John J. Gibson, M.D. Surgeon, Federal U. S. Navy   GRADUATE OF JEFFERSON MEDICAL COLLEGE OF March 1856,  From Illinois, Thesis subject: milk-sickness. Gibson, John J.  Assistant Surgeon, 4 July, 1860. Surgeon, 22 September, 1863. Died 19 February, 1870 Key West,  Fla. Civil War Naval Surgeon John J. Gibson. Gibson was born in Ohio and appointed from Illinois in 1860; entered service as an Assistant Surgeon and attached to steam sloop Saranac Pacific Squadron 1860 - 63; Surgeon 1863; steam sloop Hartford West Blockading Squadron 1864; steam sloop Oneida West Gulf Blockading Squadron 1864 - 65   Dr. John J. Gibson     USS Saranac (1848) USS Saranac (1848) – a sloop of war -- was laid down in 1847 during the Mexican-American War; however, by the time she completed sea trials, the war was over. She was commissioned in 1850 and saw service protecting American interests in the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Pacific Ocean. When the American Civil War broke out, Saranac patrolled America’s West Coast. Retained by the Navy post-war, she continued serving her country until wrecking in 1875. After re-commissioning on 17 September 1857, she got underway to begin the long voyage south round Cape Horn and back up the Pacific Ocean coast of the Americas for duty along the west coast of the United States. She was still performing this duty when the Civil War erupted, and she remained at the task of protecting American commerce along the coast of California throughout the war. After the Confederacy had collapsed, Saranac cruised at sea in search of Southern cruiser, Shenandoah, which remained a menace to Union shipping until belatedly learning of the end of the war.   USS Hartford (1858) USS Hartford (1858) Civil War, 1861–1865  With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Hartford was ordered home. She departed the Sunda Strait with Dacotah on 30 August 1861 and arrived Philadelphia on 2 December to be fitted out for wartime service. She departed the Delaware Capes on 28 January as flagship of Flag Officer David G. Farragut, the commander of the newly created West Gulf Blockading Squadron.   Rear Admiral David G. Farragut,  Captain Percival Drayton Officers: Lieutenant Commander L. A. Kimberly; Lieutenant H. B. Tyson and J. C. Watson; Fleet Surgeon James C. Palmer; Fleet Paymaster Edward T. Dunn; Surgeon, John J. Gibson; Assistant Surgeon William Commons; Paymater William T. Merideth; Marine Captain Charles Hayywood; Marine First Lieutenant C. L. Sherman; Ensigns C. D. jones and LaRue P. Adams; Acting Ensigns William H. Whiting, G. D. B. Glidden; C. W. Snow and George Munday; Pilot Martin Freeman; Acting Master's Mates J. J. Tinelli, William H. Hathorne, W. H. Childs, R. P. Herrick, G. R. Avery and H. Brownell; Fleet Engineer William H. Shock; Chief Engineer Thom Williamson; Second Assistant Engineers E. B. Latch, F. A. Wilson, Lsaac DeGraff, C. M. Burchard and John Wilson; Third Assistant Engineers J. E. Speights, H. L. Pinkington and Alfred Hoyt; Boatswain Robert Dixon; Gunner J. L. Staples; Carpenter O. S. Stimson; Sailmaker T. C. Herbert. An even larger purpose than the important blockade of the South's Gulf Coast lay behind Farragut's assignment. Late in 1861, the Union high command decided to capture New Orleans, the South's richest and most populous city, to begin a drive of sea-based power up the Mississippi River to meet the Union Army which was to drive down the Mississippi valley behind a spearhead of armored gunboats. "Other operations," Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles warned Farragut, "must not be allowed to interfere with the great object in view—the certain capture of the city of New Orleans." Hartford arrived 20 February at Ship Island, Mississippi, midway between Mobile Bay and the mouths of the Mississippi. Several Union ships and a few Army units were already in the vicinity when the squadron's flagship dropped anchor at the advanced staging area for the attack on New Orleans. In ensuing weeks a mighty fleet assembled for the campaign. In mid-March Commander David Dixon Porter's flotilla of mortar schooners arrived towed by steam gunboats. The next task was to get Farragut's ships across the bar, a constantly shifting mud bank at the mouth of each pass entering the Mississippi. Farragut managed to get all of his ships but Colorado across the bar and into the river where Forts St. Philip and Jackson challenged further advance. A line of hulks connected by strong barrier chains, six ships of the Confederate Navy—including ironclad Manassas and unfinished but potentially deadly ironclad Louisiana, two ships of the Louisiana Navy, a group of converted river steamers called the Confederate River Defense Fleet, and a number of fire rafts also stood between Farragut and the great Southern metropolis. On 16 April, the Union ships moved up the