Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

December 8, 1861 – The Fight With the Rebel Steamer Patrick Henry

CSS Patrick Henry, showing a sidewheel steamer under steam through the water.

(From the Norfolk Day Book, Dec. 3.)

For some days past two or three of the federal gunboats have been in the habit of running up James river five or six miles above Newport News each evening, and remaining there all night. What the object of this is unknown, unless it may have been to keep a watch on the movements of the Confederate steamer Patrick Henry. These gunboats on Sunday evening repelled this same manouvre, and on yesterday morning the Patrick Henry got under way from her position further up James river and came down. On seeing her the gunboats left immediately and put out down the river towards the blockading ships. The Patrick Henry continued her chase after them, and they ran in under the protection of the guns of the frigates Cumberland and Congress and the fort at Newport News.

Posted inUS Civil War

December 2, 1861 – Applications for Passes

Among the regularly recurring incidents of the present state of affairs here, few strike the passer-by with more force than the very large crowd that gathers, on each Monday morning, at the door of the military headquarters, on St. Asaph street, opposite the Post Office. Hundreds of people wait there for hours for “passes,” making the sidewalk impassable for a considerable distance. Men, women and children—white, black and mulatto—all form a compact mass which collects about nine o’clock, increases until about ten, and then gradually diminishes until the last applicant is heard, the “pass” granted or refused, and then all is quiet as before.

Posted inUS Civil War

November 30, 1861 – The Eastern Virginia Expedition

Confirmation of the Peaceful victory of General Lockwood—Nine Cannon Captured—Preparations for Annexation to Maryland

After passing Newtown the military force met with various obstructions in the road, consisting of the destruction of bridges and the felling of trees across the road. Some were easily marched around and others quickly removed. The first earthwork they encountered was this side of Oak Hill, prepared for four guns, hut none were mounted, and there was no force visible anywhere.

Between Oak Hill amd Drummondtown another battery was encountered, on which eight guns were mounted, but it was entirely deserted. There was also another earthwork about eight miles beyond Drummondtown, which was likewise deserted.

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.

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October 22, 1861 – Battle Near Leesburg

Death of Col. Edward D. Baker at the Battle of Ball's Bluff, by Currier and Ives

Yesterday morning five companies of the 15th Massachusetts regiment crossed the river at Edwards’ Ferry, and had advanced to within one mile and a half of Leesburg, when they were met by the 14th Mississippi regiment, and compelled to retreat to the Ferry. At the same lime, another portion of Gen. Stone’s command crossed at Harrison’s Island. During the day, much skirmishing took place, and it is said that the Federal troops advanced to within a mile and a half of Leesburg. At 5 o’clock last evening, however, the Confederates, in large force, attacked the right of the column, which numbered eighteen hundred men, and was commanded by Col. Baker, U. S. Senator from California. Col. Baker fell, and his command sustained a, repulse, and fell back with considerable loss.