UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES
OFFICIAL RECORDS
OF THE
IN THE
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
PUBLISHED UNDEK THE DIRECTION OF
The Hon. WILLIAM H. MOODY, Secretary of the Navy,
BY
MR. CHARLES W. STEWART,
Superintendent Library and Naval War Records.
BY AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JULY 31, 1894.
SERIES I— VOLUME 16.
SOUTH .A/nj^HSTTIC BLOCKADING- SQUADRON
FROM OCTOBER 1, 1864, TO AUGUST 8, 1865.
BLOCKADING- SQUADRON
FROM JUNE 7 TO DECEMBER 15, 1861.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1903.
7 « • •£ •
V. I
CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES.
VOLUME 1. Operations of the "cruisers from January 19, 1861, to December 31, 1862.
VOLUME 2. Operations of the cruisers from January 1, 1863, to March 31, 1864.
VOLUME 3. Operations of the cruisers from April 1, 1864, to December 30, 1865.
VOLUME 4.
Operations in the Gulf of Mexico from November 15, 1860, to June 7, 1861. Opera- tions on the Atlantic coast from January 1 to May 13, 1861. Operations on the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers from January 5 to December 7, 1861.
VOLUME 5.
Operations on the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers from December 7, 1861, to July 31, 1865. Operations of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron from April 4 to July 15, 1861.
VOLUME 6.
Operations of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron from July 16 to October 29, 1861. Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 29, 1861, to March 8, 1862.
VOLUME Y.
Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from March 8 to September
4, 1862.
VOLUME 8.
Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from September 5, 1862, to
May 4, 1863.
VOLUME 9.
Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from May 5, 1863, to May
5, 1864.
in
IV CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES.
VOLUME 10.
Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from May 6 to October
27, 1864.
VOLUME 11.
Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 28, 1864, to
February 1, 1865.
VOLUME 12.
Operations of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from February 2 to August 3, 1865. Operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 29, 1861, to May 13, 1862.
VOLUME 13.
Operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from May 14, 1862, to April
7, 1863.
VOLUME 14.
Operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from April 7 to September 30,
1863.
VOLUME 15.
Operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 1, 1863, to
September 30, 1864.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
List of illustrations ix
Preface xi
Order of compilation of Series I xv
List of vessels of South Atlantic Blockading Squadron xvn
List of vessels of the Gulf Blockading Squadron xx
Calendar xxi
South Atlantic Blockading Squadron: Principal events — Union reports —
Z/itish steamer Flora chased ashore at Fort Moultrie, October
22,1864 29-32
Operations of the naval brigade under Commander Preble, U. S.
Navy, in combined expedition for cutting the railroad near
Pocotaligo, S. C., November 27-December 30, 1864, including
the battles of Honey Hill and Tulifinny Crossroads 66-111
British steamer Beatrice chased ashore off Charleston, S. C.,
November 27, 1864 112-114
Communication established between South Atlantic Blockading
Squadron and Army of Major-General Sherman, near Savan- nah, Ga., December 12, 1864 126-131
Evacuation of Savannah announced December 21, 1864. . 137, 140-142, 363 Federal boats' crews captured at Charleston, S. C., December 22
and 31, 1864 138-141
U. S. S. Patapsco destroyed by torpedo in Charleston Harbor,
January 15, 1865 171-180
U. S. S. Dai Ching captured in Combahee River, South Caro-
. lina, January 26, 1865 190-200
U. S. S. Pawnee and other vessels engaged Confederate batteries
in Togodo Creek, South Carolina, February 9, 1865 *. 225-230
Federal naval operations in Stono and Folly rivers, February
9-14, 1865 230-237
Joint expedition to Bull's Bay, South Carolina, February 12-17,
1865 , 237-241
Steamer Deer captured at Charleston, S. C., February 18, 1865. . 253-255 Charleston, S. C., occupied by Federal naval forces February 18,
1865 257-259
Georgetown, S. .C., and Battery White occupied by Federal
naval forces, February 25, 1865 272-278
U. S. S. Harvest Moon destroyed by torpedo in Winyah Bay,
South Carolina, March 1, 1865 283-285, 371
Confederate steamer Amazon captured by U. S. S. Pontiac, in
Savannah River, March 2, 1865 284-286
Coast-Survey steamer Bibb injured by torpedo in Charleston
Harbor, March 17, 1865 295
VI TABLE OF CONTENTS.
South Atlantic Blockading Squadron — Continued. Page.
Principal events — Continued. Union reports — Continued.
United States flag raised on Fort Sumter, April 14, 1865 314-316
Arrival of President Davis, prisoner at Port Royal, S. C., May
16, 1865 333, 334
Rear-Admiral Dahlgren relieved of command of South Atlantic
Blockading Squadron 343, 347, 348, 374
Diary of Rear-Admirial Dahlgren from October 2, 1864, to June
17, 1865 t... 357-374
Reports and correspondence relating to obstructions and defenses
of Charleston Harbor 374-429
Detailed report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren regarding operations
of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron against defenses
of Charleston, S. C 429-455
Confederate reports —
Miscellaneous reports and correspondence, October 3, 1864, to
May 1, 1865 455-516
Reports and correspondence relating to obstructions and
defenses of Charleston Harbor 409-429
Evacuation of Savannah by naval forces 481-483, 487, 492, 502
Journal of Flag-Officer Hunter, C. S. Navy, December iO-25,
1864 485-488
Gulf Blockading Squadron : Principal events — Union reports —
Flag-Officer Mervine assumed command of Gulf Blockading
Squadron, June 7, 1861 530-532
British ship Perthshire seized June 9, 1861 534-540
Blockade of Apalachicola announced 532, 544
Prize vessels recaptured by Confederates, July 2, 1861 566-568
Engagement of Federal vessels with Confederate batteries on
Ship Island, July 9, 1861 580-583
Cutting out of a schooner by Federal boats' crews near Pensa-
cola navy yard, August 3, 4, 1861 610-612
Reports of conference regarding defenses of Gulf of Mexico. 618, 651, 680 Flag-Officer Mervine relieved of command of Gulf Blockading
Squadron by Flag-Officer McKean 660, 684-686
• Confederate privateer Judah destroyed at Pensacola navy yard
by boat expedition from U. S. S. Colorado, September 14, 1861 . 670-675 Evacuation of Ship Island by Confederate forces, September 17,
1861 677-679
Reconnoissance in Mississippi River to the Head of the Passes,
September 19, 1861 682-684
Occupation of the Head of the Passes, October 2, 1861 696, 697
C. S. S. Ivy attacked Federal vessels at Head of the Passes,
. October 9, 1861 699, 700, 724
Federal squadron driven from Head of the Passes by attack of
Confederate vessels, October 12, 1861 703-730
Engagement between Confederate steamer Florida and U. S. S.
Massachusetts near Ship Island, October 19, 1861 739-745
Capture of the Confederate privateer Royal Yacht off Galves-
ton, November 7, 8, 1861 ..." 755-762
TABLE OF CONTENTS. VII
Gulf Blockading Squadron — Continued. Page.
Principal events — Continued. Union reports — Continued.
Joint attack of Federal forces upon Fort McRee, near Pensa-
cola, Fla., November 22, 23, 1861 775-787
Case of the British schooner Telegraph, seized near Indian Key,
Florida, November 30, 1861 797-800
Confederate vessels engaged U. S. S. Montgomery off Horn
Island Pass, near Mobile, December 4, 1861 808, 809
Confederate vessels exchanged shots with U. S. S. New London
off Mississippi City, Miss. , December 7, 1861 810-812
Confederate reports —
Engagement of Federal vessels with Confederate batteries on
Ship Island, June 9, 1861 581-583
Confederate privateer Judah destroyed at Pensacola navy yard
by boat expedition from U. S. S. Colorado, September 14, 1861 . 675 Evacuation of Ship Island by Confederate forces, September 17,
1861 679
Federal squadron driven from Head of the Passes by Confeder- ate vessels, October 12, 1861 725-730
Engagement between Confederate steamer Florida and U. S. S.
Massachusetts, near Ship Island, October 19, 1861 744, 745
Capture of the Confederate privateer Royal Yacht off Galveston,
November 7, 8, 1861 759-762
Joint attack of Federal forces upon Fort McRee, near Pensa- cola, Fla., November 22, 23, 1861 .* 783-787
Confederate vessels engaged U. S. S. Montgomery off Horn
Island Pass, near Mobile, December 4, 1861 809
Confederate vessels exchanged shots with U. S. S. New London,
off Mississippi City, Miss., December 7, 1861 811, 812
Miscellaneous, reports and correspondence, May 4 to December
14, 1861 820-869
The yacht Gypsy seized by U. S. S. Brooklyn, June 12, 1861 .. 822-825 Commander Hunter, C. S. Navy, assigned to command of works
for defense of the coast of Texas 835
Log of the C. S. S. Bayou City and journal of Commander
Hunter, C. S. Navy, September 26 to December 14, 1861 859-869
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page.
United States steamer Philadelphia Frontispiece.
Map of Broad River and tributaries, South Carolina, showing scene of opera- tions of naval brigade, November and December, 1864, 66
United States steamer Harvest Moon 282
United States steamer Bibb 295
Sketches of Confederate torpedoes and obstructions in Charleston Harbor,
South Carolina 374, 383, 390-398, 410, 411
Sketch of Confederate torpedo taken from piling in Ogeechee River, GeoTgia. 395
Confederate Stateb steam torpedo boat David 399
Confederate States ram Columbia, elevations, plan, and cross section 400, 401
Sketch of the Mississippi River above the Head of the Passes 636, 637
Sketch of the ironclad Turtle, probably the Confederate States ram Manassas .* 747
IX
PREFACE.
The work of preparing for publication the Official Records of the Union and Confederate navies, which was begun July 7, 1884, was organized under the superintendency of Professor J. R. Soley, U. S. Navy, at that time librarian of the Navy Department, afterwards Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
In August, 1890, the work of collecting these records and their clas- sification was ably continued by his successor, Lieutenant-Commander F. M. Wise, U. S. Navy, who, having received orders to sea, was relieved by Lieutenant-Commander Richard Rush, U. S. Navy, in May, 1893.
The long-delayed publication was finally authorized by act of Con- gress approved July 31, 1894, and begun by Mr. Rush. The first five volumes were published under his administration, and the impor- tant duty of organizing the office for the distribution of these volumes was accomplished.
In March, 1897, Mr. Rush, having been ordered to sea, was succeeded by Professor Edward K. Rawson, U. S. Navy, as superintendent. Professor Rawson was detached and ordered to the U. S. Naval Acad- emy September 20, 1902, and was succeeded by Mr. Charles W. Stewart.
No change is contemplated at present in the outline of the plan of publication as approved by the Department. This plan includes only the use of such material as may be certified to be contemporaneous naval records of the war, which is divided into three series, in the following order of arrangement:
I. The first series embraces the reports, orders, and correspondence, both Union and Confederate, relating to all naval operations on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and inland waters of the United States during the war of the rebellion, together with the operations of vessels acting singly, either as cruisers or privateers, in different parts of the world. These reports are accompanied by occasional maps and diagrams.
In this series the papers are arranged according to squadrons and flotillas, chronologically; and, as far as possible, the Union reports of any events are immediately followed by the Confederate reports.
XI
XII PEEFACE.
II. The second series embraces the reports, orders, and correspond- ence relating to —
1. The condition of the Union Navy in 1861, before the com- mencement of hostilities, and to its increase during the progress of the war, including the annual and special reports of the Secretary of the Navy and chiefs of the various bureaus.
2. The construction and outfit of the Confederate Navy, includ- ing privateers, setting forth also the annual and special reports of the Confederate Secretary of the Navy and chiefs of bureaus.
3. Statistical data of all vessels, Union and Confederate, as far as can be obtained.
4. Returns of naval and military property captured by the navies of both sides during the war.
5. Correspondence relating to naval prisoners.
This series is also arranged chronologically in each of the above sections, as far as practicable.
III. The third series embraces all reports, orders, correspondence, and returns of the Union and Confederate authorities not specially relating to the matter of the first and second series.
It is the intention of the Department to introduce throughout the volumes of the different series illustrations of each class or type of vessels referred to, in order to preserve the identity of these ships as they actually appeared during the war. These cuts have been reproduced either from photographs of the vessels themselves or from the carefully prepared drawings made from official sources.
Much difficulty has been found in collecting the records, for, while the official reports of commanders of fleets and of vessels acting singly are on file in the Navy Department, it is found that the correspondence between flag-officers and their subordinates is frequently missing. Without this squadron correspondence the historical value of the work would necessarily be impaired, and the Department therefore has spared no pains to secure the letter books and papers of the chief actors on both sides. These papers have for the most part been obtained, and they have been copiously used in the compilation of the work. The reports of the Union commanders are full and fair!}7 complete. It is to be regretted, however, that the Confederate records are not equally complete, due to the great difficulty found in collecting them, and also to the fact that a large part of the archives of the Confederate Navy Department was burned at the close of the war. Frequent careful
PREFACE. XIII
searches throughout various parts of the country, conducted by a special agent of the Department, have brought to light many dupli- cates of these papers, found among the personal files of participants. It is hoped that the publication will revive the interest of participants in the events referred to, and lead them to bring to the notice of the Department the whereabouts of any papers bearing upon naval opera- tions in the civil war of which the}' may have knowledge.
The fifteenth volume of the records (Series I, vol. 15), which has recently been published by the Department, gives the operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 1, 1863, to Sep- tember 30, 1864. The present volume (Series I, vol. 16) gives the operations of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron from October 1, 1864, to August 8, 1865; and the operations of the Gulf Blockading Squadron from June 7 to December 15, 1861.
The reports and correspondence are placed chronologically, with a distinct heading for ever}- paper. In the record of events in which both sides took part, the Confederate reports (where they could be obtained) immediately follow the Union reports, while the miscellane- ous Confederate correspondence is placed at the end of the volume. Reference to the table of contents will show the context of these Con- federate papers. It is believed that the chronological arrangement of the records, in connection with the full and complete index to each volume, will afford ample means of reference to its contents without other subdivision or classification. In reports of special or single events, in which the papers bear specific relation to those events, the chronological order has been somewhat modified, and such documents have been placed together in the compilation.
CHARLES W. STEWART,
Compiler. NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C., May, 1903.
NOTE. — The following is an extract from the law governing the dis- tribution of the sets comprising the publication (act of Congress approved July 31, 1894):
* * * Of said number, six thousand eight hundred and forty copies shall be for the use of the House of Representatives, two thou- sand one hundred and twelve copies for the use of the Senate, and one thousand and forty-eight copies for the use of the Navy Department and for distribution by the Secretary of the Navy among officers of the Navy and contributors to the work. The quotas herein authorized of said publication for the Senate and House of Representatives shall be
XIV PREFACE.
sent by the Secretary of the Navy to such libraries, organizations, and individuals as may be designated by the Senators, Representatives, and Delegates of the Fifty-third Congress, it being the purpose of this dis- tribution herein provided for to place these records in public libraries, and with permanent organizations having libraries, so far as such libraries may exist in the several States and Territories. Each Senator shall designate not exceeding twenty-four and each Representative and Delegate not exceeding nineteen of such addresses, and the volumes shall be sent thereto from time to time, as they are published, until the publication is completed; and all sets that may not be ordered to be distributed as provided herein shall be sold by the Secretary of the Navy for cost of publication, with ten per centum added thereto, and the proceeds of such sale shall be covered into the Treasury. If two or more sets of said volumes are ordered to the same address, the Secretary of the Navy shall inform the Senators, Representatives, or Delegates who have designated the same, who thereupon may desig- nate other libraries, organizations, or individuals. The Secretary of the Navy shall inform distributees at whose instance the volumes are sent.
The following joint resolution regarding the distribution of the work was approved January 30, 1896:
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to send the undis- tributed copies of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, both of the Union and of the Confederate navies, to such libraries, organizations, and individuals as may be designated before the meet- ing of the next Congress by the Representatives in the Fifty-fourth Congress of the districts whose Representatives in the Fifty-third Congress failed to designate the distributees of their quota of said Official Records, or any part thereof, as authorized by the act of Con- gress approved July thirty -first, eighteen hundred and ninety -four, and the joint resolution approved March second, eighteen hundred and ninety -five, to the extent and in the manner and form provided in said act.
The following is an extract from the act of Congress of May 28, 1896, which increased the edition from 10,000 to 11,000 copies:
* * * For printing, binding, and wrapping one thousand addi- tional copies of series one, volumes one, two, three, and four, for sup- plying officers of the Navy who have not received the work, two thousand four hundred dollars.
ORDER OF COMPILATION OF NAVAL WAR RECORDS.
SERIES I.
1. Operations of the Cruisers, 1861-1865.
Union cruisers. •
West India (Flying) Squadron, under Acting Rear- Admiral Wilkes, U. S. N., 1862-1863.
West India (Flying) Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Lardner, U. S. N., 1863-1864. Confederate cruisers and privateers.
2. Operations in the Gulf of Mexico, January to June 7, 1861.
Surrender of the Pensacola Navy Yard.
Cooperation of the Navy in the relief of Fort Pickens.
3. Operations on the Atlantic Coast, January to May 13, 1861.
Cooperation of the Navy in the attempts to relieve Fort Sumter. Abandonment and destruction of the Norfolk Navy Yard. Home Squadron, under Flag-Officer Pendergrast, U. S. N.
4. Operations on the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, 1861-1865.
Potomac Flotilla, under Cemmander Ward, U. S. N., 1861. Potomac Flotilla, under Captain Craven, U. S. N., 1861. Potomac Flotilla, under Lieutenant Wyman, U. S. N., 1861-1862. Potomac Flotilla, under Commodore Harwood, U. S. N., 1862-1863. Potomac Flotilla, under Commander Parker, U. S. N., 1863-1865.
5. Atlantic Blockading Squadrons, 1861-1865.
Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Stringham, U. S. N., May 13 to Sept. 23, 1861.
West India Squadron, under Flag-Officer Pendergrast, U. S. N., 1861.
Naval Defenses of Virginia and North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Barren, C. S. N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Flag-officer Goldsborough, U. S. N., 1861. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Goldsborough, U. S. N., 1861-1862.
Naval Defenses of Virginia and North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Lynch, C. S. N.
James River Squadron, under Flag-Officer Buchanan, C. S. N.
James River Squadron, under Flag-Officer Tattnall, C. S. N.
James River Flotilla, under Commodore WTilkes, U. S. N., 1862. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. N., 1862-1864.
James River Squadron, under Flag-Officers Forrest and Mitchell, C. S. N.
* Naval Defenses Inland Waters of North Carolina, under Commander Pinkney, C. S. N. *Naval Defenses Cape Fear River, North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Lynch, C. S. N.
North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. N., 1864-1865. James River Squadron, under Flag-Officers Mitchell and Semmes, C. S. N.
* Naval Defenses Cape Fear River, North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Pinkney, C. S. N. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Radford, U. S. N., 1865. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Du Pont, U. S. N., 1861-1863.
* Naval Defenses of South Carolina and Georgia, under Flag-Officer Tattnall, C. S. N.
* Naval Defenses of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, under Flag-Officer Ingraham, C. S. N. South Atlaatic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. N., 1863-1865.
* Naval Defenses of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, under Flag-Officer Tucker, C. S. N. Naval Defenses of Savannah, Ga., under Flag-Officers Hunter and Tattnall, C. S. N.
*The Confederate material under this head is very scant. It is therefore hoped that those who have any Confederate naval documents upon the subject will communicate with the Office of Naval War Records, Navy Department, Washington, D. C.
N W R— VOL 16 II XV
XVI ORDER OF COMPILATION OF NAVAL WAR RECORDS.
6. Gulf Blockading Squadrons, 1861-1865. .
Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Mervine, U. S. N., 1861. Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-officer McKean, U. S. N., 1861-1862.
* Mississippi River Defenses, under Flag-Officer Hollins, C. 8. N.
East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer McKean, U. S. N., 1862.
East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Lardner, U. S. N., 1862.
East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear- Admiral Bailey, U. S. N., 1862-1864.
East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Captain Greene, U. S. N., 1864.
East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Stribling, U. S. N., 1864-1865.
West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Farragut, U. S. N., 1862-1863.
Mortar Flotilla, under Commander Porter, U. S. N., 1862.
