Posted inBiographical Maritime & Naval History US Civil War

July 5, 1861 – Death of Commander Ward

The death, by a ball from a rebel rifle, of Commander James H. Ward, of the U. S. Navy, made a mournful impress upon the faces of our citizens, yesterday. He was a native of this city and son of the late Col. James H. Ward, and well known to many of our older residents. He was commander of the Thomas Freeborn, a government steamer on the Potomac, and had superintended an expedition from his own vessel to erect a battery, when the rebels, in large numbers, suddenly emerged from the woods, and poured in a volley. Capt. Ward covered the retreat of his men, so far us possible, with his guns, and was shot through the breast with a rifle ball while in the act of discharging one of his pieces. He died an hour later, falling on the deck of Ins own vessel while discharging his whole duty lo his country.

Posted inUS Civil War

July 2, 1861 – The Federal Troops Driven from Mathias Point

Thomas Freeborn during the Mathias Point engagement, firing at Confederates on the shore.

WASHINGTON, June 28.

The Pawnee arrived at the Navy Yard this morning, bringing intelligence from Mathias Point According to a statement of persons in the expedition, Capt. Ward, of the Freeborn, yesterday obtained from the Pawnee a reinforcement of about twenty men, and united with others from his own vessel, comprising between thirty and forty men in all. They started in several cutters for Mathias Point, taking with them about two hundred bags, which were filled with sand on the shore, and with which breastworks were soon erected.

Whilst on returning to the Freeborn to obtain cannon for the battery, a force of the Confederate troops variously estimated at from 1,200 to 1,500, suddenly emerged from thick woods, where they were concealed, and poured a volley of shot into the party, who made a hasty retreat. Several of the men jumped into the water, swimming to the Freeborn. Capt. Ward protected the men as far as possible, firing twelve or fifteen shots among the rebels, but the effect could not be ascertained.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 23, 1861 – Naval Engagement – Gallant and Daring Chase of a Federal Steamer

On Sunday evening, about 7 o’clock, while the Confederate steamer Empire was engaged in reconnoitering the enemy’s works at Newport News, Captain Parrish discovered the Federal steamer Cataline, some distance off and under headway for Old Point. Chase was immediately given, and when within a few miles of Hampton Creek, the Empire fired two shots, one of which is believed to have taken effect on the Cataline and but for the proximity of the Cumberland frigate, which promptly opened her battery to stop the chase, the Cataline would in all probability have fallen into our hands.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 9, 1861 – The First Charleston Prize

Confederate privateer Savannah
The Confederate States privateer Savannah, letter of marque No. 1, captured off Charleston, by the U. S. brig Perry, Lieut. Parrott.”

We learn on direct and reliable authority that a valuable prize has been secured by the Privateer Savannah, which left this port a few days ago between the bars of the Lincoln blockade.

This prize was the brig Joseph, of Portland, (Me.) from Havana, for Philadelphia, with a cargo of sugar, valued at $30,000, and was taken into Georgetown, South Carolina, in masterly style.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

May 20, 1861 – Capture of a Submarine Boat

Brutus de Villeroi's first submarine boat seized by the government at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1861.

Brutus de Villeroi’s first submarine boat seized by the government at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1861.

Quite an excitement was created in Philadelphia on Friday morning by the seizure of a submarine boat, the invention of De Villeroi, a Frenchman. It was going down the river and struck on an island. Four men were found on board. Villeroi says he was about taking it to the Navy Yard to test ; but the others of the yard disclaim any knowledge of him. The boat was constructed some time since for raising wrecks and other submarine work, but was never put in active use. It is segar-shaped and made of iron, thirty feet long. It supplies its own air, and will be useful in running under a fleet.

Posted inDaily News

Encouragement for the Rum Trade

The rum dealers, says the Worcester (Mass.) Transcript, have one good customer left. The Government, we perceive, has advertised for sixty thousand gallons! for the navy alone. American Republican and Baltimore Daily…
Posted inUS Civil War

April 23, 1861 – Pawnee Honors Mount Vernon

USS Pawnee

A letter written on board the United States sloop-of-war Pawnee, recently dispatched on foreign service, records this touching incident:

“In passing down the Potomac river, and arriving opposite Mount Vernon, a beautiful and graceful tribute was paid to the sacred remains that lie entombed in that hallowed spot. All hands were called, officers in swords and epaulets, sailors in their neat uniform, the fine guard of the Pawnee drawn up, with belt and musket ; at a given signal the large American ensign fell at half-mast, the ship’s bell tolled out its muffled tones, the melancholy drums rolled their funeral salute, while the presented arms and uncovered heads of officers and men paid a sad tribute of respect to him who was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen;” and so the Pawnee passed on silent and mourning, for he by whose grave she glided was the Father of his Country—a country scarcely a lifetime old ; yet the children of the second generation are ready to tear it to pieces, and with its ruins hide forever from the eye of men that grave and all the deeds which make it so famous in the world.