Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

November 27, 1861 – Sailing of the Stone Fleet

The Stone Fleet, showing numerous sailing vessels clustered together on the sea.

The stone fleet, not, however, with pomp or banners sailed from New London, Ct., Nov. 20th. Twelve or fifteen vessels departed from this port, all bound south and all laden with stone. The crafts were old whalers, some of the largest size, but a hard-looking set. They have spent their lives nudging the icebergs, and have been industrious in their vocation of seeking material to illuminate the world and to make life tolerable at night to those who slept not. An immense quantity of midnight oil have they gathered in their day. They go now to illustrate the ideas of commerce which prevail in the darker portion, girt with sandbars, of our disturbed republic.

Posted inUS Civil War

November 25, 1861 – Kentucky Army Letter

CAMP NEVIN, KY., November 21, ’61.

Editors Press—I was yesterday, through a fair friend, furnished with a copy of the Daily Press, and I write to tell you that the contents of its pages were devoured with avidity and a wholesome relish by your correspondent, and then passed from one to an other among his comrades; and to request you to remind the folks at home that newspapers are the most welcome visitors at camp after bread and blankets.

Speaking of blankets, it appears to us here, that the ladies of Louisville and vicinity have been more generous, and have used greater efforts to supply the soldiers with blankets and under clothing than the people of any other section, the Government itself not excepted. In coming to this conclusion we may be wrong, but we are open to conviction. Yesterday three boxes arrived that had been sent by these ladies, containing blankets, shirts, socks and drawers—fifty of each. Of course these did not supply half of our wants, but the soldiers upon receiving them rejoiced and manifested great delight, not at the prospect of the comfort they would afford, but from the knowledge of the fact that others felt for them in their trials and sufferings; and the universal exclamation of the men was, “God bless the ladies of Louisville!”

Posted inEngineering Iron & Steam

Electro-Magnetic Telegraph

We understand that the business of the electro-magnetic telegraph between Washington and this city, since it became a branch of the Post Office Department, has far exceeded expectation. The correspondence between the merchants of the two cities, we are informed, is constantly carried on by means of this important invention; and we learn that it is frequently the case that orders, received here at 1 o’clock, P. M. from Washington, are filled and the goods placed in the freight train of cars at 3 o’-clock tho same afternoon, at which hour the reception of heavy goods ceases for the day. Orders for small packages, received at half-past 4, are attended to promptly, and the goods forwarded by the passengers train which leaves here at 5 o’clock, and reaches Washington at half past 7 o’clock.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

November 22, 1861 – The Capture of Our Ministers to France and England

The San Jacinto Stopping the Treat. Shows a warship firing a warning shot across the bow of a sidewheel steamer.

We are still without full details of this capture of our Ministers, Messrs. Mason and Slidell, but are able to supply a few additional particulars:

The vessel from which they were taken, is the British mail steamer Trent. This steamer when only one day out from Havana, on her voyage to England, was arrested by the U. S. Screw Frigate, San Jacinto. The particular circumstances of the removal of Messrs. Mason and Slidell from her decks, we do not know, save that it was by exhibition of force against protest. These gentlemen and their attaches were then brought to Fortress Monroe, which place they reached on the 16th.—The next day they were started to New York, which city they probably reached on Monday last.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

November 21, 1861 – A Springfield Boy at Port Royal

From the Springfield (Mass.) Republican.

The following letter from John L. Barnes [Editor’s Note: actually John Sanford Barnes, not L.], an officer on the flag ship Wabash of the great naval expedition, to his friends in this city, will be read with interest by his numerous friends at home:

United States Ship Wabash,
Port Royal, Monday, Nov. 11.

You have already heard of our glorious success here and the complete discomfiture of the chivalry of the state which has mainly brought about our present difficulties. The expedition was swarming with reporters, and their accounts will give you full particulars. It is as you may well imagine, nothing but work—work from early morning until late at night, and sometimes all night. I have hardly time to write you more than that I am well, and thankful for the protection of Almighty God, thrown around us during the battle.

Posted inDaily News Maritime & Naval History

Stolen Boots

Ship Deserter Locked up.

At the City Police Court, before Mr. G. P. M. Murray, P.M., and Messrs. D. Gallway, T. H. Cowl, and J. J. Banks, JJ.P., on Wednesday, Thomas Murray, on remand, who gave himself up tor stealing a pair of boots, saying he had deserted from the ship Glenburn and wished to be locked up, was again before the bench.

Subinspector Burke prosecuted.

Posted inUS Civil War

November 20, 1861 – Camp Correspondence from the 1st WI

Camp Sherman, near Jeffersonville, Ind., November 14, 1861.

Friend Lute :—I hasten to inform you that the “Bloody First” has, within the last half hour, received marching orders. We are ordered to strike out tents at 8 o’clock, A. M.; to march at nine.—Our destination is doubtless some point below, as we are to go on board a steamer. The alarm drum beat fifteen minutes before twelve, and in less than five minutes the regiment was in line. You may calculate that the boys “scadadled” out of their nests in a hurry.—Each man is to receive 30 rounds of cartriges and two day’s rations; so we are to move some distance.