade-running steamer, which proved to be One of the most valuable prizes of the war. To show the nature of the blockading service, it may not be uninteresting to give an account of the capture of the above-mentioned vessel. On the morning of the 29th of January a blue light was observed from the U. S. S. Unadilla, Lieutenant-Commander S. P. Quackenbush, in an easterly direction,

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XXXIV.

As soon as Flag-officer Goldsborough received the news of the battle of the Monitor and Merrimac, he returned to Hampton Roads to superintend matters in that quarter, leaving Commander S. C. Rowan in charge of the sounds of North Carolina. The gallant service performed by Commander Rowan, in the capture of Newburn and Elizabeth City, has already been related, though complete justice has not been done to the officers and men who embarked in frail vessels never intended to go under the fire of a b

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Operations Of The North Atlantic Squadron, 1863

When Acting-Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee succeeded Rear-Admiral Goldsborough in the command of the North Atlantic squadron there was not much left to be done except keeping up a strict blockade of the coast and keeping the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds under subjection. All the naval force of the enemy between Norfolk and Howlet batteries had either been destroyed or made its escape to Richmond, enabling the Navy Department to decrease the large force kept in and about Hampton Roads. From September 1st

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Operations Of The South Atlantic Squadron Under Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, 1863.— Operations In Charleston Harbor, Etc

Rear-Admiral Dahlgren succeeded Rear-Admiral DuPont, at Port Royal, on July 4th, 1863, the latter having been relieved at his own request, owing to a difference of opinion between himself and the Secretary of the Navy in regard to the operations before Charleston and the attempt to take the Confederate works with the Monitors. Dahlgren had a difficult task before him. In the first place, he had relieved an officer who maintained as high a prestige as any in the Navy, at home and abroad, for skil

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Operations Of The East Gulf Squadron To October, 1863

Acting Rear-Admiral Theodorus Bailey was appointed to the command of the East Gulf squadron on the 4th of June, 1862. The Navy Department had found an opportunity to reward this gallant officer for his services at New Orleans, and although no important military or naval movements were going on within the limits of this command, it was the only way in which the Secretary of tile Navy could show his high appreciation of Bailey's gallantry and devotion to his country's service. The limits of this c

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Review Of The Work Done By The Navy In The Year 1863

A summary of the events of 1863 may serve to keep in mind the details of the several squadrons that were operating along a sea-coast of over 3,500 miles in extent, and in the Western rivers, a further distance of 4,000 miles. The harbors and indentations of the Atlantic coast, which afforded refuge for blockade-runners, or points for landing their munitions of war, amounted to at least 180 in number. Thus the Navy had to guard a line of coasts and rivers over 7,500 miles in extent, a task compar

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Miscellaneous Operations, Land And Sea.— Operations In The Nansemond, Cape Fear, Pamunky, Chucka Tuck And James Rivers.— Destruction Of Blockade-Runners.— Adventures Of Lieutenant Cushing, Etc

The year 1864 opened with flattering prospects for the Union cause, owing to the important successes gained over the enemy in 1863, and the constantly increasing losses in material by the Confederates in conse-quence of the stringent blockade of the coast. The Federal Navy had been so far strengthened with a class of vessels superior to anything of which the powers of Europe could boast, that it was no longer anticipated that England or France would interfere in our domestic affairs. The Battle

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XL.

From the time General Grant fixed his headquarters at City Point, the naval vessels in that vicinity, under Captain Melancton Smith, were employed in guarding the river or in co-operating with the Army in raids upon the enemy along the shores of the James and adjacent rivers. It was sufficiently evident that it was Grant's intention to envelop the enemy's works, destroy his communications, and cut off supplies. Military and naval expeditions were sent to destroy all grain-fields and other source

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The Red River Expedition, Under Major-General N. P. Banks, Assisted By The Navy Under Rear-Admiral David D. Porter

No official account detailing the particulars of this unfortunate expedition was forwarded by General Banks until long after the expedition failed. A question has been standing for many years as to who originated it, and this has been settled by the highest authority. General Grant, in his Memoirs, says that the expedition originated with General Halleck, who urged General Banks, with all his authority, to undertake it. This is, without doubt, the origin of the affair. After the Fall of Vicksbur

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Red River Expedition.— Continued