Lower Mississippi River Defenses, under Commander J. K. Mitchell, C. S. N., 1862.
* Mobile Defenses, under Flag-Officer Randolph, C. S. N. Trans-Mississippi Marine Department, under Major Leon Smith, C. S. A.
West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Commodore Bell, U. S. N. (ad interim), 1863. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Farragut, U. S. N., 1864.
* Mobile Defenses, under Admiral Buchanan, C. S. N.
West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Commodore Palmer, U. S. N., 1864-1865. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Thatcher, U. S. N., 1865.
* Mobile Defenses, under Flag-Offieer Farrand, C. S. N.
7. Operations on the Western Eivers, 1861-1865.
Naval Forces on Western Waters, under Commander Rodgers, U. S. N., 1861. Naval Forces on Western Waters, under Flag-Officer Foote, U. S. N., 1861-1862.
* Mississippi River Defenses, under Flag-Officer Hollins, C. S. N. Naval Forces on Western Waters, under Flag-Officer Davis, U. S. N., 1862.
* Mississippi River Defense Fleet, under Captain Montgomery, C. S. A.
* Mississippi River Defenses, under Commander R. F. Pinkney, C. S. N.
* Mississippi River Defenses, un(ier Flag-Officer Lynch, C. S. N. Mississippi Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. N., 1862-1864. Mississippi Squadron, under Acting Rcar-Admiral Lee, U. S. N., 1864-1865.
* Naval Defenses of Red River, Louisiana, under Lieutenant J. H. Carter, C. S. N.
*The Confederate material under this head is very scant. It is Hierefore hoped that those who have any Confederate naval documents upon the subject will communicate with the Office of Naval War Records, Navy Department, Washington, D. C.
UNITED STATES VESSELS OF WAR SERVINO IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON, OCTOBER 1, 186U, TO AUGUSTS, 1865.
|
Name. |
Rate. |
Tonnage. |
Class. |
Crew. |
Guns. |
|
A Houghton |
Fourth ... |
326 |
Bark |
27 |
2 |
|
Acacia |
Fourth ... |
300 |
Screw steamer. ... |
58 |
4 |
|
Amaranthus * |
Fourth ... |
182 |
do |
40 |
3 |
|
Arethusa |
Fourth ... |
195 |
do |
32 |
2 |
|
Azalea. .. |
Fourth ... |
220 |
do |
42 |
2 |
|
Bibb |
Coast-survey steamer |
35 |
|||
|
Braziliera . . . |
Fourth ... |
540 |
Bark |
68 |
6 |
|
C. P. Williams |
Fourth ... |
210 |
Mortar schooner |
45 |
3 |
|
Calvpso |
Fourth . . . |
630 |
Screw steamer |
70 |
7 |
|
Cambridge . |
Third |
858 |
do |
% |
10 |
|
Camelia |
Fourth |
198 |
do |
40 |
2 |
|
Canandaigua . |
Second |
1,395 |
do |
163 |
11 |
|
Canonicus |
Third |
1,034 |
Ironclad steamer |
85 |
2 |
|
Carnation |
Fourth ... |
82 |
Screw? stfiftmpr |
19 |
2 |
|
Catalpa |
Fourth . . . |
160 |
do |
37 |
3 |
|
Catskill |
Third |
844 |
Ironclad steamer |
74 |
2 |
|
Cecilia |
Tender . |
1 |
|||
|
Chatham |
Fourth ... |
Side-wheel steamer |
26 |
0 |
|
|
Chenango |
Third |
650 |
do |
171 |
10 |
|
Chippewa . |
Fourth ... |
507 |
Screw steamer . |
85 |
4 |
|
Cimarron |
Third |
860 |
Side- wheel steamer |
122 |
10 |
|
Clover |
Fourth . . . |
128 |
Screw steamer |
19 |
2 |
|
Columbine |
Fourth ... |
133 |
do |
24 |
2 |
|
Commodore McDonough |
Fourth ... |
532 |
Side- wheel steaTnpr . , |
75 |
6 |
|
Conemaugh |
Third |
955 |
do |
125 |
g |
|
Daffodil |
Fourth . . . |
160 |
do |
28 |
2 |
|
Dai Ching |
Fourth ... |
520 |
Screw steamer |
83 |
|
|
Dandelion |
Fourth ... |
111 |
do |
22 |
2 |
|
Dan Smith . . |
Fourth ... |
150 |
Mortar schooner |
33 |
5 |
|
Dbnegal |
Fourth ... |
1,124 |
Side-wheel steamer |
80 |
4 |
|
E.B. Hale |
Fourth ... |
192 |
Screw steamer |
50 |
5 |
|
Emma |
Fourth ... |
350 |
do |
70 |
8 |
|
Ethan Allen |
Fourth ... |
556 |
Bark |
87 |
9 |
|
Fahkee |
Fourth ... |
699 |
Screw steamer |
73 |
3 |
|
Fernandina |
Fourth ... |
297 |
Bark . . . |
79 |
6 |
|
Flag |
Third |
963 |
Screw steamer |
140 |
g |
|
Flambeau |
Third |
900 |
do |
92 |
5 |
|
G. W. Blunt |
Fourth ... |
121 |
Schooner |
16 |
1 |
|
Gemsbok |
Fourth . . |
622 |
Bark |
101 |
7 |
|
George Mangham |
Fourth ... |
274 |
Mortar schooner |
26 |
5 |
|
George W. Rodgers |
Fourth |
87 |
do |
24 |
2 |
|
Geranium |
Fourth ... |
222 |
Side-wheel steamer |
45 |
3 |
|
Gladiolus |
Fourth |
81 |
Screw steamer |
25 |
3 |
|
Harvest Moon |
Fourth . . . |
546 |
Side-wheel steamer |
72 |
3 |
|
Home |
Third |
713 |
Screw steamer |
88 |
3 |
|
Hope . . . |
Fourth .. |
134 |
Schooner . . . |
13 |
1 |
XVII
XVIII
LIST OF UNITED STATES VESSELS OF WAR.
UNITED STATES VESSELS OF WAR SERVING IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON, OCTOBER 1, 1861., TO AUGUST 6, 1865— Continued.
|
Name. |
Rate. |
Tonnage. |
Class. |
Crew. |
Guns. |
|
Second . . . |
1,240 |
Screw steamer |
160 |
13 |
|
|
Fourth ... |
507 |
do |
76 |
4 |
|
|
Fourth |
224 |
do |
29 |
2 |
|
|
Iris |
Fourth ... |
159 |
do |
34 |
2 |
|
Third |
1,161 |
Side- wheel steamer |
120 |
8 |
|
|
Fourth |
401 |
Bark |
62 |
c |
|
|
Third |
700 |
Ship . . . |
118 |
8 |
|
|
John Griffith |
Fourth ... |
246 |
Mortar schooner. . |
44 |
3 |
|
Fourth ... |
90 |
Screw steamer. . ..; |
15 |
2 |
|
|
Juniata |
Second . . . |
1,240 |
do |
160 |
14 |
|
Fourth . . . |
450 |
Bark |
95 |
5 |
|
|
Fourth ... |
180 |
Screw steamer |
29 |
||
|
Larkspur |
Fourth ... |
125 |
do |
26 |
, |
|
Lehigh |
Second ... |
844 |
Ironclad steamer |
80 |
2 |
|
Fourth . . |
Schooner |
(*1 |
|||
|
Lodona . |
Third |
SCO |
Screw stftnmpr |
97 |
7 |
|
Madgie |
Fourth |
218 |
do |
45 |
3 |
|
Mahaska |
Third . |
832 |
Side-wheel steamer |
145 |
6 |
|
Mahopac |
Fourth |
1,034 |
Ironclad steamer |
92 |
2 |
|
|
Fourth |
Schooner |
(*) |
||
|
Malvern |
Fourth ... |
627 |
Side-wheel steamer |
115 |
12 |
|
Marblehead |
Fourth ... |
507 |
Screw steamer |
81 |
4 |
|
Mary Sanford |
Third |
757 |
do |
60 |
3 |
|
Memphis |
Third |
791 |
do |
100 |
7 |
|
Midnight |
Fourth |
386 |
Bark |
70 |
7 |
|
Mingoe |
Third |
974 |
Side- wheel steamer |
146 |
10 |
|
Mohawk |
Fourth |
459 |
Screw steamer |
£5 |
8 |
|
Mohican |
Third |
994 |
do |
150 |
10 |
|
Monadnock |
Third |
1,564 |
Ironclad steamer. |
146 |
4 |
|
Montauk |
Third |
844 |
do |
67 |
2 |
|
Nahant |
Third |
844 |
do |
76 |
2 |
|
Nan tucket |
Third |
844 |
do |
85 |
2 |
|
National Guard |
Fourth |
1 046 |
Ship |
85 |
5 |
|
New Hampshire |
First |
2 633 |
do |
125 |
10 |
|
New Ironsides |
First |
3,486 |
Screw steamer |
449 |
20 |
|
Nipsic |
Fourth |
593 |
do |
91 |
5 |
|
Norfolk Packet.. |
Fourth |
349 |
Mortar schooner |
40 |
4 |
|
Norwich |
Fourth |
431 |
Screw steamer |
80 |
6 |
|
O. M. Pettit |
Fourth ... |
165 |
Side-wheel steamer |
30 |
2 |
|
Oleander |
Fourth ... |
~ 246 |
do |
35 |
2 |
|
Orvetta |
Fourth |
171 |
Mortar schooner |
25 |
3 |
|
Ottawa |
Fourth |
507 |
Screw steamer |
90 |
5 |
|
Para |
Fourth ... |
190 |
Mortar schooner |
34 |
3 |
|
Passaic |
Third |
844 |
Ironclad steamer |
70 |
2 |
|
Patapsco . . |
Third |
844 |
do |
72 |
2 |
|
Paul Jones . . . |
Third |
863 |
Side-wheel steamer |
148 |
9 |
|
Pawnee |
Second |
1 289 |
Screw steamer |
151 |
11 |
|
Percy Dray ton |
Fourth ... |
Sloop |
(*) |
||
|
Perry . . . |
Fourth |
280 |
Brig |
f>7 |
9 |
|
Philadelphia |
Fourth |
500 |
Side-wheel steamer |
24 |
1 |
|
Pontiac |
Third |
974 |
.do |
172 |
14 |
|
Pntrvmskn. |
Fourth |
287 |
Screw steamer |
77 |
5 |
|
Preston |
Fourth |
428 |
do |
(*) |
|
|
Racer... |
Fourth . . |
252 |
Mortar schooner. . . |
36 |
3 |
* No rolls.
LIST OF UNITED STATES VESSELS OF WAR.
XIX
UNITED STATES VESSELS OF WAR SERVING IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON, OCTOBER 1, 1361,, TO AUGUST 6, 1S65— Continued.
|
Name. |
Rate. |
Tonnage. |
Class. |
Crew. |
Guns. |
|
Fourth ... |
Ill |
Screw steamer |
20 |
1 |
|
|
St Louis |
Third |
700 |
Ship |
183 |
18 |
|
Third. . . |
844 |
Trrmr>l»rl stPflmpr , |
85 |
2 |
|
|
Santiago de Cuba ... |
Second ... |
1,567 |
Side- wheel steamer |
143 |
11 |
|
Sarah Bruen |
Fourth ... |
233 |
Mortar schooner |
36 |
3 |
|
Third . . |
882 |
Ship. .. . |
182 |
22 |
|
|
Sea Foam |
Fourth ... |
264 |
Brig |
25 |
2 |
|
Fourth |
507 |
Screw steamer |
84 |
4 |
|
|
Second |
1,378 |
do . . |
171 |
10 |
|
|
Sonoma |
Third ... |
955 |
Side-wheel steamer r.. |
165 |
7 |
|
Sophronia |
Fourth ... |
217 |
Mortar schooner |
32 |
4 |
|
South Carolina .. |
Third |
1,165 |
Screw steamer |
105 |
8 |
|
State of Georgia |
Third |
1,204 |
Side- wheel steamer |
113 |
g |
|
Stettin |
Fourth ... |
600 |
Screw steamer |
72 |
5 |
|
Supply |
Fourth ... |
547 |
Ship |
88 |
7 |
|
Sweet Brier . . |
Fourth |
240 |
Screw steamer |
37 |
2 |
|
Swift |
Fourth ... |
Tender |
(*) |
||
|
T. A. Ward |
Fourth ... |
184 |
Mortar schooner.. . .. |
29 |
5 |
|
Thunder |
Fourth ... |
Tender |
(*) |
||
|
Ticonderoga . |
Second |
1,533 |
Srrew stp»mpr |
163 |
18 |
|
Tuscarora |
Third |
997 |
do |
172 |
10 |
|
Unadilla |
Fourth |
507 |
do |
90 |
6 |
|
Valparaiso |
Fourth .. |
402 |
Ship |
36 |
|
|
Vanderbilt |
First |
3,360 |
Side-wheel steamer |
209 |
17 |
|
Wabash |
First |
3,274 |
Screw steamer |
568 |
48 |
|
Wamsutta |
Fourth |
270 |
do |
75 |
5 |
|
Waudo |
Fourth ... |
645 |
Side-wheel steamer |
86 |
3 |
|
Water Witch |
Fourth ... |
378 |
do |
73 |
3 |
|
Weehawken . |
Third |
844 |
72 |
2 |
|
|
Wildcat |
Fourth .. |
30 |
Schooner |
52 |
1 |
|
Winona |
Fourth ... |
507 |
Screw steamer |
93 |
6 |
|
Wissahickon |
Fourth ... |
507 |
do |
80 |
4 |
* No rolls.
|
CAX-EETDA.!*. |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
1865. |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
JANUARY. |
FEBRUARY. |
MARCH. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Sun. |
M. |
T. |
W. |
T. |
F. |
Sat. |
Sun. |
M. |
T. |
W. |
T. |
F. |
Sat. |
Sun. |
M. |
T. |
W. |
T. |
F. |
Sat. |
|
I 15 22 29 |
2 9 16 23 30 |
3 10 17 24 31 |
4 11 18 25 |
5 12 19 26 |
6 13 20 27 |
7 14 21 28 |
1 8 15 22 |
2 9 16 23 |
3 10 17 24 |
4 11 18 26 |
1 8 15 22 29 |
2 9 16 23 30 |
3 10 17 24 31 |
4 11 18 25 |
||||||
|
5 12 19 26 |
6 13 20 27 |
7 14 21 28 |
5 12 19 26 |
6 13 20 27 |
7 14 21 28 |
|||||||||||||||
|
1 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
APRIL. |
MAY. |
JUNE. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Sun. |
M. |
T. |
W. |
T. |
F. |
Sat. |
Sun. |
M. T. |
W. |
T. |
F. |
Sat. |
Sun. |
M. |
T. |
W. |
T. |
F. |
Sat. |
|
|
1 |
1 8 15 22 29 |
2 9 IB 28 30 |
3 10 17 24 31 |
4 11 18 25 |
5 12 19 26 |
6 13 20 27 |
1 8 15 22 29 |
2 9 16 23 30 |
3 10 17 24 |
|||||||||||
|
2 9 16 23 30 |
3 •10 17 24 |
4 11 18 25 |
5 12 19 26 |
6 13 20 27 |
7 14 21 28 |
8 15 22 29 |
7 14 21 28 |
4 11 18 25 |
5 12 19 26 |
18 20 27 |
7 14 21 28 |
|||||||||
|
JULY. |
AUGUST. |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Sun. |
M. |
T. W. T. |
F. |
Sat. |
Sun. |
M. |
T. 1 8 15 •2-2 29 |
W. T. |
F. |
Sat. |
||||||||||
|
1 |
2 3 9 10 16 17 23 24 30 31 |
4 11 18 25 |
5 12 19 26 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
2 9 16 23 30 |
3 10 17 24 31 |
456 11 12 13 18 19 20 25 26 27 |
7 14 21 28 |
8 15 22 29 |
6 13 20 27 |
7 14 21 28 |
||||||||||||||
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON
FROM OCTOBER 1, 1864, TO AUGUST 8, 1865.
N W R — VOL 16 1
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
FROM OCTOBER 1, 1864, TO AUGUST 8, 1865.
Distribution of vessels of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
October 7, 1864.
|
Vessel. |
Station. |
Remarks. |
|
Murrell's Inlet |
||
|
Potomsku |
Georgetown .... |
|
|
Do |
Cape Romain |
|
|
*Mangham |
Bull's Bay |
|
|
Adger |
Charleston . |
Outside the bar |
|
Pawnee |
do |
Do |
|
Flambeau |
do... |
Do. |
|
Pontiac |
do |
Do. |
|
Mingoe |
do |
Do. |
|
Nipsic |
do |
Do. |
|
Acacia |
do. ... |
Do. |
|
Wamsutta . . |
do |
Do. |
|
Azalea... |
... .do |
Do. |
|
Geranium |
.do |
Do. |
|
Catskill |
do |
Inside the bar. |
|
Sangamon |
do |
Do. |
|
Nantucket . . . . |
do |
Do. |
|
Lehigh |
do |
Do. |
|
Home |
do... . |
Do. |
|
*Adams... . |
. ..do |
Do. |
|
Clover |
.do "... |
Do. |
|
Amaranth us |
do |
Do. |
|
Dandelion |
do |
Do. |
|
Catalpa |
do |
Do. |
|
Montauk |
do |
Repairing. |
|
McDonough |
Stono |
|
|
*Smith |
do |
|
|
Stettin |
North Edisto |
|
|
*Percy Dray ton |
do |
Tender. |
|
*Saratoga |
St. Helena |
|
|
*Williams |
do |
|
|
*Wild Cat |
do. . . |
Tender. |
|
*New Hampshire . |
Port Royal . . . . |
|
|
Cimarron |
do |
|
|
Philadelphia.. |
. ...do . . .. |
|
|
Arethusa |
.do |
|
|
Chatham . |
do |
|
|
Pettit . |
do |
|
|
Larkspur . |
do |
|
|
*Norfolk Packet |
do |
|
|
*Bruen |
do |
|
|
*Houghton |
do |
. |
|
South Carolina |
Tybee Island |
|
|
Memphis |
do ... |
|
|
*Swift |
do |
Tender. |
|
Passaic |
||
|
Wissahickon : |
do... |
|
|
*Thunder |
do |
Tender. |
|
Flag |
Ossaba w . |
|
|
Canandaigua |
do |
|
|
Sonoma |
do.. |
|
|
Jonquil |
do |
|
|
*Fernaiidina |
St. Catherine's . |
|
|
Lodona |
Sapelo . . |
|
|
*Allen |
Doboy . |
|
|
•Griffith... |
Altamaha .. |
4 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Distribution of vessels of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, October 1, 1864 — Con- tinued.
Vessel.
Station.
*Braziliera ............................. St. Simon's
Sanford ................................ St. Andrew's
*Perry ................................. Fernandina
Ottawa ....................... '. ......... St. John's
Norwich .................................... do
Hale ........................................ do
Mosquito [Inlet] yal .....
Remarks.
Repairing.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Repairing; tender. Repairing. Hospital ship.
do ! Health ship.
Relieve and communicate. Special duty.
Do.
Southern stations with stores. North. North for repairs.
Do.
Patapsco Port Roy
Nahant do
Dai Ching do
Winona do
*Racer do
*Para do
*Hope do
Sweet Brier I do
Daffodil do
Gladiolus do
Camelia do
Hydrangea do
Laburnum ' do
Carnation do
^Lightning i do
*George W. Rodgers ,,. do
* Valparaiso ' do
*Ward
Iris
Harvest Moon
*Blunt
Oleander
Wabash
Marblehead
Mohawk
Seneca Do.
Huron Do.
Unadilla I Do.
Chippewa Do.
Rescue Do.
New Ironsides Do.
*Midnight „ ' ! Do.
Paul Jones ' Do.
Mahaska : > Do.
*Supply Do.
Weehawken Sunk or stranded.
Housatonic Do.
*Kingfisher Do.
Madgie Do.
Water Witch Captured.
Columbine . . . Do.
* Sailing vessels.
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
The vessels marked "tenders" are little craft, manned by two or three men, and used to communicate with depot. The P. Drayton is an exchange.
J. A. D.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to commanding officers to drill crews for operations on shore.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., October 1, 1864.
