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INCLUDING:
Monday,
Oct. 7, 1861
PERSISTENT PROCRASTINATOR PURSUES PRICE
Gen. Sterling Price, who had only left Missouri after the battle of
Wilson’s Creek to organize and train his Confederate forces, had come
back with a vengeance, and a mission: take the state into the waiting
arms of the Confederacy. Opposing him, in theory, was John C. Fremont,
head of the Union forces in St. Louis. Unfortunately, since his
appointment to replace the fallen Nathaniel Lyon, Fremont had spent his
time infuriating the populace with emancipation and other proclamations,
and engaging in political disputes with other Union officials. Price had
besieged and defeated the garrison at Lexington and marched around the
state with impunity, although not with the popular uprising of support
he had hoped for. Finally, today, Fremont marched out in pursuit.
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1862
CHANCELLOR’S COMMENTS CREATE CONFEDERATE CELEBRATION
It would probably not cause great excitement in the United States today
if the Secretary of the Treasury commented on political activities in
another nation undergoing a civil war. It caused huge excitement,
however, when the British Chancellor of the Exchequer made such a
statement. The chancellor in question was W.E. Gladstone, and his
comparatively lowly cabinet status did not reflect the level of power he
held in the Queen’s government. He announced today that Jefferson Davis
and his leaders had “made a nation” and he anticipated “the success of
their fight for separation.” As recognition of the Confederate States of
America was most emphatically not the policy of Her Majesty, the remarks
were as heavily criticized in England and they were celebrated in
Richmond.
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1863
OSAGE OVERLAND OPERATION OBSERVED
Acting Chief Engineer Thomas Doughty engaged in a curious naval action
today. His ship, the USS Osage, docked on the west bank of the
Mississippi River. From there, Doughty led a landing party through the
brush and vines and swamps overland to the Red River, a hotbed of
Confederate shipping both military and civilian. They got to their
destination, the steamer Argus, tied up to the bank of the river. Her
crew not looking for a naval attack from the landward side, they were
promptly captured along with their boat. It was the Union seamen’s turn
to be surprised when another Confederate ship, the steamer Robert Fulton
came chugging down the stream. Doughty calmly ordered the vessel to
“come to,” and having no reason not to, she did and was just as promptly
captured. The Argus was burned on the spot. They tried to sail the
Fulton to rejoin the Union fleet on the Mississippi, but she got stuck
on a bar and was also burned. Doughty, his men and their nine prisoners
returned to the Osage without a casualty.
Friday, Oct. 7, 1864
BAHIA, BRAZIL BATTLE BAD FOR BOAT
Second only to Raphael Semmes Alabama in fame was her sister ship, the
Confederate commerce raider CSS Florida. Both built in Liverpool, they
had gone their separate ways and after taking 37 prizes in her career,
Florida pulled into Bahia, Brazil for resupply and refueling. Close on
her heels was Commander Napoleon Collins and the USS Wachusett, who had
been seeking them for months. Collins sent a message to Florida’s
captain, Lt. Morris, daring him to come out of the neutral harbor and
fight. Morris declined, and Brazilian authorities ordered both ships to
maintain the peace in Brazilian waters. Collins ignored this, steamed in
and rammed Florida while Morris and most of her crew were ashore.
Damaged but not sinking, Florida was surrendered after both ships
exchanged cannon fire. This infuriated the Brazilians, who turned their
harbor guns on Wachusett as she steamed away with Florida in tow to
Hampton Roads, Va. |
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:
The United States Navy - 1775
AND 