General Franklin had mentioned to Admiral Porter at Grand Ecore, on his stating that the naval vessels could not pass the Falls at the then stage of water, that Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey had suggested a plan of raising the water above the Falls by building wing-dams. Colonel Bailey had had great experience in lumbering, and had frequently resorted to this method to raft timber in shallow rivers. The Admiral paid little attention to this suggestion at the time, and expressed his doubts of the pra

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Operations Of The Mississippi Squadron, Under Admiral Porter, After The Red River Expedition

After the conclusion of the Red River expedition the fleet returned up the Mississippi to their old stations. Fortunately the guerillas had not taken advantage of the absence of the gun-boats to attack unarmed vessels passing up or down. Only One attempt was made— by a Confederate field-battery— to interfere with river navigation, and that One was unsuccessful. The different districts were soon under the supervision of their former commanders, and the people along the banks of the Mississippi we

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Battle Of Mobile Bay Description Of The Confederate Iron-Clad Tennessee

In January, 1864, Admiral Farragut began to turn his attention to the forts in Mobile Bay, which up to that time had been a complete protection to the blockade-runners, which passed in and out almost with impunity in spite of the greatest watchfulness on the part of the blockading fleet. There were several channels in the Bay with wide shoal grounds in and about their approaches, over which the Confederate light-draft vessels could pass, but where the Federal ships-of-war could not follow them.

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The Cruise Of The Sumter And The Havoc She Committed

In granting belligerent rights to the Confederates, the United States Government not only yielded the claim that the secessionists were merely armed insurgents, but also yielded the right to the latter to fit out cruisers to prey on Northern commerce, for it was impossible to prescribe a mode of warfare for the Confederates to adopt. This view was also taken by the leading nations of Europe, who gave in many instances all the aid and comfort to the Confederate cruisers it was possible to extend.

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The Adventures Of The Florida (Oreto) And Alabama. Engagement Between The Kearsarge And Alabama List Of Officers Of Confederate Steamer Alabama, June 25, 1864

There is no more interesting chapter in the history of the war than the account of the performances of those who commanded the cruisers that were sent forth by the Confederate Government to destroy the commerce of the Northern States. This commerce had long been the pride of the nation, and its white sails covered nearly every sea; but that it was poorly protected by the Government was well known to all the world, and it was predicted by those who thought seriously upon the subject that the day

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Operations Of South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Under Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, During Latter End Of 1863 And In 1864

On the 26th of October, 1863, General Gillmore opened fire upon Fort Sumter from his battery on Morris Island, his object being to complete the reduction of this work, drive out the garrison, and occupy it with Union troops. This, as a matter of sentiment, might have been a good move; but, as the Confederates still commanded Fort Sumter with the guns of Fort Moultrie and other batteries, they could have rendered the place untenable, as they did in the time of Colonel Anderson. But the Navy was d

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Potomac Flotilla. Increase Of The Navy, And Improvements In Naval Ships, During The Year 1864 Increase Of The Navy And Improvements In Naval Ships Up To December, 1864

The Potomac Flotilla during 1864 remained under the command of Commander Foxhall A. Parker, a valuable officer, who conducted the affairs of his little squadron with so much efficiency that he was enabled to carry out all the objects for which the flotilla was intended. The work of this department of the Navy was not brilliant, but it was useful. Besides the duties involved in patroling the Potomac, the Rappahannock River was added to Commander Parker's district. There was at One time an extensi

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First Attack On Fort Fisher.— Destruction Of The Confederate Ram Albemarle, Etc.

In a communication dated September 5, 1864, Mr. Secretary Welles states that, since the Winter of 1862, he had tried to obtain the co-operation of the War Department in a joint Army and Navy attack on the defences at the entrance of Cape Fear River, N. C. It seems the Secretary of War had decided that no troops could be spared for this purpose, and, in consequence, from small and unimportant works the huge fortification known as Fort Fisher had gradually arisen. These works bade defiance to any

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Second Attack On Fort Fisher List Of Officers Killed And Wounded During The Attack Upon Fort Fisher

The reader can imagine the disappointment in the North when the failure to take Fort Fisher was announced, and the numerous reports that were flying about must have considerably mystified the public. One said the whole expedition had gone back to Hampton Roads, and the chances were that, in the estimation of the public, the Navy should be consigned to oblivion. What an ignominious fate that would have been! However, the Admiral's equanimity was not in the least disturbed. He knew that this set-b

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Effects Of The Fall Of Fort Fisher, And Criticisms On General Badeau's Military History Of General Grant

