Posted inUS Civil War

May 7, 1862 – Sketch of Fort Macon

Fort Macon, which guarded and protected the town of Beaufort, was situated on bluff on Bogue’s Bank, one mile and three quarters from the town. It commanded the entrance to the harbor, having a full sweep of fire over the main channel. Opposite the fort, at the entrance of the harbor, is Shackleford Bank, one mile and a half across. The fortification was of a hexagonal form, had two tiers of guns—one in casemated bombproof, and the other en barbette. Its armament consisted of twenty thirty two pounders, thirty twenty four pounders, two eighteen pounders, three field pieces for flanking defence, twelve flank howitzers, eight eight inch howitzers (light), eight eight inch howitzers (heavy), one thirteen inch mortar, three ten inch mortars, and two Coehorn mortars—making a total of eighty nine guns.

Posted inUS Civil War

May 1, 1862 – A Sharp Skirmish

On Saturday week, near South Mills above Elizabeth City, N. C., the 3d Georgia Regiment, Col. A. R Wright, attacked a strong force of the enemy, and fought them several hours. The Norfolk Say Book says:

Our force consisted of six companies of the 3d Georgia Regiment and McComas’ Artillery. The companies were not full and the whole number of men on our side may he set down at from three to five hundred.

Posted inBiographical US Civil War

April 30, 1862 – Death of Major General Smith

Photo of General Smith in uniform, showing him staring in to the camera. He has an impressive mustache.

The Union has lost one of its ablest defenders, and Pennsylvania a noble, upright citizen, ever zealous for the public good. General Charles Ferguson Smith died at Savannah, Tennessee, on Friday last, from an illness contracted at the time of his occupation of that town. The deceased officer was a son of Dr. Samuel B. Smith, of Philadelphia. From the date of his graduation at West Point, in 1825, his advancement, not only in rank, but in the esteem and confidence of his fellow officers, was merited and rapid. Commencing his military career as a second lieutenant of artillery, his distinguished merit on the fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Cherubusco, and Contreras, raised him in quick succession to the rank of Major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel. At the time of his death he was colonel of the Third Infantry—one of the best regiments in the service. Such worth as his could not lie dormant in the present struggle.—In August last he was made a brigadier general. At the taking of Fort Donelson his valor was conspicuous, alike to friend and foe, and won for him the rank of major general.

Posted inUS Civil War

April 29, 1862 – Capt. Farragut’s Letter to the Mayor

The following is the letter sent to the Mayor by Capt. Farragut yesterday:

U. S. Flagship Hartford
At Anchor off the city of New Orleans, April 28, 1862

To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the city of New Orleans:

Your communication of the 26th inst. has been received, together with that of the City Council:

I deeply regret to see, both by their contents, and the continued display of the flag of Louisiana on the Courthouse, a determination on the part of the city authorities not to haul it down. Moreover when my officers and men were sent on shore to communicate with the authorities, and to hoist the United States flag on the Customhouse, with the strictest order not to use their arms unless assaulted, they were insulted in the grossest manner, and the flag which hd been hoisted by my orders on the Mint, was pulled down and dragged through the streets.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

April 26, 1862 – Latest from Fortress Monroe

Fortress Monroe, April 22.—A small row-boat arrived here this morning, from Norfolk, containing three men, a woman, and two children, refugees.

They report that the Merrimac is still at the Gosport navy yard. Workmen were engaged in placing iron shields over her port-holes. It was supposed that the improvements would soon be completed, and the Merrimac be out again in two or three days. She was aground on the last day she came out, as was generally supposed here.