B}" an order of August 8 I directed the commanders of vessels to select and drill certain portions of their crews for landing.
They will now detail all of such as can properly leave the vessel for a limited period and organize them into sections of 20 men, half
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 5
companies of 40 men, and companies of 80 men. Howitzer crews detailed and drilled, ready for landing.
These are to be commanded by the officers who have most aptitude
for such duty, and by petty officers acting as sergeants and corporals.
The arms of all kinds are to be carefully looked after every day,
and the boats kept in readiness, so that at the least notice the landing
force may leave in a time not exceeding one hour.
JOHN A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Corndg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Report of Lieutenant- Commander Semmes, U. 8. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Lehigh, regarding additional means of exit from the pilot house of that vessel.
U. S. S. LEHIGH,
Off Morris Island, South Carolina, October 1, 186Jf.. SIR: As there are no means of exit, when necessary to do so in a hurry, from the pilot house of these vessels, I respectfully request permission to cut a manhole in the top of this vessel's pilot house.
A hole 18 inches by 16 would be sufficiently large, I should think, and the work could be very readily done by our own people.
The top of the pilot house is thicker than any other horizontal sur- face (composed entirely of iron) on board; and of the two chances, I would prefer that by shot to that by drowning, in the event of being sunk by a torpedo.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. A. SEMMES, Lieutenant- Commander.
Rear-Admiral JOHN A. DAHLGREN, U. S. Navy,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Repoi*t of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. 8. Navy, giving information regarding the draft over Charleston Bar during spring tides.
No. 488.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, 8. C., October 2, 1864.
SIR: The Department asks me, " What is the greatest possible draft that can be taken over the bar at Charleston during the spring tides?"
Captain Boutelle tells me that he has twice had 19 feet, in a period of five months. Once when the Ironsides crossed with Admiral Du Pont.
The chief pilot says 21 feet.
The latter I believe to be exaggerated, and the former only occurred twice.
The average depth at spring tides may be set down at 18 feet, and it is an extraordinary circumstance when this is exceeded — certainly not to be counted on.
The easterly winds which swell the tides also create a sea on the bar, and the concurrence of a spring tide with an easterly wind that leaves a smooth bar is evidently to be hoped for, rather than expected.
6 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
The Iron-sides drew not fully 16 feet when I crossed in July, 1863, and the chief pilot allowed two or three days of the spring- tide to pass before he would venture. I think it was needlessly cautious; still, even with an ordinary swell on a bar in the open sea it is safe to have a foot to spare under the bottom of a vessel, especially if she has a screw.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. 8. Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, II. S. Navy, regarding the delivery of confidential order f 01* Rear- Admiral Farragut, U. S. Navy.
No. 492.] FLAGSHIP PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal, October 3, 1864.
SIR: The Department's confidential communication of the 22d* Sep- tember was received by me late on the 28th, and in twenty-four hours afterwards the Wabash sailed for Hampton Roads.
The confidential order for Rear- Admiral Farragut will be delivered to him as soon as he reaches this place, and I am awaiting his arrival for that purpose.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear-Admiral. Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Order of the Secretary of tlie Navy to Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to transmit chart awing latest information regarding Confed- erate works and obstructwns in Charleston Harbon\
NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 3, 1864-
SIR: The Department desires you to mark on the Coast-Survey chart of Charleston Harbor all the latest information of the rebel works of all descriptions, including everything relative to obstructions, and transmit it to the Department with any suggestions on the subject that j^ou may deem proper to make. Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear-Admiral JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Comdg. S. Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Port Royal, 8. C.
* For correspondence of Navy Department with Rear-Admiral Dahlgren relative to his aiding Rear-Admiral Farragut in the proposed attack upon defenses of Wil- mington, N. C., dated September 9 and 22 and October 17, 1864, see Series I, volume 10, pp. 449, 472, and 569.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 7
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Com- mander Stillwell, U. 8. Navy, regarding the sunken steamer Sumter.
FLAG-STEAMER ! HILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. 6*1, October 3, 1864. SIR: I am in receipt of j-ours* of 27th ultimo, and say in reply: If you are unable to raise the sunken steamer Sumter, then let General Hatch do so; we have had the opportunity for six months. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Sear-Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Lieut. Commander JAMES STLLLWELL,
Comdg. U. S. S. Ottawa, Senior Officer in the St. John's.
Order of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Crosby, U. S. Navy, to assume command of the U. S. S. Harvest Moon.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., Odder 5, 1864.
SIR: You are hereby detached from the U. S. S. Cimarron and will, without delay, assume command of the U. S. S. Harvest Moon. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Acting Master JOHN K. CROSBY, U. S. Navy,
U. S. IS. Cimarron.
Repoi^t of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Swann, U. 8. Navy, giving information obtained from deserters.
U. S. S. POTOMSKA,
Winyah Bay, October 5, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I send to Charleston, by the Laburnum, Sergeant James A. Crinnian, Company I, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and Private Isaac Ferguson, First Brigade band, Second Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac, who effected their escape from the enemy. I also send 11 privates, Company B, German Artillery (rebel), who deserted from Battery White. From them I gain the following information and send you a chart showing the posi- tion of the forces around Georgetown : The deserters report great dis- satisfaction among the troops, particularly the Germans, who, the}' say, would desert without an exception were they not so strictly guarded. I find the river so strongly picketed I can give them very little assistance. At Battery White there are ten guns; the position and caliber are given in chart. In rear of battery there is a section of artillery consisting of two rifled 12-pounders; the remainder of the company, commanded by Captain Gaillard, is at McClellanville. Two
*Not found.
8 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
companies of cavalry, commanded by Captains Kirk and Walker, are directly in rear of Battery White (see chart). There are but 25 men in Georgetown doing picket duty, and two companies of cavalry on Wac- camaw Neck. There are 400 men encamped 6 miles from the town — cavalry and infantry. General Trapier is in command. One of the Germans (who was in Charleston a short time since) says there are four large quaker guns in battery at Mount Pleasant. A schooner ran out from Georgetown about three weeks since, and the parties are daily expected to return in a steamer and run either into the Santee River or Georgetown. I shall keep a bright lookout for her. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. P. SWANN, Actg. Vol. Lieut., U. S. Navy, Comdg. 17. 8. S. Potomska.
Rear-Admiral JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Report of Acting Master Lee, U. S. Navy, regarding the discovery of a sunken steamer near tJie wrecks of the Georgiana and Mary Bower* , off Charleston.
U. S. S. WAMSUTTA, Of Charleston, October 6, 1864.
SIR: At daylight this morning, while lying at anchor on my station in 2£ fathoms water, the inner buoy on Rattlesnake Shoal bearing S. i W., distant about half a mile, 1 discovered a strange steamer sunk near the wrecks of the Georgiana and Mary Bowers. She has two masts, two smokestacks, and side wheels.
I immediately went in a boat to examine her, but as she is completely submerged in about 3 fathoms water I could ascertain nothing about her except that she is a Clyde-built vessel, of the class of the Mary Bowers, and was evidently bound in.
My opinion is that she struck the wreck of the Georgiana and put her wheel hard astarboard to clear it, thus bringing her head offshore and sinking so suddenly that she barely had time to take to her boats. She lies about 250 yards from and outside of the wrecks of the Georgi- ana and Mary Bowers.
If divers could get to work on her before she breaks up no doubt but that most of her cargo, if she has an}r, could be saved. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAS. W. LEE, Acting Master, Commanding. Commander T. H. PATTERSON,
Commanding Outside Blockade off Charleston.
Repwt of Commander Patterson, U. 8. Navy, giving positions of ves- sels on the outer blockade.
U. S. S. JAMES ADGER, Of Charleston Bar, Octobor 7, 1804.
SIR: I regret to learn that two steamers escaped the blockade last night, though it was a favorable night for blockade- running purposes.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADKON. 9
I think the outside blockading vessels are now stationed to the best advantage, and herewith send you the position of each vessel:
Flambeau, south of Swash Channel about \\ miles, in latitude 32° 43' N., longitude 79° 48' 25" W.
Azalea, short distance north of North Channel, in about latitude 32° 44:' 20" N., longitude 79° 48' 50" W.
Laburnum, 1£ miles or less (according to the darkness of the night) off Breach Inlet, in about latitude 32° 45' N., longitude 79° 48' 10" W.
rontiac, li miles or less (according to the darkness of the night) southeast of Breach Inlet, in about latitude 32° 45' 35" N., longitude 79° 47' 12" W.
Wafrnsutta, in about latitude 32° 46' N., longitude 79° 46' 10" W.
Nipsic: Her former cruising ground was from west end of Rattle- snake Shoal to the southward and westward until Ilousatonic bore S. nearly 1 mile. Last night she was anchored in about latitude 32° 44' 15" N., longitude 79° 46' 15" W. To-night she will move nearer to Rattlesnake Shoal.
Pawnee, since she has been disabled, has remained at anchor near the Ilousatonic.
Mingoe keeps underwa}7, and has cruised from a little to the north- ward of the Housatonic to the Flambeau, and thence skirting the shoal to the southward one-half mile and back.
James Adger keeps underway, and has cruised from the 'Ilousatonic toward the center of Rattlesnake Shoal and back, bringing the Housa- tonic to bear N. E. by N.
I enclose a rough tracing* showing the position of vessels. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. H. PATTERSON, Commander and Senior Officer off Charleston Bar.
Captain J. F. GREEN,
Senior Officer off Charleston.
Report of Captain Green, U. S. Navy, regarding movements of blockadc- . runners and the condition of the sunken steamer Constance.
U. S. SLOOP JOHNT ADAMS, Off Morris Island, South Carolina, October 8, 186 '4-
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that on the 6th instant I trans- ferred, agreeably to your instructions, the rebel paroled prisoners, and delivered all letters and packages in my possession authorized by you to be delivered to the enemy under a flag of truce.
Night before last we had two alarms of attempts to run the block- ade. On the first a steamer outward bound was turned back by the inside blockade. On the second, from the best information I have at present obtained, a large propeller ran in and a side-wheel steamer ra'n out. Neither were seen by the outside blockading vessels.
Last night a signal was made for a steamer running out, but I think it will prove to be a false alarm, as no guns were fired.
By an intercepted rebel dispatch we learn that the steamer discov- ered sunk off Long Island on the 6th instant was named the Constance.
* Not found.
10 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
She is completely submerged, preventing the character of her cargo from being ascertained.
I enclose herewith Acting Master Lee's report respecting her.* Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. GREEN, •Captain and Senior Officer off Charleston.
Rear- Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Letter from Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, II. S. Navy, to Major- General Foster, U. S. Army, regarding list of ordnance stores loaned to the Army.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., October 8, 1864.
GENERAL: I herewith enclose a list of ordnance stores loaned by the navy to the army.
Concerning the six 100-pounder Parrott rifles, the Bureau of Ord- nance, under date of August 16, 1861, writes:
The Bureau is of opinion that it will be better for Major-General Foster to inform the war office of the transfer having been made, and request that directions may be given Mr. Parrott to furnish the Navy with an equal number of 100-pounders.
Be pleased, therefore, to suggest this course of proceeding to Major-General Fos- ter.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Major-General J. G. FOSTER,
Comdg. Dept. of the South, Headquarters, Hilton Head.
Order of Captain Green, U. S. Navy, to Commander Patterson, U. S. Navy, to ascertain the cause of the inefficiency of the outer blockade.
U. S. SHIP JOHN ADAMS,
Off Morris Island, South Carolina, October 9, 1864- SIR: About half past 1 o'clock last night one side-wheel steamer suc- ceeded in running in, another made the attempt and was turned back, both in Maffitt's Channel. The latter will probabty try again to-night. No gun was fired or signal made outside of an attempt to violate the blockade.
Please enquire particularly in regard to the position of the vessels stationed off the entrance of MafBtt's Channel and that vicinity, and, if possible, ascertain why vessels running in or out are so seldom seen by them.
Very respectfully, etc.,
J. F. GREEN, Captain and Senior Office)' off Charleston.
Commander THOS. H. PATTERSON,
Comdg. U. S. S. James Adger, Senior Officer Offshore Blockade.
* See October 6.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING 'SQUADRON. 11
Report of Commander Patterson, U. S. Navy, denying any knowledge of inefficiently on the part of the vessels on the outer blockade.
t
U. S. S. JAMES ADGER, Off Charleston Bar, October 9, 1864.
SIR: All the commanding officers expressed themselves as confi- dent that nothing could have passed in or out last night without being discovered, until 1 informed them of the fact as stated in your letter of this date.
The Mingoe occupied the station suggested by you, between the west buoy of Rattlesnake and Long Island.
The Wamsutta was to the eastward of the wreck, well in toward Long Island, with a picket boat between her and the beach.
Lieutenant-Commander Luce informs me that when the moon went down he moved the Pontiac nearer to the beach, and never has been so near it as last night, tnough he has always taken a station well in. To- night and hereafter he will have a picket boat inshore of him.
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Cavendy, south of the Swash, is equally confident that he could have discovered anything passing the Flajnbeau.
The Laburnum and Azalea occupied the stations as reported to you, and the commanding officers state that they had the beach clearly in sight all night.
For myself I can only state that I did my best, eager and anxious, not only as the commander of a blockading vessel, but as senior officer outside, that nothing should escape us.
I am satisfied from my experience on blockading duty that vessels can not be discovered without good glasses; this ship has two, and one of these is in the picket boat.
Very respectfully, }Tour obedient servant,
T. H. PATTERSON, Commanded* and Senior Officei* off Charleston Bar.
Captain J. F. GREEN,
Senior Officei* off Charleston.
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, announcing the arrival of the U. S. schooner Orvetta.
No. 506.] FLAGSHIP PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal, S. C., October 11, 1864.
SIR: I have to announce to the Department that the U. S. schooner Orvetta, Acting Master William Fales, commanding, has arrived on this station and has been assigned duty in the squadron as a store vessel.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
12 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Order of Rear- Admiral DaMgren, U. S. Navy, to Captain Green, U. 8. Navy, senior officer off Charleston, enjotning vigilance against an attack on monitors by boarding.
FLAG- STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, 8. C., October 12, 1864.
SIR: I desire you to put the monitors on their guard against any attempt to get large bodies of rebels on the deck of the one in advance, at night.
It is rumored that a very large number of boats are building in Charleston, and the desperate condition of the rebel affairs would justify any risk of life to obtain an advantage. It would be well if the hawsers on the extreme of thp fenders were exchanged for a light chain.
There should also be boarding nettings on each monitor, and the hatches well watched.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Captain J. F. GREEN, U. S. Navy,
Senior Officer off Charleston.
Letter from, the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State, regard- ing/ French subjects desiring to leave the Confederate States.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 12, 1864.
SIR: 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 7th and llth instant, with their respective enclosures from Mr. Geofroy, the charge d'affaires of France, relative to the request for permission to send in one or two French vessels of war to Charleston for the purpose of receiving such French subjects as may be disposed to leave the insurrectionary States.
Some other port would be preferable at this time for carrying out the proposed arrangement.
Charleston is under constant fire and neutral vessels might be sub- jected to danger and inconvenience there. We could not well suspend our operations for the purpose of allowing the French men-of-war to enter and French subjects to embark. Mobile is a more desirable port for the accomplishment of the object in view. Very respectfully, etc.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Hon. WM. H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State.
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, regarding the condi- tion of the monitors.
No. 510.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, 8. C., October 12, 1864.
SIR: I transmit for the information of the Department two samples of tubes taken from the boilers of the Nahant. They will best show
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 13
the Department the nature of the difficulty that has nearly disabled every one of the monitors. That it should not have been so is evident from the fact of its being overcome, but to effect this my own time and personal attention has been requisite. One of the tubes referred to is closed entirely by deposit, and eleven such have occurred so far.
The diameter of the other tube, and this represents the back tubes of the boilers, has been reduced by the scale to a mean of 0.916 inch, hav- ing been originally 1.75 inches, so that the area of the section is about two-fifths of what it was.
The Patapsco has just left, having her tubes scaled entirely, except two or three hundred in front.
The shot-proof of the stack has been removed, having been badly damaged by a shell from the Patapsco1 s own XV-inch gun in the engagement with the forts, September 8, 1863. The shell penetrated one side entirety, and burst with severe effect on the other side.
As an instance of the capacity of shell to penetrate heavy thick- nesses of iron, I transmit the old shot-proof smoke pipe to Philadel- phia, and would suggest that it be sent to the ordnance yard, Washing- ton, for the naval school, or such other disposition as the Department may think most proper.
A new shot -proof was got in place, and the deck beam, that had set- tled considerably, supported by a heavy iron stanchion. It was a heavy piece of work for this small establishment, and the engineers (Dan by and Young) deserve credit for the execution with such limited means.
The Nahant will have about two-thirds of her tubes scaled when she leaves.
The Montauk (quite as bad) has been on duty but two or three weeks since May. She has now one boiler cleaned, and is beginning on the other.
The Sangamvn and Nantucket will follow in turn. The Passaic and Catskill are not so bad, having been scaled to some extent.
The frequent changes in the commanders and engineers of the mon- itors have, no doubt, contributed largely to this state of things by dividing the responsibility, and making it almost impossible to fix it anywhere.
The foulness of the bottoms was another evil which concurred with the diminished steam power to reduce the speed, so that some of the monitors barely moved against the tide.
This, too, is being mastered rapidly b}7 the new arrangements. The corps of divers that I have created makes it certain that a bottom can be cleaned in a week, and so I hope that no more will be heard of this trouble.
The party that worked by contract was entirely unable to overcome the difficulty by cleaning with sufficient rapidity, and cost $1,500 per month; doubling the force makes it $3,000 per month.
The new corps consists of one acting volunteer lieutenant and two acting masters, all experienced divers, with six men, whose pay I fixed for the time at $60 per month, making about $700 per month, or one- fourth the contract price.
So far as I can now judge, the measure gives every promise of the greatest advantage at low cost.
Still I do not propose to make any recommendation for the decision of the Department until the whole matter has been thoroughly tested by further experience; it is too important to be dealt with hastily.
14 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADKON.
All I can say is that I hope to have the monitors beyond the risk of disability very soon.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGKEN,
Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, II. S. Navy, regarding plan of torpedo and its trial.
No. 511.] FLAGSHIP PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C., October 13, 1864.
SIR: I am able to say that after much personal attention to the sub- ject a plan of torpedo has been arrived at which promises to work well, certainly better than any that I have seen. The trial was made with a torpedo of 100 pounds, and a huge column of water was thrown up so high that it wet those who were in my barge, as well as the boat that made the discharge.
In order to have some of these fit for use without delay, and not finding suitable material here for a rapid production of a number, I have dispatched an officer to New York for a few da^ys in order to obtain some parts of the more important detail.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Report of Rear- Admiral Dalilgren, U. S. Navy, stating cause of delay ^n forwarding information regarding Confederate works and obstruc- tions in Charleston Harbor.
No. 514.] FLAGSHIP PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal, October 13, 1864.
SIR: The directions* of the Department in relation to the batteries, etc. , about Charleston Harbor were duly received, but there has not been time at the departure of this (the first) steamer to prepare fully the information required.
I have remained here to await the arrival of Rear-Admiral Farragut, so as to deliver to him the confidential communication of the Department.
1 have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGPJEN. Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
*See October 3, 1864, Welles to Dahlgren.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 15
Report of Captain Green, U. 8. Navy, senior office?' off Charleston, regarding a Confederate torpedo boat seen near Fort Moultrie.
U. S. SLOOP JOHN ADAMS,
Off Morris Island, South Carolina, October 13, 186 1^. SIR: General Harclee communicated by flag of truce yesterday, declining to make the exchanges offered by Ensign Dichman on the llth instant, and wishes hereafter to have exchanges made at Port Royal Ferry, according to agreement.
On the night of the llth instant a torpedo craft was seen by our picket boats off Sullivan's Island, near Fort Beauregard, and was also seen by the lookout at Gregg, at daylight on the following morning, steaming up to and around Moultrie Point.
*******
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. GREEN,
Captain and Senior Officer off Charleston.
Rear- Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C.
Report of Acting Master Gillespie, U. S. Nairy, commanding U. S. bark Braziliera, regarding expedition up White Oak Creek and in Satilla River, Georgia, October 13-15, 1864..