There was a great deal of acrimony and recrimination growing out of the First attack on Fort Fisher. The “Committee on the conduct of the war” took the matter up, and it proved a feast for the politicians. General Butler, with strong political influence, had, of course, a host of supporters, and these flew to his assistance as soon as he returned from Fort Fisher, in the hope of finding some flaw in the armor of General Grant or Admiral Porter through which they could thrust their lances. Just a

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Operations About Charleston, 1865.— Fall Of Charleston, Savannah, Etc

In the latter part of November, 1864, Rear-Admiral Dahlgren received information that General Sherman had reached Milledgeville and was about to march upon Savannah. He accordingly entered into an arrangement with General Foster to co-operate with Sherman in case the latter might require assistance. It was decided to form a naval brigade, to be furnished with Two field-Howitzer batteries of Four guns each. All the forces that could be spared from the vessels on blockade were withdrawn, and the n

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Operations Of The West Gulf Squadron In The Latter Part Of 1864, And In 1865.— Joint Operations In Mobile Bay By Rear-Admiral Thatcher And General Canby Joint Operations In Mobile Bay By Rear-Admiral Thatcher And General Canby

Commodore James S. Palmer commanded the West Gulf Blockading Squadron up to the time Rear-Admiral Thatcher took command in the latter part of February or early part of March, 1865. After being relieved, he continued to give Rear-Admiral Thatcher that hearty and effective support that always distinguished him in his former commands under Admiral Farragut on the Mississippi and elsewhere, marking him as One of those cool and gallant men who perhaps in time of peace would not attract much attention

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Capture Of Richmond.— The Destruction Of The Confederate Fleet In The James River, Etc

The naval operations on the Southern coast having terminated, owing to the capture of the enemy's ports, the vessels-of-war were distributed to other points, leaving only a sufficient number of gun-boats to preserve the peace and protect the inhabitants against the depredations of deserters from the Confederate army, who were making their way home in large numbers, and like hungry wolves eating up everything which came in their way. Sherman's army on its march through the South has been compared

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Operations Of The Mississippi Squadron In The Latter Part Of 1864 And In 1865

Acting-rear-admiral. S. P. Lee, who followed Rear-Admiral Porter in October, 1864, in the command of the Mississippi Squadron, was not fortunate on his arrival in the West. On the 4th of November, Admiral Lee reports the loss of the “Tin-clad” gun-Boat Undine in an engagement with the Confederates on the Tennessee. The enemy had Seven pieces of artillery against the gun-boat's Four. On the 4th of November the light-draft gun-boats Towah, Key West and Elfin had a severe engagement with the enemy,

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Commerce-Destroyers.-Their Inception, Remarkable Career, And Ending

We have told the story of the Sumter and Alabama, and partly that of the Florida, which latter, after her escape from the Federal squadron off Pensacola, particularly the R. R. Cuyler, in January, 1863, commenced the business of destruction for which she was fitted out. In her First attempts at destruction the Florida was not particularly fortunate, for in the course of Ten days Captain Maffitt only succeeded in destroying Three small vessels. He then put into Nassau, where, it will be remembere

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The Ram Stonewall

The management of the agents of the Confederate Government abroad in supplying it with cruisers was very remarkable, and shows that the Confederacy was extremely fortunate in the selection of the officers thus employed. The agents not only succeeded in eluding the supposed vigilance of the authorities in England, but were even able to contract for Two powerful rams and Four corvettes in France to carry the most formidable guns then known. One of the cleverest of these officers, and, as far as we

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Conclusion

When the war ended, the United States had attained a position as a Naval power never before reached by the Republic, and could claim to be able to meet either France or England upon the ocean. Both of these nations had looked on with surprise at the rapid manner in which the Federal Government was adding to its Navy. If not anxious for the dissolution of the United States, both France and England were quick to throw their weight against it by proclamations, giving to the Confederates a character

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LIX.

Prizes adjudicated from the commencement of the rebellion to November 1, 1865, with the names of vessels or other material captured, and the names of vessels entitled to share in distribution of proceeds. No final decree. $5,708.32 awarded to claimants. $5,708.32 awarded to claimants. Taken by War Department. Not yet paid for. Waiting for prize list of Annie Williams. Distributed under acts of March 3, 1819, and August 5, 1861. Waiting for prize list of the Robb. Waiting for prize list of the Wa

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