Tag Archives: United States Navy

5 April 1865: “We found that the rebel rams and gunboats had all been blown up.”

Item Description: This is a report of rear admiral Porter, U. S. Navy, regarding operations following the evacuation of Richmond. He reports on the progress of the removal of torpedoes left by Confederate ships. [Scans courtesy of Google Books and Cornell … Continue reading

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3 April 1865: “You will be careful and thorough in dragging the river for torpedoes and send men along the banks to cut the wire.”

Item Description: Report of Lieutenant Commander R. Chandler, United States Navy, 3 April 1865, regarding the removal of obstructions in the James River, transmitting instructions to Union navy ships on the James River in Virginia for similar operations. [Scans courtesy of Google Books … Continue reading

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29 March 1865: “I would respectfully request that you direct one or two gunboats to lay in the Appomattox…”

Item Description: Letter from Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, U.S. Army, to Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, U.S. Navy, asking that gunboats be positioned in both the Appomattox and James Rivers. Item Citation: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in … Continue reading

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23 March 1865: “You will dispose your vessels about the sounds to capture all contraband of war going into the enemy’s lines”

Item Description: Order from Rear Admiral David D. Porter, of the U.S. Navy, to Commander W.H. Macomb regarding the seizure of contraband goods from captured Confederate ships. Item Citation: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War … Continue reading

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17 March 1865: “I have sent her to New Orleans for adjudication, together with papers found on board and the proper witnesses required.”

Item description: Report of Commander William Spicer, of the U.S.S. Quaker City, United States Navy, to Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, regarding the capture of the blockade-running schooner the George Burkhardt. Item citation: Official records of the Union and … Continue reading

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29 January 1865: “All the iron clads have gone down there and I am expecting every day to hear that Charleston is taken”

Item Description: Letter from James Gifford to his parents in New Bedford, MA.  He discusses the movements of Union naval ships towards Wilmington, NC and Charleston, SC.  He also discusses purchasing shoes in Beaufort, NC and exchanging photographs with other … Continue reading

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27 December 1864: “Discipline, order, energy, and enthusiasm were their leading characteristics”

Item Description: Report by Colonel Jourdan, 158th New York Regiment, to Commander Dove, United States Navy, concerning the expedition to destroy the salt-works near Bear Inlet, North Carolina. Item Citation: Expedition to Bear Inlet, N.C. [New York : G. P. … Continue reading

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12 June 1864: “I am, with the assistance of an engineer officer, Lieutenant [W. R.] King, of the Army, placing torpedoes in the Roanoke River, to be exploded by friction matches.”

Item description: A report from acting Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee concerning “the placing and trial of torpedoes for defense against the C. S. ram Albemarle.” Item transcription: Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, transmitting a report regarding … Continue reading

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5 June 1864: “I have your private note stating that Colonel Jourdan proposes to attack Wilmington.”

Item description: A letter from acting Rear Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee to Commander A. G. Clary of the U.S.S. Dacotah transmitting a copy of a confidential letter (previously sent to Captain Benjamin F. Sands) concerning a proposed attack upon Fort … Continue reading

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29 May 1864: “One colored regiment at each place to hold against great odds these important positions, which the army is fortifying.”

Item description: Sent from Acting Rear-Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee to Gideon Welles, who was U. S. Secretary of Navy, this telegram discusses military movements in the Fort Powhatan and Wilson’s Wharf region of Virginia, especially that of African American Union … Continue reading

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