U. S. BARK BRAZILIERA,
/St. Simon's Sound, Georgia, October W, 1864-
SIR: On the night of the 13th instant I went in charge of an expe- dition nip the White Oak River [Creek], with two boats from my vessel and one from the Mary Sanford. We succeeded in securing 50 negroes belonging to J. Morrison, a planter. During the time two of my men, in some manner, became detached from me. I waited, and sent two officers to search for them, as long as I considered it prudent. I then proceeded with the boats to the Mary Sanford, which was lying at Penniman's Mills, Satilla River, and while proceeding up the river the rebels tired on the steamer, killing Peter Collins, my pilot. On the 15th I returned to the bark.
On the 17th Edward Sheridan, one of the men, returned and reported Charles Thompson, the other man, a prisoner in the hands of the Confederates. The cause of this misfortune originated in these two men having found some liquor. When Thompson became intoxi- cated he went back to the house after plunder. Sheridan made the best of his way to the vessel in a canoe he found on the marshes.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. T. GILLESPIE, Acting Master, Commanding. Rear- Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
16 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Report of Acting Master Kempton, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S, 8.
Mary Sanford, regarding expedition in Satilla River, Georgia,
October 13-15, 1864.
U. S. S. MARY SANFORD, /St. Andrew's Sound, Georgia, October 16, 1864-
SIR: I respectiull}7 report going up the Big Satilla River with my command on the evening of the 13th instant, drove the pickets from Penniman's Mills, and anchored for the night at that place to wait for the return of Acting Master Gillespie, commanding the U. S. bark Braziliera, who had gone up the White Oak River [Creek] with two boats and 20 men from his command and 1 boat and 2 officers and 10 men from this vessel, to take the negroes from Captain John Morri- son's plantation that were harvesting corn at that place for the Con- federate soldiers stationed in that neighborhood.
Captain Gillespie returned in safety to this vessel on the morning of the 14th instant, bringing with him all the negroes from the Morrison plantation, forty-seven in number. Having learned that there was a large quantity of corn and rice stored at the town of Jeffersonton, on the river 12 miles above Penniman's Mills, in transit to Savannah, for the Confederate Government, taking with me Captain Gillespie, his pilot, men, and boats, at 2:30 p. m. got underway and proceeded up the river. While passing Yellow Bluff was h'red upon by a company of cavalry that was secreted behind trees and in the grass. They were driven from their hiding place in five minutes with canister and shrap- nel, and as they were not over 200 yards from our guns they must have been punished severely. I regret to state that the fourth shot fired at us instantly killed Peter Collins, our pilot, the ball passing through his bod}7 near the heart. The killing of Mr. Collins is the only casualty that happened during the fire of the enemy. We passed above the bluff about a mile. Having lost our pilot, 1 was obliged to abandon further proceedings and return down the river. While pass- ing Yellow Bluff the enemy did not show themselves. We anchored for the night at the mouth of WThite Oak River [Creek]. On the morn- ing of the 15th instant we returned down the river, and round to St. Simon's, landed the contrabands at that place, and buried the corpse of Mr. Collins in due form. Mr. Collins was a brave officer, and died at his post. His death is very much lamented by the officers and crew of the U. S. bark Braziliera and this vessel.
My officers, men, and myself are all anxious for a pilot, so that we can raid on these rivers when an opportunity offers. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Z. KEMPTON, Acting Master, Commanding.
Rear- Admiral JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
17
Distribution of vessels of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
October 15, 1864.
|
Vessel. |
Station. |
Remarks. |
|
Murrell's Inlet |
||
|
Potomska |
Georgetown |
|
|
Do .. |
Cape Remain |
|
|
* Mangham |
Bull's Bay |
|
|
Canandaigua |
Charleston |
|
|
Pontiac |
do |
Do. |
|
Mingoe |
do |
Do. |
|
Flambeau |
do |
Do. |
|
Acacia |
do |
Do. |
|
Wamsutta |
do |
Do. |
|
Azalea |
do |
Do |
|
T.in.hiirniini . ... ... |
.do |
Do |
|
Patapsco |
.. ..do ... |
Inside the bar. |
|
Sangamon |
do. |
Do |
|
Nantucket . ... |
do |
Do |
|
Lehigh |
...do |
Do. |
|
Homo |
do |
Do |
|
* Bruen |
do |
Do. |
|
* Adams |
do |
Do. |
|
Clover |
do |
Do. |
|
Dandelion |
do |
Do |
|
Geranium |
do |
Do |
|
Gladiolus |
do ... |
Do |
|
Catalpa . |
do |
Do |
|
Montauk |
do |
Inside the bar' repairing |
|
McDonough |
Stono |
|
|
*Smith |
do |
|
|
Stettin |
North Edisto |
|
|
* Percy Dravton |
do |
Tender. |
|
* Saratoga |
St. Helena |
|
|
* Williams |
... .do |
|
|
*Wild Cat |
.do. |
Tender. |
|
*New Hampshire . . |
Port Royal |
|
|
Philadelphia |
do |
|
|
Pettit |
.. do. |
|
|
Larkspur. |
do |
|
|
Arethusa |
...do... |
|
|
Chatham |
...do... |
|
|
* Hough ton |
do |
|
|
*Orvetta |
do |
|
|
Carnation |
... .do |
|
|
South Carolina . |
Tybee Island |
|
|
Memphis |
... do |
|
|
* Swift .. |
do |
Tender. |
|
Passaic |
Wassaw Sound |
|
|
Wissahickon |
do |
|
|
* Thunder |
do |
Tender. |
|
Flag |
Ossabaw |
|
|
Winona |
do |
|
|
Jonquil |
do |
• |
|
* Fernandina . .. |
St. Catherine's |
|
|
Lodona |
Sapelo |
|
|
* Allen .. |
Dobov |
|
|
* Griffith |
Altamaha |
|
|
*Braziliera |
St. Simon's |
|
|
Sanford |
St. Andrew's |
|
|
* Perry |
Fernandina |
|
|
Ottawa |
St. John's |
|
|
Norwich |
do |
|
|
Hale |
do |
|
|
Mosquito [Inlet] |
||
|
Catskill . . . |
Port Royal |
Repairing. |
|
Nahant . |
do |
Do. |
|
Pawnee . |
do |
Do. |
|
Dai Ching |
do . . .. |
Do. |
|
Nipsic. |
.do |
Do. |
|
Sonoma |
do |
Do. |
|
* Racer |
do |
Do. |
|
*Para |
do |
Do. |
|
Sweet Brier |
...do... |
Do. |
|
Daffodil |
do |
Do. |
|
Amaranthus |
...do... |
Do, |
|
Camelia |
do |
Do. |
|
Hydrangea |
...do... |
Do. |
|
* Lightning |
do |
Repairing; tender. |
|
* George. W. Rodgers |
do |
Repairing. |
|
* Ward |
do |
Do. |
|
Cimarron . . |
...do... |
Disabled. |
* Sailing vessels.
N W R — VOL 16-
18
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Distribution of vessels of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron October IS, 1864 —
Continued.
|
Vessel. |
Station. |
Remarks. |
|
Port Royal |
Coaling. |
|
|
* Valparaiso |
...do . .. |
Hospital ship. |
|
do |
Health ship. |
|
|
Relieve and communicate. |
||
|
Harvest Moon |
Special dutv. |
|
|
* Hope |
Do. |
|
|
Oleander |
Southern stations with stores. |
|
|
North. |
||
|
Marblehead |
North for repairs. |
|
|
Do. |
||
|
Seneca |
Do. |
|
|
Do. |
||
|
Unadilla |
Do. |
|
|
Chippewa |
Do. |
|
|
Rescue |
Do. |
|
|
Do. |
||
|
* Midnight . ... |
Do. |
|
|
Paul Jones |
Do. |
|
|
Mahaska |
Do. |
|
|
* Supply |
Do. |
|
|
Weena'vken |
Sunk or stranded. |
|
|
Housa tonic |
|
Do. |
|
* Kingfisher |
Do. |
|
|
Madgie |
Do. |
|
|
Water Witch |
Captured. |
|
|
Columbine... |
Do. |
* Sailing vessels.
JOHN A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral^ Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Letter from tlie /Secretary of the Navy to commanders of squadrons regarding tlie proposed importation of foreigners for the Confederate Army.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 17, 1864,.
SIR: It is reported that an agreement has been effected between the rebel Government and some European power (Poland, it is intimated), by which 30,000 soldiers from abroad are to be added to the rebel Army, and that the rebel Government are making arrangements for having built in England some tifty swift steamers, similar to the Colonel Lamb, for the purpose of running these soldiers through the blockade.
The Department places little confidence in rumors regarding a scheme so impracticable in almost every feature, and should such be contemplated, we will, without doubt, hear something reliable of it hereafter. In the meantime, however, I communicate the report to 3Tou for your information.
Very respectfully, etc.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy. Rear- Admiral JNO. A. DAHLGREN,
Comdg. South Atlantic Blkdg. Squadron, Port Royal, 8. C. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER,
Comdg. North Atlantic Blkdg. Squadron, Hampton Roads. Rear- Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT,
Comdg. West Gulf Squadron, Mobile Bay. Acting Rear- Admiral C. K. STRIBLING,
Comdg. East Gulf Blkdg. Squadron, Key West.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADEON. 19
Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Rear- Admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding the U. S. S. Cambridge.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 18, 1864.
SIR: Order the U. S. S. Cambridge* to proceed off Charleston and report to Rear-Admiral Dahlgren for duty in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Very respectfully, etc.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rear- Admiral D. D. PORTER,
Comdg. North Atlantic Blkdq. Squadron, Hampton Roads.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Acting Master Crosby, U. S. Navy, to proceed to Savannah River and adjacent sounds for the collection of sailors'1 votes.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, October 19, 186 J,.
SIR: You will proceed with the U. S. S. Harvest Moon under your command to Savannah River, Wassaw, Ossabaw, Sapelo, and Doboy, and communicate with the vessels there, in order to collect the " sailors' votes" already distributed for that purpose. A number of ballots will be given you, in order to enable the men to vote.
The commanders of vessels will give you every facility, and endorse
on your order the time of your arrival and departure at each station.
No detention must occur, as the time is short. It is supposed you
can accomplish this purpose in two days or three at the furthest, but
sooner if possible.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Acting Master J. K. CROSBY,
Comdg. U. S. S. Harvest Moon, Port Royal Harbor.
Detailed report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, of latest infor- mation regarding the Confederate works and obstructions in Charles- ton Harbor.
No. 520.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C., October 19, 1864.
SIR: Conformably to the wishes of the Department, I transmit here- with a Coast-Survey planf of Charleston Harbor, upon which are marked positions of the several rebel batteries, so far as I am informed.
There is no uncertainty as to their positions, except those of two or three small works that lie near the shore on the left hand (going up), beyond Fort Johnson.
*The U. S. S. Cambridge did not leave the Norfolk navy yard until Februarys, 1865. She arrived off Charleston, S. C., February 12, 1865". t For map of approaches to Charleston see Series I, volume 14.
20 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
They are not seen from any of our vessels, and there are no means, therefore, of verifying the different reports, but they are placed with as much correctness as the information admits of. All the batteries noted by yellow labels are derived from the examination of deserters and refugees, and coincide with those marked on a chart for me in December, 1863, by Major Abert, chief engineer of this department, except the battery at Haddrell's Point and the battery at Chisolm's Mills, on the Ashley River, and that at the foot of Calhoun street, on the Cooper River. 1 have omitted the battery on that part above James [Island] Creek, as I never heard of it, and have placed that at Wappoo farther back. Major Abert has a battery at a wharf next above White Point, which is probably intended for the English gun.
The armament of the different works is variously reported as to caliber and even number, but not beyond what ma}7 be reasonably expected from uneducated observers not too much interested at the time in what is before their e}res. Taken together, they fix the num- ber and kind of guns quite as well as soldiers or sailors usually do, and furnish a fair representation of the force to be encountered.
The following may be accepted as my own impressions from the best accounts of the defenses of the harbor, forming one well connected whole, but divisible into three groups, each consisting of a principal work and its accessories: the outer batteries, the middle batteries, and those of the city.
The outer defenses.
The west portion of Sullivan's Island looks directly upon the main channel as it bends up from the roads (where our ironclads anchor) and passes into the lower harbor. This is strongly fortified and its heav}' batteries occupy the whole ground.
First, at the extreme inner end of the island, is Battery Bee, which mounts seven cannon, all heavy. One is said to be an Xl-inch and the others columbiads (of course Vlll-inch or X-inch guns).
Fort Moultrie is placed at the angle of the island, where it juts out farthest into the channel, and has a free sweep of the water in almost any direction that is accessible to large vessels. It is said to mount eighteen cannon, rifled and smoothbore. What is their exact caliber I am not informed. I have been under their fire several times and know them to be very heavy.
The distance between Battery Bee and Fort Moultrie is from 600 to 700 yards, and they are connected by a continuous parapet, behind which are batteries at two points. The first of these is just outside of Fort Moultrie and has three mortars.
Farther on, toward Battery Bee, is a battery, which some deserters say is called Batteiy Marion, the caliber of which I have not heard from good authority.
Next to Fort Moultrie, eastwardl}*, is a battery said to be called Rutledge. It has four guns, two Vlll-inch columbiads and one X-inch cqlumbiad, and also one X-inch columbiad said to be rifled and throw- ing a shot of 300 pounds.
Fort Beauregard, about 1,500 yards east of Fort Moultrie; one face extends across the island and looks along it to the eastward, as if to defend it from any attack in that direction. There is only a 2-i-pounder on this front, and that near the rear beach. There is a front seaward, where are mounted seven cannon, calibers heavy, but only a 7-inch rifle and an Vlll-inch howitzer that are remembered.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 21
There are no batteries in the rear of the site of the Moultrie House, but the space between the Moultrie House and Fort Moultrie is chiefly occupied by Battery Rutledge, which has live heavy guns. One is a 10-inch rifle (shot said to weigh 300 pounds), and another is an VIII- inch columbiad. The other ones are not known. A platform is said to be in construction for the 700-pounder now in the city.
Between Battery Rutledge and Fort Beauregard are two or three siege guns, and there is a battery of two mortars between Fort Moul- trie and Battery Rutledge.
The works from Fort Beauregard to the east end of Sullivan's Island I do not consider as having any important bearing on the approaches to the harbor by the main Ship Channel, but they control the channel leading along Sullivan's Island and prevent our boats and light steamers from effecting a perfect blockade there, and also pre- vent our landing on the east end of the island and engineering the rebels out of their works on the western end.
Battery Marshall, which is located at the easterly extreme of Sul- livan's Island, defends it on three sides from light-[draftj vessels which alone can approach it. It has ten guns; two are VHI-mch columbiads, two are rifled 32-pounders, and the remainder are of small caliber, but are sufficient to keep boats and light vessels from approaching seaward or by Breach Inlet, or the interior channels.
Between Battery Marshall and Fort Beauregard, at regular inter- vals of 600 or 700 yards, are four small batteries, each mounting two 32-pounders, smoothbore.
The works which may be considered as immediate auxiliaries of those on Sullivan's Island in defending the main channel are —
First. A battery on Mount Pleasant which has two. 10-inch guns. These would enfilade vessels in front of and attacking Battery Bee.
Second. The ruins of Fort Sumter, which, if the concurrent testi- mony of five or six intelligent deserters can be relied on, has three or four heavy cannon on the channel front in the embrasures of the lower casemates nearest the angle. On the 21st July General Foster and myself made as good an examination as was possible at a distance of 1,500 37ards from the deck of a monitor; two open embrasures were visible on the lower tier near the north angle, but no cannon. If they were mounted, they must have been run in. The work has generally had a garrison of 250 men. By means of musketry and field guns they could keep the monitors' decks clear as they passed, or prevent the men from making any effort to clear away light obstruc- tions which might otherwise foul the propellers, and they would also make it difficult to navigate the channel by keeping the leadsmen and pilots as well as the officers engaged in maneuvering the monitors.
Fort Johnson and its contiguous batteries constitute the
Middle group of defensive works.
Fort Johnson is represented by deserters to consist of two batter- ies, Tynes and Hoteten [Harleston], each mounting four cannon. The former has two X-inch columbiads and two rifles, one 8-inch and the other 10-inch. Battery Holsten [Harleston] has three X-inch colum- biads and a 7 or 8 inch rifle.
On the right of Fort Johnson runs out toward Morris Island a long, narrow spit of sand, on which are three small works, known as Battery
22 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Simkins. The armament of these has been variously stated. 1 have it as four mortars, one 7-inch rifle, and two 32-pounders, with a 7 or 8 inch rifle in a small adjacent work.
One thousand yards to the rear of Fort Johnsort is Battery Cheves. Its force I do not know. 1 presume it looks right and left of Fort John- son and also upon it. Hitherto it has been used to flank our batteries on Morris Island.
In front of Fort Johnson, distant about 1,700 yards, and on the other side of the channel, is Fort Ripley, a small work on the shoal with two heavy guns, columbiads.
Along the shore to the left of Fort Johnson, and before reaching the city, are certainly two works.
The first is Battery Wampler, with two X-inch columbiads. The next is Battery Glover, with one rifle and two smoothbores. The exact location of Batteries Wampler and Glover is derived entirely from reports of deserters. They can not be seen from any of our positions on the water.
There is also said to be a third battery farther on, but this side of the city, the accounts of which are so indefinite that I can do no more than state its probable locality.
The city batteries constitute the remaining defenses of the place.
The principal work is Battery Ramsay, at White Point, the extreme angle of the city, where the two rivers (Cooper and Ashley) unite.
All accounts of refugees and deserters concur that the armament of this work is considerable, but they differ as to the number and caliber of the guns, as follows, which will also exemplif}^ the variety of state- ments made in respect to other batteries:
|
U. S. gun. |
1 Xl-inch. |
1 Xl-inch. |
1 Xl-inch. |
|
1 X-inch. |
1 X-inch. |
1 8-inch rifle. |
4 columbiads. |
|
1 rifle. |
1 VUI-inch. |
4 X-inch columbiads. |
2 X-inch columbiads. |
|
3 VHI-inch columbiads. |
3 X-inch columbiads. |
||
|
1 8-inch rifle. |
|||
|
6 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
In the main, these accounts agree as well as can be expected from such sources, and with sufficient accuracy for all practical purposes.
One of the English 700-pounders was placed here, but gave way under a few discharges, and was dismounted.
On the left of the White Point battery, about 1,000 yards up the Cooper River, at Frazier's Wharf, foot of Cumberland street, is the other 700-pounder (13i-inch rifle).
At the wharf of Laurens street is a battery which, according to one person, has one X-inch columbiad, and according to another, has four guns.
At the wharf of Calhoun street is a battery which, according to one person, has one X-inch columbiad, and according to another, some rifled 32-pounders.
In the northerly extreme of the city, looking upon Cooper River, but not immediately upon it, is another battery, generally spoken of by deserters as the Half Moon battery. It is said to mount two columbiads.
On the Ashley River, first above White Point, is a battery atChisolm\s Kills, foot of Tradd street. It is spoken of as Battery Waring, and
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 23
has two "columbiads, both of X-inch, or one of VHI-inch and one of X-inch.
Farther up, where the bridge crosses the river, above the Savannah Railroad, are said to be batteries; one in the city, commanding the bridge, and another on the opposite side of the river, at the railroad terminus.
The third work is placed at Wappoo Creek. The information in regard to these three batteries is very scanty and general.
Castle Pinckney is in more immediate connection with the works on the Cooper side of the river. It was originally very weak, but it is said to be much improved. Its armament is said to be one X-inch, one IX-inch, and one 42-pounder, but this and its state of defense is imperfectly known.
A work has been erected on the northerly side of the harbor, at Haddrell's Point, 2^400 yards northeast of Castle Pin«kney. This is well seen from our positions, with its single gun, which is said to be a rifled 32-pounder.
In the foregoing I have placed before the Department the informa- tion upon which I should act in attacking the city or harbor, so far as the batteries are concerned.
Ironclads.
The rebel ironclads must be considered as movable batteries, and as such necessarily constitute a part of the defenses of Charleston and its harbor.
The choice of positions lies, of course, with the enemy, and no antici- pation can be formed of the exact position where they may choose to use them. There are three actually in commission: the Chicora, Palmetto State, and Charleston, all of the same model, in which they resemble the Merrimack, Atlanta, and Tennessee. The accounts of those who have served in them generally concur in essential points.
