Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

February 17, 1863 – News of the Florida

By the arrival of the Creole we have the following intelligence from-Havana:

The Confederate gunboat Florida was coaling at Havana on the 20th ult. She departed the next day, the Bio Bio hence for New York, via Havana, leaving at the same time, but did not molest the latter, owing, it is said, to a pledge given the Captain General to that effect. The San Jacinto pursued the Florida immediately upon her leaving port, but she eluded her pursuer. A number of other U. S. war vessels subsequently went in search of the Florida, and succeeded in compelling her to take refuge in Kingston, Jamaica, where she was lying at last accounts. Among the vessels destroyed by the Florida was a bark from New Orleans (name unknown) with a cargo of sugar and molasses for a northern port. The purser of the Creole favors us with the following:

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

The Affair Off Charleston

The Official Dispatches

Washington. Feb. 9. —A bearer of official dispatches from the fleet off Charleston has arrived here. The following is from rear admiral Dupont concerning the rebel attack on our squadron off that port:—

Admiral Dupont’s report.

Flag Ship Wabash, Port Royal, Feb. 2.

Sir : I have to report that about 4 o’clock on the morning of Jan. 31st, during the obscurity of a thick haze, two iron-clad gunboats came out of Charleston by the main ship channel unperceived by the squadron, and commenced a raid upon the blockading fleet. Most of the latter were of the light class of purchased vessels; two of the heaviest men-of-war, the Powhattan and the Canandaigua, being at this port coaling and repairing.

The Mercedita was the first vessel attacked. Her officers and crew had been particularly watchful during the night to look out for suspected vessels, and at 3 o’clock had shipped her cable and overhauled a troop steamer running for the channel by mistake. She had returned to her anchorage, and Capt Stellwagen had gone to his room for a short time, leaving Lieut. Commander Abbott on deck, when one of the iron-clads suddenly appeared. Her approach was concealed by the haze and mist of the atmosphere. The vessel was immediately hailed, and an order given to fire, but the iron-clad being close aboard and lying low in the water, no guns could be brought to bear upon her.

Posted inUS Civil War

February 9, 1863 – Cavalry Expedition to Middleburg and Aldie

Fairfax Court-House, Va, Saturday, Feb. 7, 1863.

A detachment from Companies H and F of the 5th New-York Cavalry, under Capt. Penfield, yesterday made a raid to Middleburg, and at Aldie captured eight of the 1st Virginia (Rebel) Cavalry and the Postmaster at Little Washington. They were on their way to a ball given to them by the citizens of that place, and were fully armed and equipped. Among them were, it is supposed, some officers, but they refuse to disclose their rank. Most of those captured belonged to Capt. Monley’s party, who have been attacking our pickets along the picket lines. They were excellently mounted, and their horses were also captured.