The Charleston is the best, and is said to be about the size of the Atlanta. She is similarly plated, and can go 6 or 7 knots. She has six guns, two 8-inch rifles and four rifled 42-pounders, with a crew of 140 men.
The Chicora is smaller; goes 4 knots with a clean bottom, and has four guns, one 8- inch rifle forward and one aft, with a IX-inch Dahl- gren on each side, and a crew of 60 men.
The Palmetto State is somewhat better than the Chicora in size and speed, with the same style of battery.
There is a fourth ironclad, called the Ashley, or Columbia, and said to be a finer vessel than the Charleston, preparing for service, and nearly ready.
Torpedo boats.
The rebels are said to have a number of these in Charleston, and the possible use of them should not pass unconsidered in the confusion of a general attack.
Obstructions.
In this sort of defense I would include all kinds of booms, nettings, rafts, etc.
The information which has been obtained in regard to them is more uncertain, because they can be made and placed, so as to avoid the common eye, and all knowledge of them which is valuable is limited to a few persons.
24 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
The only obstructions which were ever plainly in view were the piles extending in a row across the middle ground opposite Fort John- son. The buoys of the submerged rope nettings, between Forts Sumter and Moultrie, were also distinctly visible for some time after the capture of Morris Island, and on the d&y that I first entered with the ironclads a small vessel was seen busily occupied between the forts, no doubt in placing these obstructions.
Our scout boats gradually removed the buoys and the nettings, but it is reported that some obstructions have again been extended from Fort Sumter partially across the channel.
The heavy boom of railroad iron that existed in the harbor was never well understood until the winter freshets washed away parts of it, and they floated down the channel among the vessels, where they were towed or drifted ashore on Morris Island.
I never had an adequate idea of their character until I saw these fragments, nor do I believe anyone else had, excepting those who were • immediately concerned in their construction and use.
They consisted of bars of railroad iron connected at the ends by massive links. Each bar was about 21 feet long, and was cased nearly its whole length in 8 or 10 large logs, squared and well bound together by iron bands. If I remember rightly, as many as thirty of these bars went ashore on Morris Island, and I was present when a number of them were drawn up on the beach, still linked together. The whole formed a barrier nearly submerged, perfectly articulated by means of the links, and not only difficult to overcome, but dangerous to strike at full speed.
I knew generally that there were obstructions in the channel beyond those of rope, near Sumter, but 1 never could obtain the least particu- lar which would give an idea of what these barriers really were in their construction, nor where they were placed, and I have never seen anyone from the rebel side who knew as much of them as we saw after they were washed away, nor have I seen any person to this day who knew where those obstructions had been placed.
Of the construction of the torpedoes employed by the rebels we are well informed, but where they have been placed, or are now placed, no one could ever give any information, except a squad of men who fled to our picket monitors one night last February.
The}r haa belonged to the special department who are charged with this business, and had assisted in placing the torpedoes in the harbor and laying down the wires for the galvanic battery in one fort or another, but it was night when the work was done, and they could form no precise idea of the spot where the torpedoes were laid, and they differed so much among themselves in this respect that no useful facts could be obtained from their testimony.
They were only certain that steam boilers containing 1,000 and 2,000 pounds of powder were sunk in different places and the wires taken ashore, and that all kinds of torpedoes were changed frequently on account of deterioration by dampness.
Besides these heavy torpedoes, which are exploded by galvanic wires, there are smaller magazines made of barrels, with a fuze at the upper bilge, and conical shells attached to the arms of a floating cross and to frames tilted upward on one end from the bottom and placed 6 or 10 feet below the surface, exploding when struck by a heavy object, such as a vessel.
I think the Department will be satisfied upon a view of the locality
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 25
and its various defenses just enumerated, that when an attack on Charleston harbor is made, it should be made in full force.
To pass the rire of Sullivan's Island at 1,000 yards is only the pre- liminary; the real battle is to begin after this has been done, and it is almost indispensable that the result should be so favorable as to allow the fleet to remain in the harbor, otherwise no permanent resuU would be achieved, and the vessels must once more run the gantlet of fire from Sullivan's Island, this time less able to bear it and return it than before.
To enter, therefore, should mean to be entirely successful so far as regards the inner batteries. For which reason I would suggest that the attack be made in full force.
Last year the Department had but 12 ironclads available or expected to be. Now it has 11 of one turret and 4 of two turrets, besides the Ironsides, leaving the Roanoke, Onondaga, and Atlanta to keep the James — say 46 guns in all.
In order that an attack should be productive of the utmost advantage, it should be made simultaneously by land and sea. The ironclads can not spare a man to secure any advantage they may gain by their fire.
Considering the very reduced number of the rebel troops and the strength of the works, together with the need we have of all our force elsewhere, I was under the impression that 10,000 men (veter- ans) might suffice; but an officer of our Army, just escaped from Charleston, thinks 15,000 troops would be needed, and as he has had an opportunity of traversing the city and its vicinity in rebel uniform, his opinion is more reliable.
In making these suggestions, I am entirely at a loss to shape them by the views which the Department may have formed on the subject, but I think the Department will find that they will stand the test of the event.
In conclusion, the Department may be assured that when it shall decide on the attack, it will be my earnest desire to leave no effort untried to realize its utmost wishes and my own.
I have the honor to be, very respectf ully, your obedient servant,
• J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral^ Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. 8. Navy, to Acting Ensign Noyes, U. S. Navy, to assume command of U. S. S. Catalpa.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., October 20. 1864.
SIR: You are hereby detached from the U. S. S. Daffodil and will proceed by the first conveyance to the anchorage off Charleston, and on your arrival you will report to the senior officer present for com- mand of the U. S. S. Catalpa. relieving Acting Ensign Edgren. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Acting Ensign A. K. NOTES, U. S. Navj,
U. S. S. Dafodil, Port Royal Harbor, S. C.
26 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Coiiimander Thomp- son, U. S. Navy, to proceed to duty as senior officer in Stono Inlet.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, 8. C., October 21, 1864.
SIR: You will proceed by the first conveyance to Stono Inlet, and on your arrival assume command as senior officer at that place, relieving Lieutenant-Commander J. C. Chaplin, commanding U. S. S. Commodore McDonough, to which vessel you will be temporarily attached.
It will be important to keep a watchful eye on any movements or preparation that the rebels may make, so that if at any time a move is contemplated in that direction the best information may be obtainable. This will only be perfectly done when not known to the rebels. Let the boats scout at night, and let scouts be landed occasionally on John's Island and pass up above Grimball's house, along the wood above it, where a good view is had of Battery Pringle.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Commander EGBERT THOMPSON, U. S. Navy,
U. S. Ship New Hampshire.
Order of Captain Green, U. 8. Navy, to Lieutenant- Commander Luce, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pontiac, to perform duty as con- voy to army transport carrying prisoners of war.
U. S. SLOOP JOHN ADAMS, Off Morris Island, S. C., October 21, 1864.
SIR: You will be pleased to convoy an army transport, with prisoners of war on board, from this anchorage to Fort Pulaski, and from thence proceed to Port Royal and report to Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, or in the event of his absence to the senior officer present, for repairs. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. GREEN, Captain and Senior Officer off Charleston.
Lieutenant-Commander S. B. LUCE,
Commanding U. S. S. Pontiac, off Charleston, S. C.
Letter from Hear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to collector of cus- toms, Hilton Head, S. C. , regarding the exchange of the prize schooner Julia for the sloop Jerry Angel.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., October SI, 186 4.
SIR: The schooner Julia was rigged and fitted up by the U. S. gun- boat Paul Jones last year, having been one of the numerous small prizes captured in this squadron (date unknown). She has been in the pos- session of the United States naval forces for over a year, having been used as a dispatch boat between different stations.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
27
On the 23d September, 1864, she was exchanged for the sloop Jerry Angel at North Edisto, of which John Newman was owner, because the latter was better suited for the particular service of dispatch. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
T. C. SEVERANCE, Esq.,
Collector, etc., Custom -House, Hilton Head.
Distributifm of vessels of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
October 22, 1864.
|
Vessel. - |
Station. |
Remarks. |
|
Murrell's Inlet |
||
|
Potomska |
Georgetown |
|
|
Do. |
Oape Romain |
|
|
*Mangham |
Bull's Bay |
|
|
Adger |
Charleston |
Outside the bar |
|
Wamsutta |
do |
Do. |
|
Sonoma |
do |
Do. |
|
Flambeau |
do |
Do. |
|
Mingoe . . |
do |
Do. |
|
Laburnum . |
. .do |
Do. |
|
Acacia ... |
.do.. |
Do. |
|
Azalea . |
do |
Do. |
|
Patapsco |
do |
Inside the bar |
|
Sangamon |
...do... |
Do. |
|
Nantucket |
do |
Do. |
|
Catskill ^. |
do |
Do. |
|
Home |
do |
Do. |
|
* Bruen |
do |
Do. |
|
* Adams |
do |
Do. |
|
Clover |
do |
Do. |
|
Dandelion |
do |
Do. |
|
Geranium |
..do . .. |
Do. |
|
Gladiolus |
do |
Do |
|
Catalpa |
.do |
Do |
|
Amaranthus |
... .do ... |
Do. |
|
Hydrangea |
do |
Do. |
|
Montauk |
do |
Repairing. |
|
McDonough |
Stono |
|
|
*Smith '. |
do |
|
|
Stettin |
North Edisto |
|
|
* Percv Drayton |
do |
Tender. |
|
*Saratoga |
St. Helena. |
|
|
* Wild Cat |
do |
Tender. |
|
* New Hampshire |
Port Royal |
|
|
Philadelphia. . . |
do |
|
|
Pettit . . |
do |
|
|
Arethusa .... |
do |
|
|
Carnation |
do... |
|
|
* Houghton |
...do... |
|
|
*Orvetta. |
do |
|
|
South Carolina |
Tybee Island |
|
|
Memphis |
do... |
|
|
* Swift |
do |
Tender. |
|
* Williams |
do |
|
|
Passaic |
Wassaw Sound |
|
|
Wissahickon |
do... |
. |
|
* Thunder |
do |
Tender. |
|
Flag |
||
|
Winona |
do... |
|
|
Jonquil >. |
do |
|
|
* Femandina |
||
|
Lodona , |
Sapelo |
|
|
* Allen |
Doboy |
|
|
*Griffith |
Altamaha |
|
|
*Braziliera |
St. Simon's |
|
|
Sanford |
St. Andrew's |
|
|
* Perrv |
Femandina |
|
|
Ottawa |
St. John's |
|
|
Norwich . . |
do |
|
|
Hale |
.do |
|
|
Mosquito flnletl . . |
* Sailing vessels.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADKON.
Distribution of vessels of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, October 22, 1864 —
Continued.
|
Vessel. |
Station. |
Remarks. |
|
Port Royal . ... |
Repairing |
|
|
...do ... |
Do. |
|
|
Pawnee |
do |
Do. |
|
...do... |
Do. |
|
|
Canandaigua |
... .do .... |
Do. |
|
Dai Ching |
do |
Do. |
|
Pontiac |
do... |
Do. |
|
* Para |
do |
Do. |
|
Sweet Brier |
...do... |
Do. |
|
Daffodil |
do |
Do. |
|
* Racer . |
...do... |
Do. |
|
do . |
Do. |
|
|
Larkspur . |
do |
Do. |
|
do. |
Repairing; tender |
|
|
Camelia |
do |
Repairing. |
|
do |
Do. |
|
|
* Ward . . |
... .do |
Do. |
|
Cimarron |
...do... |
Disabled. |
|
* Valparaiso |
.. ..do. |
Hospital ship. |
|
* Norfolk Packet |
do |
Health ship. |
|
Iris |
Relieve and communicate |
|
|
Harvest Moon |
Special duty. |
|
|
* Blunt |
Do. |
|
|
* Hope |
Do. |
|
|
Oleander |
Southern stations with stores |
|
|
Wabash |
North. |
|
|
Marblehead |
North for repairs. |
|
|
Mohawk .... |
Do. |
|
|
Seneca |
Do. |
|
|
Huron . |
Do. |
|
|
Ilnadilla |
Do. |
|
|
New Ironsides |
Do. |
|
|
* Midnight |
Do. |
|
|
Paul Jones |
Do. |
|
|
Mahaska |
Do. |
|
|
Chippewa |
Do. |
|
|
Rescue |
Do. |
|
|
* Supply |
Do. |
|
|
Weehawken |
Sunk or stranded |
|
|
Housatonic |
Do. |
|
|
* Kingfisher |
Do. |
|
|
M adgie |
Do. |
|
|
Water Witch |
Captured. |
|
|
Columbine |
Do. |
|
* Sailing vessels.
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading SqiKtdron.
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, acknowledging the delayed arrival of the Departments confidential dispatch, "
FLAGSHIP PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, October %%, 1864.
SIR: I have to inform the Department that only last evening I received the confidential dispatch dated the 9th September. It is marked on the envelope, via Bermuda, and mailed Key West, October 8. As the Bermuda was off Charleston on the 14th September with a draft of men, I presume the document went with her by mistake to Key West.
However, I only received it last night, and it is said to have come by the revenue cutter Tioga, which left New York on the 15th October and arrived yesterday.
The Department may be assured that nothing transpires from me of the intended movement, as no one but myself has seen the docu- ments of the Department and the replies are written by myself.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADKON. 29
Rear-Admiral Farragut has not arrived here yet, and to avoid delay in meeting him I remain at this place.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. G. WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Com- mander Stone, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cimarron, to assume command of the Savannah blockade.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., October %%, 1864.
SIR: You will proceed as soon as the weather permits, with the Cimarron under your command, to Savannah River and take charge of the blockade at that place.
You will obtain from the senior officer present all the information that will be useful in carrying on this duty and in keeping a vigilant eye on the movements of the enemy and the condition of his defenses. Send scouts to the front to observe the state of the same. You will forward to me all deserters and information without delay. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Lieutenant-Commander E. E. STONE,
Commanding U. S. S. Cimarron, Port Royal, S. C.
Chasing ashore of the British steamer jfrlora, off Fort Moultrie, Octo- ber n, 1864.
Report of Bear-Admiral Dahlgren. U. S. Navy, transmitting additional information.
No. 550.] FLAG -STEAMER HARVEST MOON,
Charleston Roads, November 5, 1864.
SIR: I enclose for your information a report in regard to the destruc- tion of a British blockade runner, said to be the Flora, on the night of the 22d, marking a passage as confidential, which it is important should not be known to the rebels.
Since that, another vessel attempting to come out was driven back by the inside blockade.
I do not recognize in the consular dispatches any account of the above vessel.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
30 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Report of Captain Green, U. S. Navy, senior officer off Charleston.
U. S. SHIP JOHN ADAMS, Off Morris Island, South Carolina, October 31, 186 J^.
SIR: I have respectfully to report that the blockade runner which was run aground off Moultrie on the night of the 22d instant by the picket launches was the Flora, with an assorted cargo, which was mostly lost, according to an intercepted rebel telegraphic dispatch.*
The proceedings of the outside blockade to intercept her are stated in the accompanying reports of Commander Patterson and command- ing officers of vessels who saw her on her passage in.
The Mingoe, the fleetest vessel on the blockade, failed to fire a gun or to slip her cable to go in pursuit of her.
The inside picket launches discovered her in good season and opened fire on, and causing her to run aground on the southern bank of Maffit's Channel; up to this time everything was well done by the inside blockade.
Immediately after she grounded, Acting Master Ricker proceeded to the Patapsco and informed Lieutenant-Commander Madigan, com- manding the advance picket monitor, of the fact of the steamer being aground. She remained aground until daylight unmolested, when the advanced monitors opened fire upon her and were soon after followed by the batteries on Morris Island.
I endeavored to have her set on fire, but failed to accomplish it, owing chiefly to the shallow and rough water on the bar where she was grounded. I also directed that an attempt should be made to capture a rebel boat which, 1 learned from an intercepted rebel dis- patch forwarded to me by Brigadier-General Scammon, intended visiting the wreck on the night of the 25th instant. This project also failed.
From the best information 1 can obtain, I am of the opinion that Mr. Gitford did his whole duty in a highly creditable manner, and that if he had had the cooperation of five or six men like himself more would probably have been accomplished.
1 would not recommend any further investigation of the proceedings of the inside blockade, as this was the first experience of the parties in an affair of this kind, and I have no doubt they will do better on the recurrence of a similar opportunity.
I also enclose herewith reportsf from Lieutenant-Commanders Mad- igan and Barrett. Lieutenant-Commander Lewis omitted, previous to his departure from this anchorage, to forward to me his report agreeably to my directions, and I would suggest that he may be directed to forward it to you.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. GREEN, Captain and Senior Officer off Charleston.
Rear-Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
*It is very important that the rebels should not [know] that we intercept their telegrams. — J. A. D. t Not found.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADEON. 31
Report of Commander Creighton, IT. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mingoe.
U. S. S. MlNGOE,
Off Charleston, 8. C., October 24, 1864.
SIR: On the evening of the 22d, about 9 o'clock, off to the north- ward of the inner buoy of Rattlesnake Shoal, a gun was fired by the Wamsutta at a blockade runner. She passed us so quickly inshore that before I could slip or get my broadside to bear she was out of sight. This being the first blockader we had seen at night, it created confusion, which dela}red the promptness which would have otherwise effectually stopped her. The officer then in charge of the deck was Acting Master Talknan, had only reported the day previous for duty, and was inexperienced in regard to the details of orders regarding blockade runners.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. BLAKELEY CREIGHTON,
Commander. Commander T. H. PATTERSON,
Senior Officer Offshwe Blockade.
Report of Commander Patterson, U. S. Navy, senior officer off Charleston Bar.
U. S. S. JAMES ADGER, Off Charleston Bar, October 25, 1864.
SIR: In reply to your communication of the 24:tb instant, about 9 p. m. of the 22d instant the Wamsutta discovered a blockade runner going inward. She immediately slipped, fired at her, and made the signal indicating a vessel going outward, which, though very soon recti- fied by her picket boat, created some confusion and uncertainty as to the course of the stranger. After firing our broadside at the blockade runner she was not seen again by the Wamsutta, being obscured by the smoke from the guns of the latter until she had run out of sight.
The Mingoe, the next vessel to the westward, saw but did not fire at the strange steamer, and Commander Creighton says in his report, " She passed in so quickly inshore that before I could slip or get my broadside to bear she was out of sight."
The Laburnum, lying in 2£ fathoms to the westward of the Mingoe, and heading at the time N. W., discovered right ahead the spray from the paddles of a steamer, without being able to distinguish the vessel; fired her port bow gun at, and then lost sight of her, slipped, stood inshore, and after standing in a short distance brought the strange steamer out from under the land and saw her for a moment bearing W. S. W.
The Geranium, to the southward and westward of the Laburnum, seeing the signal made by the Wamsutta and hearing the guns, weighed her anchor, stood inshore, and immediately after the Laburnum fired discovered the blockade runner on her port bow; fired two shots at, and then lost sight of her.
The Sonoma, with every preparation made, was at anchor to the southward and westward of Breach Inlet, with a picket boat inside of her, neither of which saw anything of the blockade runner.
The Acacia slipped and stood inshore, but failed to discover any- thing, and fired several shots at random.
32 • SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
The Azalea* the most western vessel, when the proper signal was made indicating a vessel "going inward," slipped, and after standing in a short distance discovered what appeared to be the spray from the paddles of a steamer and opened fire, but did not chase, as the object fired at was too far past her to cut her off.
About 10: 30 p. m. signal was made by the Wamsutta^s picket boat, vessel "going outward," but it was a false alarm, she having mistaken the Geranium^ which was underway in the vicinity, for a vessel run- ning the blockade.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. H. PATTERSON, Commander and Senior Officer Present off Charleston Bar.
Captain J. F. GREEN,
Senior Officer off Charleston.
Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Ames, TJ. S. Army, Third Rhode Island Artillery, Chief of Artillery, Department of the South.
OFFICE CHIEF OF ARTILLERY, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Morris Island, South Carolina, October %4-> 186 Jf..
SIR: I have the honor to report that at daylight on October 23 a large side- wheel iron steamer, with two smokestacks, was discovered ashore opposite Battery Rutledge, Sullivan's Island, she having run on a shoal at that point during the night. This vessel was painted lead color, was very long, and appeared to be of light draft. She is probably of about 700 tons burden. The first shot fired at her was from the picket monitor; Fort Putnam opened at the same time with two 30-pounder Parrotts, striking her on the quarter at the second shot. This was the first shot that struck the blockade runner from either army or navy. Batter}7 Chatfield opened with a 300-pounder Parrott; the third shell from this gun passed through the starboard wheelhouse into the vessel and exploded, tearing the wheel and wheelhouse all away and breaking up a large portion of her works amidships. Fort Strong opened with three 100-pounders, striking her many times in the hull and on her decks. The navy also kept up a fire upon the vessel from two monitors, doing'the steamer much damage.
The name of this vessel was the flora; she was, no doubt, running into Charleston at the time of getting aground. She now lies a com- plete wreck. This vessel was distant from Fort Putnam 2,700 yards, from Battery Chatfield 2,600 yards, and from Fort Strong 3,500 yards.
The following amount of ammunition was expended in destroying that steamer: Fort Putnam, 30-pounder shell, 38; 24-pounder shell, 22. Battery Chatfield, 300 pounder shell, 7. Fort Strong, 100-pounder shell, 77. Total, 144. Ninety -eight of these shell struck the vessel. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. AMES, Lieutenant- Colonel Third Rhode Island Art'tlh ry,
Chief of Artillery, Department oftJie South.
Lieutenant THOMAS J. ROBINSON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 83
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, regarding the com- pletion of Confederate torpedo boat at Savannah and the forward- ing of the same to Mobile.
No. 533.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, 8. C., October, %4, 1864.
SIR: Deserters recently arrived from Savannah report that a torpedo boat has just been finished at that place and immediately sent to Mobile by railroad, which it may be well to know there.
Also that the Union prisoners have been removed 18 miles from Savannah.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, }Tour obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Or dei' of Captain Green, U. S. Navy, to commanding officers of moni- tors regarding night signals furnisfied to the army.
U. S. SLOOP JOHN ADAMS,
Off Mofrw Island, South Carolina, October 27, 1864. The established night signals for "rams in sight and near" and "blockade runners going out" have been furnished to the army, which, in the event of either being seen at night, will be signalized from Cumming's Point to the advance monitors.
The commanding officer of each monitor will take a copy of this order.
J. F. GREEN, Captain and Senior Officer off Charleston.
COMMANDING OFFICERS OF MONITORS.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Captain Green, U. S. Navy, to furnish list of vessels that have passed or attempted to pass the blockade since August 1, 1864-
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, October %7, 1864.
SIR: 1 send you the Iris,' the Sweet Brier will follow by sunset. There is information of a gunboat in the Pedee nearly ready to come down to Georgetown with at least two heavy guns. Warn the flam- beau not to be surprised.
I shall send up there the Canandaigua or Pawnee as soon as either is ready, which may not be before Sunday next.
Please to send me a list of all vessels that have passed the blockade or have been prevented from doing so by being driven back or run ashore since August 1 last.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Captain JOSEPH F. GREEN,
Senior Office?* Present off Charleston.
N W R — VOL 16 3
34 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Report of Commander Crelghtwi, II. 8. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mingoe, regarding casualties to that vessel during a gale.
U. S. S. MiNGOE,
Off Charleston, S. C., October 28, 1864.
SIR: Last might, at 9:30, while at my station to the northward of Rattlesnake Shoal, in '6 fathoms of water, with a stormy wind from the southward and westward, with a heavy sea breaking where I laid, finding the ship drifting, I hove up my anchor to shift my berth in deeper water. While catting the anchor, a sea washed overboard the captain of the forecastle. I stopped, and while lowering a boat, struck heavily on the bottom. I succeeded in getting off and rescuing the man, but on the boat's return to the vessel she capsized and was lost, but the crew and all were got on board. Not knowing what damage I might have sustained, and [realizing] that my anchors were too light for the gale then blowing, 1 concluded to keep underway, and toward morning found my tiller was broken off from the rudder, to which it is joined by iron bands cast to the rudder. I succeeded in steering her with the iron tiller on the spar deck, but that broke. I have another, but with the iron tiller she steers so wildly that I do not think it safe, and, like the others, it may break at any moment. The engineer reports also that the working of the ship last night strained the expan- sion joint, scalding one of the men, and by the working of the hurri- cane deck broke the whistle pipe. The whole frame of the engine is loose. A further report from the engineer will be sent as soon as it can be made out.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. BLAKELEY CKEIGHTON,
Commander.
Commander T. H. PATTERSON,
/Senior Officer Outside Blockade.
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, regarding general matters pertaining to his command.
No. 543] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C., October 29, 1861>.
SIR: I beg leave to acknowledge having received the Department's communication of the 6th instant, enclosing copy of a dispatch* to the State Department, dated the 24th ultimo, relative to the arrival and departure of blockade runners at and from the blockaded ports, in which I observe that Charleston is included.
I regret to say that this represents about the best that can be done with the present force, when taken in connection with the blockade runners that have been driven back or destroyed. The Prince Albert, Mary Bowers, and the Constance have been stranded and sunk, as well as a fine large steamer which was driven ashore on the shoal side of the channel opposite Sullivan's Island on the 22d instant. The latter was principally effected by the picket boats.
I have been compelled for the want of something better to organize two divisions of these, and they, with the tugs, run close in by the batteries at night, at the risk of being pelted with grape.
*See Series I, volume 10, p. 477.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 35
The tug Amaranthus has just been sent down for repairs, an 8 or 10 inch shot having passed through her, and not far from her boilers.
in this connection I have also to acknowledge the receipt of the com- munication in regard to a design for passing in troops to reinforce the rebels.
I beg leave to say that the blockade of some of .the ports south of Ossabaw is very weak, such as St. Catherine's, Doboy, Altamaha, and St. Simon's, where the main channels are each held by a single sailing vessel, as the Department will see by the semimonthly returns, while on each side is a wide scope of water, accessible to light-draft steamers, such as run into Charleston. At Sapelo and St. Andrew's are steamers.
The blockade at Charleston monopolizes all the best vessels, and the continued service there keeps many of them under repair.
At this time, when most needed, four of the finest steamers are here in the hands of the mechanics: The Canandaigua, Pawnee, Pontiac, and Nipsic; also the Dai Ching and three large tugs, Amaranthus, Sweet Brier, and Camelia. The Laburnum has broken a fan of her propeller; and when these return, others demand attention.
The Cimarron is doing duty with one boiler, and when the James Adger goes I lose the best seagoing steamer, nearly as fast as the Pontiac and Mingoe, but capable of keeping the sea in any weather, and can carry at least thirty days' coal.
Georgetown will also require more force, as I have information that a gunboat is building in the Pedee, and may be expected down before long, said to carry eight guns, two of them heavy; so the Pawnee or Canandaigua must go there to blockade her.
1 had contemplated a move on the Georgetown batteries, and had examined the locality with a view thereto, but Commander Colvoco- resses, whom I had designed to bear a chief part, and had made the preliminary examination, being withdrawn, and then the Wabash with her large crew, I found it beyond my means.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgr en, U. S. Navy, to Commander Patter- son, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. James Adger, to proceed to duty at Wilmington, N. C.
FLAGSHIP PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, October %9, 1864.
SIR: The Navy Department informs me that the Cambridge* has been ordered here for duty.
When relieved by that vessel, you will, by order of the Navy Department, proceed without delay to the coast off Wilmington, N. C., and report to the senior officer present for duty in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Commander T. H. PATTERSON,
Senior Officer Present off Charleston Bar, Outer Blockade.
* The U. S. S. Cambridge arrived off Charleston February 12, 1865.
36 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADEON.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Commander Harri- son^ U. /S. Navy, enjoining vigilance against the escape of Confeder- ate gunboat from the Pedee River.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C\, October <29, 1864.
SIR: You will proceed with the Canandaigua under your command to the entrance of Winyah Bay and relieve the Pawnee, handing Com- mander Balch the enclosed order.
I have been informed that the rebels have built a gunboat on the Pedee, which may be expected to come down as soon as the river is high enough. She is said to be of light draft and to carry eight guns, of which two are X-inch.
The accounts may be exaggerated, but it is well to be prepared. You will take position in the channel and prevent the vessel from getting out to sea.
I wish you to send a boat occasionally to scout the shore to the Santee, and observe if any attempt is made to fortify North Island or South Island and inform me thereof by the first opportunity.
You will direct the Flambeau to return to Charleston and report for duty there, first receiving her pilot.
There is a fisherman on North Island who has given useful informa- tion, and may continue to do so; give him a ration if he is serviceable in this way.
You may rate the pilot, Prince Coit, at $60 per month. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Commander N. B. HARRISON, U. S. Navy,
Commanding U. 8. 8. Canandaigua.
[Enclosure.]
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, October W, 1864.
SIR: On the reporting of Commander Harrison, commanding the Canandaigua, you will transfer your pilot to that vessel and proceed to Charleston and report to the senior officer present for blockade duty there.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comd-g. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Commander G. B. BALCH,
Commanding U. S. S. Pawnee.
Detailed report of Captain Green, U. S. Navy^ senior officer off Charleston, regarding vessels that have passed or attempted to pass the blockade since August, 1864-
U. S. SLOOP JOHN ADAMS,
Off Morris Island, /South Carolina, October 31, 1864- SIR: In compliance with your order of the 27th instant, I respect- fully submit the following statement of vessels that are known to have
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 37
passed the blockade of this port or have been prevented from doing so since the 1st of August last:
August 9. At daylight a propeller steamer was discovered aground off Moultrie. She was set on fire and destroyed by shells from the Catskill and batteries on Morris Island. .She proved to be the Prince Albert, bound in.
August 31. The side-wheel steamer Mary Bowers, running in, struck the wreck of the Georgians off Long Island and sank. She was dis- covered by the outside fleet at daylight.
September 3. A large side- wheel steamer ran out through Maffitt's Channel. She was fired upon by the picket boats with musketry, and signal made inside "Blockade runner going out," but she was not seen by the outside vessels.
September 5. Steamer, outward bound, headed off and obliged to put back.
September 8. Deserters from Charleston report blockade runners Druid, Syren, Fox, and Stag inside.
September 9. Steamer ran out. She was fired upon repeatedly by the Amaranthus inside and by the Azalea outside and escaped.
October 5. A side-wheel steamer attempted to run out and was turned back by the picket launch.
October 6. At daylight a large side-wheel steamer was discovered sunk near the wreck of the Georgiana, off Long Island. She proved to be the Constance, and was bound in.
October 6. A side-wheel steamer attempted to run out and was driven back b}" the picket boats. A large screw steamer ran in and afterwards a side- wheel steamer ran out; neither were seen by the outside blockade.
October 8. A side-wheel steamer ran in and another was driven back by the picket launches; neither were seen outside.
October 1 9. A blockade runner made her appearance near Sumter, evidently with the intention of running out, and went up the harbor just before the moon rose.
October 22. A large side-wheel steamer, running in, was driven aground off Moultrie by the picket launches and the next day destroyed by shells from the monitors and the batteries on Morris Island. She proved to be the Flora. A steamer also attempted to run out, but turned back.
October 24. A steamer attempted to run out, but turned back. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. GREEN, Captain and Senior Officer off Charleston,.
Rear- Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Swann, U. S. Navy, to assume command of the U. S. S. Lodona, at Sapelo.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. €., October 31, 1864.
SIR: You are hereby assigned to the command of the Lodona, now at Sapelo, and will repair thither by the first convenient opportunity.
1729,'iK
38
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
You will expedite as much as possible the work of cleaning her bottom, now being performed by the divers.
Be vigilant in observing the rebel movements in the vicinity, and any attempt on the Lodona by torpedoes.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Hear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant R. P. SWANN,
Commanding U. /S. &. Potoinska, Port Royal Ifarbor, S. C.
Distribution, of Vessels of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
November 1, 1864.
|
Vessel. |
Station. |
Remarks. |
|
Murrell's Inlet |
||
|
Canandaigua |
Georgetown |
|
|
Do |
Cape Romain |
|
|
* Mangham ... |
Bull's Bay |
|
|
Pawnee |
Charleston .. |
Outside the bar |
|
Adger |
do..... |
Do. |
|
Dai Ching |
...do... |
Do |
|
Pontiac |
do |
Do. |
|
Wamsutta.. |
...do... |
Do |
|
Sonoma |
.do |
Do |
|
Flambeau . |
do |
Do |
|
. . .do |
Do |
|
|
Laburnum . |
do |
Do |
|
Acacia |
do... |
Do. |
|
Azalea .. ... |
do |
Do |
|
Patapsco |
do... |
Inside the bar. |
|
Sangamon |
do |
Do |
|
Catskill |
do... |
Do. |
|
Nahant |
do |
Do |
|
Home |
...do... |
Do |
|
*Bruen |
.. .do |
Do |
|
* Adams ." |
do |
Do |
|
Clover |
do... |
Do. |
|
Dandelion |
do |
Do |
|
Geranium |
...do... |
Do. |
|
Gladiolus . .... |
.do. |
Do |
|
Catalpa |
do |
Do. |
|
A 1 1 i;t rn Ji 1 1 M is |
...do |
Do. |
|
Hydrangea |
do |
Do |
|
Sweet Brier |
...do .. |
Do. |
|
Iris |
do |
Do |
|
Montauk |
do „ |
Repairing. |
|
McDonough .. . |
Stono |
|
|
* Smith |
do |
|
|
Stettin . .... |
North Edisto |
|
|
* Percy Drayton |
.. ..do |
Tender. |
|
* Saratoga |
St Helena |
|
|
* Wild Cat |
.do |
Tender. |
|
New Hampshire |
Port Royal |
|
|
Philadelphia |
.do |
|
|
Pettit |
...do... |
|
|
Arethusa |
do.. |
|
|
Carnation |
...do... |
|
|
* Houghton |
do |
|
|
* Orvetta |
do |
|
|
*Sea Foam |
do |
|
|
Cimarron |
Tybee Island .... |
|
|
Memphis |
...do ... |
|
|
Swift |
do |
Tender. |
|
^Williams |
do |
|
|
Passaic |
Wassaw Sound |
|
|
Wissahickon |
do |
|
|
* Thunder |
do |
Tender. |
|
Flag |
Ossabaw |
|
|
Winona |
do |
|
|
Jonquil |
do.: |
|
|
* Fernandina |
St. Catherine's |
|
|
Lodona |
Sapelo |
|
|
* Allen |
Doboy |
|
|
* Griffith |
A 1 In HIM! i;i |
|
|
*Braziliera... |
St. Simon's... |
* Sailing vessel.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
39
Distribution of Vessel? of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, November 1, 1864 —
Continued.
Vessel.
Station.
Remarks.
|
Sanf ord . |
St. Andrew's |
Repairing. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Repairing, tender. Repairing. Do. Do. Do. Hospital ship. Health ship. Relieve and communicate. Special duty. Do. Do. Southern stations with stores. North. North for repairs. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Sunk or stranded. Do. Do. Do. Captured. Do. |
|
*Perrv |
Fernandina |
|
|
Ottawa ' |
St. John's. |
|
|
Norwich |
.do. ... |
|
|
Hale |
do |
|
|
Mosquito [Inlet] . . |
||
|
Lehigh |
Port Roval . |
|
|
Nantucket |
do |
|
|
Potomska |
do |
|
|
Nipsic |
do |
|
|
South Carolina |
do |
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*Para |
do |
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Daffodil |
do |
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Chatham |
do |
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Larkspur |
. . do |
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* Racer |
.. .do |
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* Lightning |
do |
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Camelia |
do |
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* Geo. W. Rodgers |
do |
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* Ward |
do |
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Oleander |
do |
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* Valparaiso • |
do |
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*Norfolk Packet |
do |
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Harvest Moon . |
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* Blunt .... |
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* Hope . . ... |
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Wabash |
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Marblehead |
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Mohawk |
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Seneca |
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Huron |
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Unadilla |
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Chippewa |
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Rescue |
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New Ironsides |
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* Midnight . |
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Paul Jones .. |
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Mahaska . |
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*Supply |
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Weehawken |
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Housatonic |
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* Kingfisher |
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Madgie |
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Water Witch |
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Columbine |
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* Sailing vessel.
JOHN A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, suggesting movements f(/r the occupation of the territory between the Pedee and Santee rivers as a base foi% further operations.
Confidential.] U. S. FLAGSHIP HARVEST MOON,
Charleston Roads, November* 2, 1864-
SIR: This will be handed to the Department by Mr. Ward, who has very recently fled from his home in South Carolina. He represents to me that he lived at Kingstree (Williamsburg County), on the North- eastern Railroad, leading north from Charleston, and has considerable property there in land and otherwise; states that he has always been a Union man and has now abandoned home and property rather than serve in the rebel Army, which was about to be forced on him by con- scription. He has taken the oath of allegiance, and his acquaintance
40 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
with the country where he resided may be turned to good account if the Government is disposed to the undertaking. Mr. Ward states that the rebel armies derive large supplies from his neighborhood in cattle and other food. It is notorious that Georgetown is a principal rice district, and the crop is yet on the ground. Quite recently the boats of the Potoniskci destroyed a large quantity in the stack on the Santee.
By passing up the Santee the [Northeastern] Railroad, which crosses it, can be severed, for which boats will be chiefly used in connection with a small party of cavalry ascending the Pedee and its banks with a mixed force. The [Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta] Railroad, leading to Wilmington, is to be cut at Mars Bluff, [S. C.].
These movements, executed rapidly, will prevent all aid from Charles- ton or Wilmington and permit the occupation of the territory between the two rivers, which may serve as a base for further operations. The Santee is open. To enter the Pedee, Georgetown will be first occupied, which can certainly be done without incurring much detention, its channel being defended by a battery of ten guns, two of which are X-inch.
This I can venture an opinion upon, having already given it much attention and had a reconnoissance made with the view chiefly to destro}*- the gunboat said to be building up the Pedee, as well as to ascertain how Florence could be reached in case the Government had any idea of making an attempt to release the Union soldiers held there as prisoners.
Mr. Ward's familiarity with the country and its roads offers an unexpected facility which might be turned to good account at this season, and, if successful, might develop even better results than those which appear at first sight.
One thing 1 would urge earnestly — that entire secrec}r be observed. It may be set down as equal to half the force necessary otherwise. I believe all the information that regards roads is in possession of Mr. Ward, and I have what is required to enter the Santee and George- town.
The season is propitious if the action is prompt. I give Mr. Ward a few lines of introduction merely, and have the honor to be, Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Commanding.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Report of Rear -Admiral Dahlgr en, U. S. Navy, regarding th^ arrival at Port Royal, 8. C., of the U. 8. Ship St. Z,ouis.
No. 547.] FLAG-STEAMER HARVEST MOON,
Charleston Roads, S. C. , November 3, 186 Jf.
SIR: I have to inform the Department that the U. S. ship St. Louis arrived at Port Royal on the 2d instant for duty in this squadron, and I enclose reports showing the condition of the ship.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, }7 our obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 41
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Com- mander Chaplin, U. S. Navy, commanding U. 8. S. Dai Ching, to proceed to St. Andrevfs Sound.
FLAG-STEAMER HARVEST MOON,
Charleston Roads, S. C. , November 4, 186 J^.
SIR: You will proceed with the Dai Ching to St. Andrew's, [Ga.], and relieve the U. S. S. Mary Sanfwd, receiving her pilot, if she has one, and any information that he may have to communicate.
I wi.sh that activity may be encouraged among the officers and crew by judicious expeditions into the inland waters that are contiguous. > ****** *
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Slocking Squadron.
Lieutenant-Commander J. C. CHAPLIN, U. S. Navy,
Commanding U. S. /S. Dai Ching.
Repwt of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. 8. Navy, transmitting report maste arbw.
-
of Assistant Paymaster Tuttle, U. S. Navy, regarding the obstructions m Charleston Ha
No. 548.] FLAG-STEAMER HARVEST MOON,
Charleston Roads, 8. C. , November 4., 186 4-.
SIR: Since transmitting to the Department a reply in regard to the obstructions in the harbor of Charleston, I have received the enclosed from Assistant Paymaster Tuttle.
This gentleman has long been engaged in the astronomical depart- ment of Cambridge and is a practiced observer. With my permission he went to New York to procure a very powerful instrument, at his own cost, and with which he observes the rebel positions whenever the atmosphere permits.
There have been rumors that obstructions were in progress near Fort Sumter, but they were so indefinite as to require confirmation.
1 have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
[Enclosure.]
U. S. IRONCLAD CATSKILL, Charleston Roads, S. C., November #, 1864.
SIR: In obedience to your order I have the honor to submit the fol- lowing brief report of the obstructions in Charleston harbor, seen by me on Sunday afternoon last.
The obstructions extended from the walls of Sumter to within a short distance of Battery Bee, and for the first 200 yards from Sumter con- sisted simply of logs, which have been frequently observed by me during the past summer. Commencing near the extremity of the logs are a succession of rafts and buoys about 4 rods apart and extending to Battery Bee. These rafts and buoys were attached to obstructions
42 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
below the water and between them, as could be plainly seen from the ripple on the surface of the water.
Some 400 yards seaward of buoy No. 3 I observed an object resem- bling the head of a large barrel and having a conical object affixed to its center. Some of the officers on this vessel are of opinion that it is a buoy placed there by the Lehigh in 1863.
Two objects seen by me on the 13th of August last were not visible on Sunday. These were reported to you by Captain Harrison, and one consisted of the wheelhouse of a steamer, and the other, apparently, of a steam boiler in a vertical position.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HORACE P. TUTTLE,
Assistant Paymaster. Rear- Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron..
Report of. Lieutenant- Commander Madigan, U. S. Navy, commanding 77. S. /S. Patapsco, regarding the destruction of a beached doop ojf Fort Moultrie.
U. S. IRONCLAD STEAMER FATAPSCO, Off Fort Wagner, Charleston Harbor, /S. C., November 5, 1864.
SIR: In obedience to your signal at 9 a. m. of this day, I opened fire upon the small sloop that was on the beach in front of Fort Moultrie. As I was at anchor at the time, and lying stern toward the sloop, I commenced firing with the 12-pounder Dahlgren howitzer, hitting twice in thirteen shots. We were then about 2, 700 yards distant from the sloop. I concluded the 150-pounder rifle would make shorter work of the destruction in view, on account of the size of its projectile, so I got underway and steamed around to bring the 150-pounder rifle into play and commenced firing with it at the sloop. I was now fired upon by Fort Moultrie, the enemy using shells and shot which would cer- tainly have hit this vessel had she not been continually changing her position by steaming and drifting; one shell burst nearly over us and two pieces struck the vessel, doing no damage beyond staving the gig slightly and bruising one of the torpedo spars. Finding us so hard to hit the enemy ceased after firing a few shots. When I had fired ten shots with the 150-pounder rifle I anchored at my station, in obedience to signal, having struck the sloop once and set her on fire. All our shots were good line shots, but being in a strong tidewa}' it was diffi- cult to keep the vessel steady so as to preserve our aim.
The destruction of the sloop by burning will be perfect. She seems to have had a cargo of cotton and turpentine.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN MADIGAN, Lieutenant- Commander, Commanding U. S. S. Patapsco.
Rear- Admiral JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
[Endorsement.]
In communicating the above I beg leave to say to the Department that the work was so well done that the conflagration made a consid- erable appearance at night. The batteries from Gregg had been firing
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 43
without effect, when I signaled to the Patapsco to open fire, which was done as above related.
Very respectfully,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear Admiral, Commanding., etc., off Charleston, November 5.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. 8. Navy, to Commander Thomp- son, U. 8. Navy, sen.ior officer in the Stono River, regarding proper location of buoys in view of changes in the channel.
FLAG-STEAMER HARVEST MOON, Charleston Roads, S. C. , November 5, 1864-
SIR: I sent the chief pilot to examine the channel at Stono, and he reports to me that it lias changed entirely in direction and has increased in depth.
I wish you to send a competent officer to look into this and to the proper location of the buoys.
The pilot stationed there seems to have overlooked the change entirely, which, by the way, at North Edisto, has just cost the Gov- ernment $30,000 in the loss of a coal vessel.
You will perceive that my General Order No. 75 requires attention to such matters.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Commander EGBERT THOMPSON, U. S. Navy,
Senior Officer in the Stono.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Com- mander Stillwell, U. S. Navy, regarding continued cooperation with the army in St. John's River.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., November 7, 1864.
SIR: I have received yours of the 3d, stating that General Foster had given orders for the evacuation of Magnolia, [Fla].
I have no communication from General Foster on the subject. The operation in the St. John's was purely military, and had no naval object beyond assisting the troops.
You will therefore continue to render the general such aid as you can in maintaining his positions and his communications, which, I pre- sume, will not place the vessels in advance of military position; but if the question arises, refer to me.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Lieutenant-Commander JAMES STILLWELL,
Comdg. U. S. 8. Ottawa, Senior Officer Present in the St. John's.
44 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Captain Green,
U. S. Navy, urging readiness for repelling attack upon picket boats
by Confederate launches.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, November 7, 1864-
SIR: Yours of the 31st was received. I notice the statements of deserters that the rebels are fitting or have fitted ' ' four launches for the purpose of capturing our picket boats."
Please to make this known to the officers and men of our boats, and say to them that I shall be grievously disappointed if this design is not made to recoil on the rebels.
We have four launches and five other boats. Let care be taken to have them well manned and officered; have the howitzers loaded with grape and the muskets with buckshot. Keep the four launches well in support of each other, and the lighter boats so placed as to prevent any surprise, not to bear the brunt of the shock, but when the boats are engaged to close and use their buckshot with effect.
The tugs should have 24-pounder howitzers for the occasion, loaded with canister, and endeavor also to run over the rebel boats. Rifle guns are of no use in such a melee.
If the attack is made, and our men win, I should value it above all things.
With the canister and buckshot should go the bowie knife; rifles, shells, and swords are less useful for such an occasion. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Captain JOSEPH F. GREEN,
Senior Officer Present off Charleston.
Report of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, transmitting sample of rope cut from a buoy taken up in Port Royal Harbor.
No. 556.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C., Novembw 8, 1864.
SIR: I transmit a sample of rope cut from a buoy just taken up.
I had gone out of the roads to examine more closely the locality and track whereby the blockade runners pass and was near to one of the wrecks, close into Long Island, when a floating object was perceived which looked like a torpedo. It was picked up, and on examination found to be precisely similar to the floating torpedoes, but had neither fuze nor powder, which puzzled me as to its purpose.
On cutting the rope attached to it there was found a wire rope within, from which was taken the inclosed sample; it is evidently intended to convey a galvanic current and was floated by buoys.
It must have required a great force to part this rope, and was probably done by some steamer passing out of the usual course.
Under the circumstances it is to be presumed that the communica- tion was with some one of the fixed torpedoes, and if so, most probably with one that is said to have been lately put down near Sumter.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 45
The telegraphic wires are all sunken on the bottom, as reported by deserters who have had to do with them.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, regarding a system of escape for Union prisoner*.
No. 557 — Confidential.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
-Part Royal Harbor, S. C., November 8, 1864.
SIR: Three of our officers and one noncommissioned officer have just reached this squadron from Charleston. Ten refugees came with them.
It appears that a regular system of escaping is organized for those who can pay. Several persons are concerned who procure papers of various kinds and clothes, which not only get the favored parties from among the prisoners at some convenient opportunity, but even protect them against conscription, and finally they are brought away in boats. I have seen the papers and it is evident that they are excellent forger- ies, or else some officials are concerned. Sentinels on picket must connive too.
The sum paid by each was $250.
At this time there are some forty more on hand to come, and all are out of prison. These just escaped agree that if they got off safely four shells should be fired into the town in rapid succession to-night between 8 and 9 o'clock, which will be done.
It is all important to those who are to escape that this should be strictly secret, and I have therefore marked this confidential.
I enclose a paper of the 4th instant.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral, Coindg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Commander Preble, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. Ship St. Loui?, to proceed to duty in North Edisto.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C. , November 8, 1864.
SIR: Your orders of the 3d instant to proceed to Doboy and relieve the Ethan Allan are hereby revoked, aud you will proceed to North Edisto with the St. Louis under your command and relieve the U. S. S. Stettin, receiving from Lieutenant Van Alstine any information which may be useful to you in doing blockade duty at that place.
On your arrival off the bar at North Edisto, you will receive on board Fleet Pilot Haffards, who will pilot your vessel inside. If he is
46 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADKON.
not there, anchor and wait for him, or keep underway, as your judg- ment may best direct.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Commander GEORGE HENRY PREBLE, U. S. Navy,
Commanding U. S. Ship St. Louis.
Report of Captain Green, U. S. Navy, regarding the escape of a block- ade runner into Charleston, November 7, 1864-
U. S. SLOOP JOHN ADAMS, Off Morris Island, Smith Carolina, November 8, 1864.
SIR: I have respectfully to inform you that a large side-wheel steamer ran into the port of Charleston on the 7th instant at about 1 o'clock a. m. She was seen and fired upon by several of the outside block- ading vessels, and also by the launches inside. The latter fired forty- one shot at her, many of them at a distance not exceeding 100 yards, and were heard to strike her.
The picket monitors and tugs, so far as I have learned, did not fire a gun.
The reports of commanding officers in relation to their proceedings on the occasion will be forwarded to you as soon as they are received.
I enclose herewith Lieutenant-Commander Luce's report * of a shell fired from Battery Marshall yesterday morning, which struck and exploded on board of the Pontlac, killing and wounding several of his crew, and slightly damaging the vessel.
Also Carpenter Thomas's report \ of the damages sustained by the Pontiac.
I do not think the injury as serious as Carpenter Thomas represents, but it will be necessary for the Pontiac to go to Port Royal as early as convenient to have her deck and hawse hole repaired, and to have a guard put on the cutwater in lieu of the displaced casting, and in the meanwhile a new casting should be ordered from the North. There is a spare hawse hole in good condition on the same side as the one that is injured.
A torpedo craft was seen from Cummlng's Point this forenoon, moving about in the vicinity of Castle Pinckney.
The brig J. W. Spencer, of and from Philadelphia, with 495 tons of coal for the navy, arrived off the bar yesterday. Her rudder is damaged, and I shall have her brought inside for discharge when the bar will admit of it.
The rudderhead of the Gladiolus is split, and I shall be obliged to send her to Port Royal to have it repaired, although her services here are very much needed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. GREEN, Captain and Senior Officer off CJtarleston.
Rear- Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,
Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Port Royal, S. C.
* See p. 51. t See p. 52.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 47
Order of the Secretary of the Navy to the commandant of the navy yard, New 1 ork, regarding the U. /S. bark Gemsbok.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 9, 1864-
SIR: Direct the U. S. bark Gemsbok to proceed to Port Royal, S. C., and report to Rear- Admiral Dahlgren for duty, taking any stores that she can cany for that squadron. Very respectfully, etc.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy. Rear- Admiral HIRAM PAULDING,
Commandant Navy Yard, New York.
Letter from Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Major- General Foster, U. S. Army, regarding the removal of obstruction in Savan- nah River, to facilitate the transfer of sick and wounded soldiers from the North.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., November 9, 1864.
GENERAL: I have received yours of the 7th instant, requesting that Captain Stone be instructed to remove the chain cable that is now across the Savannah River, in order to avoid the time and trouble of transferring the sick and wounded soldiers, who are expected from the North, etc.
I shall send an order to Captain Stone to that effect; at the same time I wish to draw 3Tour attention to the advisableness of doing noth- ing that, by inference or otherwise, can enlighten the rebels as to the nature of the obstructions that remain there, or the facility with which they may be passed; because it is with difficulty that I am able to blockade the different entrances along the coast, and the force at Savan- nah River would be quite insufficient without the obstructions, which may be much less real than supposed.
I should have recommended the use of the Wilmington River and St. Augustine Creek for the purpose of exchange, which are quite as convenient for access by water to Savannah. There the blockade is made strong by an ironclad, and will bear any notice which the rebels might have an opportunity of bestowing.
The steamers could meet at Wilmington Island. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Major-General J. G. FOSTER, U. S. Army,
Comdg. Dept. of the South, Headquarters, Hilton Head.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Com- mander Stone, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cimarron, for the removal of chain cable in the Savannah River.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., November 9, 1864.
SIR: General Foster wishes to have the chain cable removed which is now across the Savannah River above Fort Pulaski, in order
48 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADKON.
that the "steamer daily expected from the North, with sick and wounded soldiers for exchange, may pass up that river, thus saving the time and trouble of transferring the soldiers to light-draft steamers." You will therefore proceed, with such means as you have from the Cimarron, Memphis, and Williams, to remove the chain referred to by General Foster, and cause the channel to be buoyed through the obstructions.
I desire to have no more done than is absolutely indispensable to the passage of our steamers, as I consider the obstructions useful to our- selves, particularly as the force which I can spare for the Savannah River is not strong, and the rebels have an ironclad above. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Lieutenant-Commander E. E. STONE,
Comdg. U. S. S. Cimarron, /Senior Officer Present, Tybee.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Mahan, U. S. Navy, to assume temporary command of the U. S. S. Potomska and proceed off Charleston.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Port Royal Harboi*, S. C. , November 10, 1864.. SIR: You will, without delay, assume temporary command of the U. S. S. Potomska and proceed immediately to the anchorage off Charleston and, on your arrival, report to the senior officer present for duty.
On being relieved of the command of the Potomska by Acting Master Montell,you will consult with Lieutenant-Commander Matthews, com- manding the naval battery, relative to the supplies necessary, and furnish such as can be procured at Charleston, after which you will return to this anchorage and report your arrival to me. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Lieutenant A. T. MAHAN, U. S. Navy,
Flag -Steamer Philadelphia.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Captain Green, U. 8. Navy, regarding the examination and disposition of wrecks of blockade runners off Long Island.
FLAGSHIP,
Port Royal, S. C., November 10, 186 4.
SIR: Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Churchill will report to you in order to examine the wrecks of the blockade runners off Long Island.
If it is possible to raise or bring away any one of these, let it be done; if not, let such of their contents be secured as may be worth it.
Please to give the diving vessels a tow when asked for and such aid
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADKON. 49
as may be needed. I should wish the divers to report their progress at the earliest date.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Comdg. /South Atlantic Blockading /Squadron. Captain JOSEPH F. GREEN,
/Senior Officer off Charleston.
Letter from. Secretary of the Navy to Bear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, transmitting information regarding Fort McAllister.
9
NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 10, 1864-
SIR: I enclose herewith a copy of a letter,* dated the 29th instant, addressed to the Department by 0. W. Thompson, esq., 32 South street, New York, giving the reports of two members of his family, who have recently arrived from Georgia, regarding the military forces at certain points near Savannah. Mr. Thompson is unknown to me. A few months since he announced that he himself had escaped from Georgia and communicated to the Department information as to matters about Savannah.
Very respectfully, etc.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy. Rear-Admiral JNO. A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, regarding plans for joint operations against the defenses of Charleston.
No. 558.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, 8. C. , November 10, 1864-
SIR: In transmitting the plan and description of the defenses of Charleston the departure of the mail did not allow of further remarks at the time; otherwise I should have referred to a previous suggestion contemplating another form of attack.
The city of Charleston is entirely under the control of James Island, which is not only fortified by water toward the harbor, but in all other directions is also strongly entrenched and garrisoned.
For this reason it was under consideration at one time by General Gillmore and myself to operate there, he moving from Morris Island against the nearest corner of the island, where is Fort Johnson, and the vessels cooperating on the same point. The possession of the works must have led to a gradual advance along the island.
But attack is also feasible on the opposite side of the harbor. The occupation of Mount Pleasant by our forces would compel the abandon- ment of Sullivan's Island by mere blockade, and would also command the site of the city more promptly than by an advance on James Island, because there are no works there except one toward Sullivan's Island
*Le*ter states that Fort McAllister is without a garrison and suggests its capture. N W R — VOL 16 4
50 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADKON.
and another at Haddrell's Point, both near the water and looking only that way, without any bearing inland at all.
With a moderate land force only this last would be most advisable. Part of the troops could be landed at Bull's Bay, whence there is a good road for some 15 miles; part would enter the inlet seaward of Sullivan's Island, seize Long Island, and, with the aid of the navy, land in the rear of Sullivan's Island, join the force coming from Bull's Bay, and occupy Mount Pleasant.
This would cut off Sullivan's Island by land. The ironclads would, do the same by water, while the principal part of the land and naval force would advance toward the city, keeping them on that side of the harbor.
A few days must lead to the possession of the city, and then James Island being accessible at its narrowest part, by the Wappoo, both from the Ashley and Stono rivers, must sooner or later compel the retirement of the rebels from James Island, or else risk the loss of their troops, as well as of the island.
This operation would require 30,000 to 50,000 good men, because it is reasonable to admit that the present small force of the rebels would receive large additions.
Still, we have the unquestioned advantage of being able to bring here additional forces more promptly in the present position of the main armies. Hood must pass around Sherman in order to give any aid, and General Grant equally obstructs the road from Richmond.
The present time is in every way favorable; and if the winter is to keep the men in the lines to the northward, it appears to me that no more judicious or effective campaign could be devised than might be carried on here, for its success would enter a wedge between the two extremes of what is left of the rebellion and develop possibilities that might be improved by General Sherman into a great advantage.
Limiting the view to Charleston, I feel confident that the result would be satisfactory, and would therefore advise the operation. What action might afterwards be most advisable would appear subse- quently.
1 have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Report of Hear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, transmitting reports regarding casualties on the U. S. S. Pontiac from explosion, of shell jiredfrom Battery Marshall, Sullivan's Island.
No. 560.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Eoyal Harbor, /S. C. , November 10, 1864.
SIR: I have to inform the Department that the day after I left Charleston for this place the l^ontiac received a shell forward, the explosion of which killed 5 men and wounded 1 others slightly, one of whom has since died. I enclose the reports of Lieutenant-Commander Luce and Acting Assistant Surgeon J. W. Sherfy, which state the details at length.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 51
I also enclose the report of Carpenter Thomas, showing the extent of damages, which I am informed are probably not so great as repre- sented; still, it will be necessary for the Pontiac to come to Port Royal to repair, which gives me some concern at this time, as there are now here four of the best blockaders for the^same purpose, and at least one more that needs repair.
The Department will perceive by the above that the attempts to effect the close blockade here unavoidably expose our vessels to casual- ties from the enemy's shot, striking in shoal water, and even fouling propellers, but that the vessels that go in to violate the blockade will not succeed without great risk.
On the same night that the Pantiac was struck, a large side-wheel steamer ran the blockade about 10 o'clock, taking advantage of the obscurity caused by the weather.
She was fired upon.by several of the outside blockading vessels, and also by the launches inside. The latter are reported to have tired forty- one shot at her, many of them at a distance not exceeding 150 yards, and were heard to strike her.
I am glad to say that this boat organization is rendering good serv- ice. They are pushed up well in advance and are supported by tugs, which, in this instance, however, failed to fire a gun.
I have had some difficulty in collecting the number of large boats which are assigned to this duty, because steamers are not generally provided with the largest class of launches.
The two which were last sent me by the Bureau are highly spoken of as most excellent boats, but four others which were required have not reached me yet. I wish very much that 1 had a dozen such, with men sufficient to man them:
If 1 had a thousand well-disciplined marines I would occupy Long Island, which is next to Sullivan's Island, and thereby reduce the chances of blockade runners getting in to a very low figure.
It is reported to me that a torpedo craft was seen from Cumming's Point this morning, moving in the vicinity of Castle Pinckney.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
[Enclosures.]
U. S. S. PONTIAC, Off Charleston, S. <7., November 7, 1864.
ADMIRAL: It is with painful regret that I find myself obliged to inform you that, while engaged this morning in picking up our anchor, slipped to go in pursuit of a blockade runner, Battery Marshall opened fire on us, and a shell from a rifled gun exploding on the forecastle, killed -t of the crew and wounded 7 others, besides 1 officer slightly.
Observing the first few shells to explode far short, I took no fur- ther notice of the battery, but continued my efforts to get the end of our chain. We got hold of the buoy rope, when suddenly a shell from the battery struck the bow just over the port hawse pipe. It penetrated the bulwarks, struck the forecastle deck, and exploded, scattering destruction on every side. Fragments of the iron hawse pipe and two hand grenades (the latter exploded by the concussion)
52 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
lent their aid to increase the sad mortality. These grenades had been placed in a rack on the forecastle bulwarks for the convenient use of the forward lookouts. Striking- the deck, the shell knocked a hole through into the yeoman's storeroom, throwing fragments of the plank and shell below, but causing no material damage. Our buov rope was cut away, and with it the end of the chain lost. Not deeming it prudent to remain longer exposed to the fire of the battery, I steamed down for the outside squadron and anchored.
Just about the time we were struck a rain squall passed over, which shut out the land from view, so I am in hopes the enemy did not see anything of the effects of his shot.
On examining the bows to ascertain the amount of damage, the metal casting which forms the gripe of the stem and acts as a guard to the forward rudder was discovered to be broken; how or in what manner it became so, I have not yet been able to determine.
Mr. Thomas has made an examination of the injuries, and will, I presume, report through Captain Green.
1 enclose herewith the surgeon's report of casualties. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. B. LUCE, Lieutenant- Commander.
Admiral JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding /South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
U. S. S. PONTIAC,
Off Charleston, November 8, 1864-.
SIR: The following is the list of killed and wounded resulting from the fire of Battery Marshall, on Sullivan's Island, upon this vessel at 7 o'clock a. m. yesterday:
Killed. — James McLaughlin, boatswain's mate, and his body lost overboard; Matthew J. Summers, first-class boy; L. F. Brown, John McDaniel, Edward Lynch, landsmen. Total, 5.
Wounded. — Charles Nelson, captain of forecastle, very severely, died this morning; Thomas Connor, seaman, contusion over the right scapula, with fracture thereof, and lung implicated, severe; John McDonough, landsman, seriously in the right leg, compound fracture; Richard Ervingham, ordinary seaman, not severe, contusion inside the right thigh; Tneo. [E.] Lawton, ensign, contusions on the right leg, not severe; William Andrews, ordinary seaman, contusion left hand and left side, not severe; D. G. Johnson, landsman, contusion right shoulder, not severe. Total, 7. Whole number 12, injured and killed.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. SHERFY, Acting Assistant Surgeon, TJ. S. Navy.
Lieutenant-Commander S. B. LUCE,
Commanding U. 8. S. Pvntiac.
MORRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, November 6 [7], 1864- In compliance with your order, I have examined the damage done to the gunboat Pontiac by a shell from Fort Marshall, S. C. , and find
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 53
that the shell entered the port hawse hole and exploded at the instant it did so, thereby destroying the hawse pipe and tearing up the thick work of the deck amidships, and injuring the bulwarks and main rail on the starboard bow. I also find the casting that connects the stem to the keel broken and the lower part gone. The damage is serious, and, in my opinion, the vessel will have to be docked in order to prop- erly repair it.
Very respectfully
J. G. THOMAS, Carpenter, U. S. Navy. Captain J. F. GREEN,
Senior Officer off Charleston, S. C.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant- Coin- mander Lewis, U. 8. Navy, to assume command of naval forces in Tybee Roads.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA, Part Royal Harbor, 8. C., November 12, 1864. SIB: You will proceed to Tybee Roads in thelJ. S. S. Harvest Moon and assume the command of the naval forces stationed there, carrying out any unexecuted orders which may have been transmitted to Cap- tain Stone and receiving from him such information as may be use- ful while doing duty there.
On the arrival of Lieutenant-Commander A. W. Johnson you will give him all the necessary information and transfer the command to him. After which you will return in the Harvest Moon to this anchorage and resume your duties on the Nantucket. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Lieutenant-Commander R. F. R. LEWIS, U. S. Navy,
Commanding U. S. Ironclad Nantucket.
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, in the matter of the removal of the chain across the Savannah Rwer for the passage of Confederate prisoners for exchange.
No. 567.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor ^ 8. C., November 13, 1864.
SIR: A number of large steamers arrived here on the llth instant, conveying sick and wounded rebels to exchange at Savannah for our own soldiers who were prisoners.
A few days previously General Foster informed me that an exchange was about to take place in Savannah River and asked me to give orders for the removal of the chain that connects the obstructions. I did so, but apprised him that it would have been advisable to exchange in Wassaw, by wa}^ of Wilmington River and St. Augustine Creek, [Ga.], as the rebels would learn from the passage of the obstructions that they were not now a very effective barrier, and give trouble, as I could not keep a strong force there and they had an ironclad above.
54
SOUTH ATLANTIC ' BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Our force now there is the Cimarron, with a disabled boiler; the Memphis, with a poor batter y, and a mortar schooner.
I would recommend that the navy be consulted on such occasions as that mentioned above.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGBEN, 12 ear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic. Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of tlie Navy.
Distribution of vessels of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
November 15, 1864,.
|
Vessel. |
Station. |
Remarks. |
|
Murrell's Inlet |
||
|
Georgetown |
||
|
Do |
Cape Romain |
|
|
*Mangham |
Bull's Bay |
|
|
Pawnee . . . |
Charleston . |
Outside the Bar |
|
Adger |
do... |
Do. |
|
Wamsutta . . . |
do . |
Do |
|
Pontiac |
...do... |
Do. |
|
Sonoma |
do... |
Do. |
|
Flambeau ... |
do . |
Do. |
|
Potomska |
do... |
Do. |
|
San ford |
do |
Do. |
|
Laburnum |
do |
Do. |
|
Azalea |
"do |
Do. |
|
Patapsco . |
do |
Inside the bar. |
|
Catskill |
do... |
Do. |
|
Montauk |
do. . . |
Do. |
|
Ndhant |
...do... |
Do. |
|
Home |
do |
Do. |
|
*Bruen |
do |
Do. |
|
*Adams |
do |
Do. |
|
*Orvetta |
do |
Do. |
|
Geranium |
...do... |
Do. |
|
Amaranthus |
. ...do |
Do. |
|
Catalpa |
...do... |
Do. |
|
Hydrangea |
...do |
Do. |
|
Daffodil.. |
...do... |
Do. |
|
Iris |
...do |
Do. |
|
Clover . |
. ..do |
Do. |
|
Sangamon |
do |
Inside the bar, repairing. |
|
McDonough . |
Stono |
|
|
*Smith |
do |
|
|
Sweet Brier |
do |
|
|
*Williams. . . |
do |
|
|
Si. Louis |
North Edisto . |
|
|
Percy Drayton . ... |
do |
Tender. |
|
*Saratoga |
St. Helena |
Ordered to relieve Allen. |
|
Stettin |
do |
|
|
*WildCat |
do |
Tender. |
|
*New Hampshire |
Port Royal |
|
|
Philadelphia |
...do... |
|
|
Pettit ... . |
do |
|
|
Arethusa |
do |
|
|
Carnation |
Port Royal |
|
|
Houghton |
do |
|
|
Cimarron . . |
Tybee Island |
|
|
* Racer |
do |
|
|
*Swift |
do |
Tender. |
|
Passaic |
Wassaw Sound |
|
|
Wissahickon |
do |
|
|
* Lightning |
do |
Tender. |
|
Flag |
Ossabaw |
|
|
Winona |
do |
|
|
Jonquil |
do |
|
|
* Fernandina |
St Catherine's |
|
|
Lodona |
||
|
* Allen |
Doboy |
|
|
*Gnffith |
||
|
* Braziliera Dai Ching |
St. Simon's St. Andrew's |
|
|
* Perry... |
Fernandina .. |
* Sailing vessels.
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
55
Distribution of vessels of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, November 13, 1864 —
Continued.
|
Vessel. Station. |
Remarks. |
|
|
Ottawa |
St. John's . . |
Repairing. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do.' Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Repairing: tender. Hospital snip. Health ship. Loading with stores forsouth. Relieve and communicate. Special duty. Do. Special duty; divers. Southern stations, with stores. North. North for repairs. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Sunk or stranded. Do. Do. Do. Captured. Do. |
|
Hale do |
||
|
Mosquito [Inlet] |
||
|
Port Roval . . |
||
|
...do/.. |
||
|
Mingoe . do |
||
|
Nipsic do |
||
|
Acacia do |
||
|
*Para do |
||
|
Chatham . do |
||
|
Gladiolus do |
||
|
Larkspur |
do |
|
|
*George W. Rodgers |
do |
|
|
Camelia " |
.. do |
|
|
* Ward |
do . |
|
|
Oleander |
do |
|
|
Dandelion |
. . do |
|
|
*Thunder |
do |
|
|
* Valparaiso |
do . |
|
|
* Norfolk Packet |
do |
|
|
Memphis |
||
|
Harvest moon |
||
|
*Blunt |
||
|
* Hope |
||
|
*Sea Foam |
||
|
Wabash |
||
|
Marblehead |
||
|
Mohawk |
||
|
Seneca |
||
|
Huron |
||
|
Unadilla |
||
|
Chippe wa |
||
|
Rescue |
||
|
New Ironsides |
||
|
* Midnight '< |
||
|
Paul Jones |
||
|
Mahaska |
||
|
*Supplv |
||
|
Weehawken |
||
|
Housatonic |
||
|
* Kingfisher |
||
|
Madgie ' |
||
|
Water Witch L . |
||
|
Columbine |
||
* Sailing vessels.
JOHN A. DAHLGREN,
Rear- Admiral, Comdg. Smith Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, regarding the U. S. ship St. Louis.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 21, 1864-
SIR: Your No. 547, enclosing report of survey on the sloop of war St. Louis, was received.
The St. Louis is a very old vessel and not worth repairing at much cost. Let her be patched up as well as possible and perform service in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Very respectfully, etc.,
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy. Rear- Admiral JNO. A. DAHLGREN,
Comdy. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron off Charleston.
56 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, regarding proposed attack upon the defenses of Savannah, Oa.
No. 578.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, November 21, 1864-
SIR: The Department's communication enclosing another from Mr. C. W. Thompson, of No. 32 South street, New York, has been received.
I lost no time in communicating with General Foster on the subject, with a view to his opinion, and cooperation if he deemed it advisable to act.
Fleet Captain Bradford had a personal interview with General Foster, and reports as follows:
In obedience to your verbal order, I have had an interview with the general com- manding regarding the movement referred to within.
The general did not favor the movement at present, because the information is not reliable. The general does not believe the surprise and capture of Fort McAllister possible with the available force here or in the Department.
He estimates the number of troops defending Savannah and its approaches at 4,000, a little over one-third of which are regular troops; 5,000 defend Charleston, etc.
Three rivers unite and form Ossabaw Sound — the Big Ogeechee, the Little Ogeechee, and the Vernon. The channel of each is barred by forts and batteries, McAllister, Rosedew, and Beaulieu, respectively; the position, construction, and force of each have been given at various times by persons directly from them.
Fort McAllister is the work which was attacked in January, 1863, by Captain Worden with the M<mtauk (monitor), Seneca, WissahicJcon, Dawn, and a mortar schooner, resumed a few days afterwards by the same vessels, and early in March by Captain Drayton with the moni- tors Passaic, Patapsco, and Nahant, gunboats Seneca, Wissahickon, and Dawn, and three mortar schooners, all of which is fully reported in the report of the Department, December, 1863, and Department's report on armored vessels.
The Department will perceive from the reports of the different offi- cers that there is reason to believe from their results that the work is not reducible by any naval force which can approach it, and must be assailed simultaneously by a land force.
Beaulieu is more heavily armed than McAllister, and would proba- bly require the aid of a land force for its reduction.
Rosedew is inferior to either, but is reported less accessible to ves- sels of any draft.
These works are chiefly of importance because they guard the approach from the south to Savannah; the roads leading from these turn all the heavy works that defend the city from the direction of Wassaw and Savannah rivers, and the Department will readily con- ceive the improbability of this being neglected, as stated, by an enemy so vigilant and so much interested in the positions occupied.
The Water Witch now lies above Beaulieu, just as the Nashville lay above McAllister, with the difference that she is entirely beyond the reach of our guns.
South of these outworks to the defense of Savannah there is no force of any consequence; the boats of the squadron have entered the water courses in that quarter and fired upon a few companies, which they dispersed or captured.
There is a great variety of reports arriving constantly, and it is only
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADKON. 57
by comparison with each other and what we know that the probable state of things can be arrived at.
My own scouts have been in full view of Beaulieu, and deserters coming in regularly from it, McAllister, and Rosedew have stated their armament and condition at the times they left.
Acting Master Durand was captured in a scout, intended to examine the rear approaches to Beaulieu.
My scouts have also been repeatedly on the north end of Elba Island, in view of the rebels, but unsuspected, and quietly surveyed the city and the forts near it.
The true attack is upon Savannah or Charleston, in force, while a column severs the communication connecting them by passing up any of the streams which run up from the sea and intersects the railroad.
If General Sherman comes from inland and follows this plan he will certainly take both Cities with little effort, and a force from the sea- board could do this for him as he approaches.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear-Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S.
Navy, in view of Major- General Sherman* 8 approach to Savannah,
Ga.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, November ##, 1864.
SIR: Major-General Sherman, with about 50,000 men, left Atlanta, Ga., on the 16th instant, with the intention of reaching the Atlantic coast somewhere in the vicinity of Savannah. He may be expected about the middle of December, and the Department directs that you will be prepared to give him any needed cooperation that may be in your power.
It is desirable to obtain information respecting the nature of the weather in Georgia between this and the probable time of General Sherman's arrival on the coast, so that some idea may be formed of obstacles that he ma}7 encounter in the way of rain and swollen streams. If in any way you can keep yourself advised on this point and inform the Department, please do so.
Very respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES,
/Secretary of the Navy.
Rear- Admiral JNO. A. DAHLGREN,
Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, off Charleston.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. Navy, to Oomm.ander Preble, U. S. Navy, regarding proposed operations.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C., November 8®, 1864. SIR: Yours of the 2ist instant has been received by the Hydrangea, and in reply to your query, when any of our officers and men escape
58 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
to the St. Louis, if they are in need of clothing1, you are authorized to issue to them by requisition of the master's department on the pay- master. The}' are also to have a ration.
I am sure I need not say a word to commend these, our suffering- comrades, to the officers and men of the /St. Louis. Those who have arrived here speak of their reception in the sloop in terms most grate- ful. We can not do too much for these gallant men.
The refugees are a different set of people. They have lived in rebel- dom as long as they could, and now leave it from necessity, not from regard to the Union.
You will put them on the oath of allegiance and give them a ration. Feelings of humanity will indicate what further should be done.
As regards your own movements, strike when you can, but let it be done effectively.
The great desideratum is to cut the railroad above you; the army has tried it repeatedly and failed.
When you have all the necessary information, if you think it feasible, I will send you 100 marines and 200 seamen, which is about as much as I can muster — I mean more than I could afford to lose. But every- thing will depend on secrecy and celerity. Give the rebels time and they will have force to stop you, but if you can get there before them you will do it and hold it.
Perhaps Towles would assist, if promised some place. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. DAHLGREN, Hear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Commander GEORGE HENRY PREBLE, U. S. Navy,
Comdg. U. S. Ship St. Louis, Senior Officer North Edisto.
Order of Captain Green, U. S. Navy, to Commander Patterson, U. S. Navy, in vieib of the escape of a blockade runner through Swash Channel.
U. S. SHIP JOHN ADAMS, Of Morris Island, 8. C., November n, 1864.
SIR: A large side- wheel steamer ran in at 8 o'clock last night through Swash Channel.
Please have some vessels stationed in the vicinity of Swash Channel, between it and the light-ship near the bar.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. GREEN, Captain and Senior Officer off Charleston.
Commander T. H. PATTERSON,
Comdg. U. S. S. James Adger, Senior Officer Offshore Blockade.
Order of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren^ U. S. Navy, regarding a thorough system of scouting in the vicinity of Port Royal, S. C.
FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Ilarboi^, 8. C., November 22, 1864.
Vessels on blockade will be careful to scout thoroughly the rivers or estuaries where they may be, and as far as it is possible to do so;
SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADEON. 59
the object being to keep advised of the rebel positions and forces, also to gain all early information from deserters and refugees of move- ments elsewhere, whether of our own forces or the rebels.
Anything new in relation to the movements of the Union forces under General Sherman, or generally important, will be immediately transmitted to me. There is no difficulty in doing so at Tybee, or Wassaw, or Ossabaw, as a vessel can always be sent for the purpose to Port Royal. South of Ossabaw the communication will be transmitted to Ossabaw by boats, and thence to Port Royal by tug.
North of Port Royal the communication is frequent between Edisto, Stono, and Charleston, and access to Port Royal by tender is easy from St. Helena.
The picket boats are to be out invariably after dark, and officers and men are to be encouraged in scouting by land or water.
JOHN A. DAHLGREN, Rear- Admiral, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Report of Commander Patterson, U. 8. Navy, transmitting report of the commanding officer of the U. S. S. Potomska, regarding the escape of a blockade runner.
U. S. S. JAMES ADGER, Off Charleston Bar, November 23, 1864.
SIR: Acting Master Montell reports having discovered last evening, between the hours of 7 and 8, a steamer coming from toward Maffitt's Channel, with sails set and square-rigged forward; made the usual signal and lired three times. The Azalea coming up under the port bow of the Potomska, and not answering her challenge, "caused much confusion by drawing our attention away from the strange steamer." The signal was repeated by this vessel, at that time near the Housatonic. The Potomska occupied a station about 1| miles N.W. i N. of the Housatonic.
The strange steamer was not seen by any other vessel of the outer blockade, and when last seen by the Potomska was steering N. by W. I herewith forward a copy of Acting Master Montell's report, a copy of which I have also sent to Acting Master Strong, with direc- tions to make an explanation, etc.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. H. PATTERSON,
Commander and Senior Officer Present off Charleston Bar. Captian J. F. GREEN,
Senior Officer off Charleston, S. C.
[Enclosure.]
U. S. S. POTOMSKA,
Blockading off Cliarleston, November 23, 1864-
SIR: I beg respectfully to inform you that between the hours of 7 and 8, on the evening of the 22d, saw a steamer coming from toward Maffitt's Channel, with sail set and square-rig forward; burned a Cos- ton signal and sent up rocket and fired No. 1 gun at the vessel, fol- lowing with No. 2 and pivot.
The U. S. S. Azalea coming up under our port bow at the time, and not answering our challenges, caused much confusion by drawing our
60 SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
attention away from strange steamer, who, when last seen, was steer- ing N. by W., and out of reach of our guns. I feel confident that the vessel must have returned, as, during the night the guns' crews were kept to quarters and a most vigilant lookout was kept between the shore and ourselves. The Azalea failed to answer our challenges, which were made frequently during the night.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. M. MONTELL, Acting Master, Commanding. Commander THOS. H. PATTERSON,
Senior Officer Outside Blockade.
Extract from report of Captain Green, U. S. Navy, senior officer off Charleston, regarding general affairs.
U. S. SLOOP JOHN ADAMS, Off Morris Island, South Carolina^ November 23, 1864'
SIR: * * * A large side- wheel steamer, with two masts and two smoke pipes, ran in night before last at about 8 o'clock through the Swash Channel. She was seen and fired upon by two of the picket launches, one of which, lying in 9 feet of water, was obliged to cut her cable to avoid being run down by the steamer. She was not seen by the outside blockade.
The night was ver}^ dark and boisterous. I enclose herewith Lieu- tentant-Commander Stone's and Acting Master Kicker's reports of the circumstances, and also Acting Ensign Seaman's respecting the station occupied by him on the occasion.
The schooner Althea arrived here with provisions day before yester- day (the 21st instant), and I dispatched her yesterday to Port Royal.
* * * * * * *
A large launch, coppered, with oars, rowlocks, and rudder, com- plete, was picked up this morning at about 4 o'clock off Drunken Dick Shoal by one of the picket tugs. She had in her several 30-pound shot and a coffin containing the corpse of a colored man.
* * * * * * #
Two United States officers who escaped from Charleston and reached Morris Island a day or two since state that the rumor prevails in Charleston and vicinity that Sherman is marching in this direction. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. GREEN,
Captain and Senior Officer off Charleston. Rear- Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Report of Rear- Admiral Dahlgren, D. $. Navy, regarding the arrival of refugees and escaped Union prisoners.
No. 582.] FLAG-STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,
Port Royal Harbor, November 23, 1864.
SIR: Refugees continue to come