river to a position below the forts, and David Porter's gunboats first exchanged fire with the Southern guns. Two days later his mortar schooners opened a heavy barrage which continued for six days. On the 21st, the squadron's Fleet Captain, Henry H. Bell, led a daring expedition up river and, despite a tremendous fire on him, cut the chain across the river. In the early hours of 24 April, a red lantern on Hartford's mizzen peak signaled the fleet to get underway and steam through the breach in the obstructions. As the ships closed the forts their broadsides answered a fire from the Confederate guns. Porter's mortar schooners and gunboats remained at their stations below the southern fortifications covering the movement with rapid fire. Hartford dodged a run by ironclad ram Manassas; then, while attempting to avoid a fireraft, grounded in the swift current near Fort St. Philip. When the burning barge was shoved alongside the flagship, only Farragut's leadership and the training of the crew saved Hartford from being destroyed by flames which at one point engulfed a large portion of the ship. Meanwhile the sloop's gunners never slackened the pace at which they poured broadsides into the forts. As her firefighters snuffed out the flames, the flagship backed free of the bank. When Farragut's ships had run the gantlet and passed out of range of the fort's guns, the Confederate River Defense Fleet attempted to stop their progress. In the ensuing melee, they managed to sink converted merchantman Varwut, the only Union ship lost during the historic night. Battle of New Orleans, 1862 Main article: Battle of New Orleans (American Civil War) The next day, after silencing Confederate batteries, a few miles below New Orleans, Hartford and her sister ships anchored off the city early in the afternoon. A handful of ships and men had won a great decisive victory that secured the South could not win the war. Early in May, Farragut ordered several of his ships up stream to clear the river and followed himself in Hartford on the 7th to join in the conquest of the valley. Defenseless, Baton Rouge and Natchez promptly surrendered to the Union ships and no significant opposition was encountered until 18 May when the Confederate commandant at Vicksburg replied to Commander Samuel P. Lee's demand for surrender: "... Mississippians don't know and refuse to learn, how to surrender to an enemy. If Commodore Farragut or Brigadier General Butler can teach them, let them come and try." When Farragut arrived on the scene a few days later, he learned that heavy Southern guns mounted on the bluff at Vicksburg some 200 feet (60 m) above the river could shell his ships while his own guns could not be elevated enough to hit them back. Since sufficient troops were not available to take the fortress by storm, the Flag Officer headed downstream on 27 May leaving gunboats to blockade it from below. Orders awaited Farragut at New Orleans, where he arrived on 30 May, directing him to open the river and join the Western Flotilla and stating that Abraham Lincoln himself had given the task highest priority. The Flag Officer recalled Porter's mortar schooners from Mobile, Alabama and dutifully got underway up the Mississippi in Hartford on 8 June. Battle of Vicksburg, 1863: Main article: Siege of Vicksburg The Union Squadron was assembled just below Vicksburg by 26 June. Two days later the Union ships, their own guns blazing at rapid fire and covered by an intense barrage from the mortars, suffered little damage while running past the batteries. Flag Officer Davis, commanding the Western Flotilla, joined Farragut above Vicksburg on the 30th; but again, naval efforts to take Vicksburg were frustrated by a lack of troops. "Ships," Porter commented, "... cannot crawl up hills 300 feet high, and it is that part of Vicksburg which must be taken by the Army." On 22 July, Farragut received orders to return down the river at his discretion and he got underway on 24 July, reached New Orleans in four days, and after a fortnight sailed to Pensacola, Florida, for repairs. The flagship returned to New Orleans on 9 November to prepare for further operations in the unpredictable waters of the Mississippi. The Union Army, ably supported by the Mississippi Squadron, was pressing, on Vicksburg from above, and Farragut wanted to assist in the campaign by blockading the mouth of the Red River from which supplies were pouring eastward to the Confederate Army. Meanwhile, the South had been fortifying its defenses along the river and had erected powerful batteries at Port Hudson, Louisiana. On the night of 14 March, Farragut in Hartford and accompanied by six other ships, attempted to run by these batteries. However, they encountered such heavy and accurate fire that only the flagship and Albatross, lashed alongside, succeeded in running the gantlet. Thereafter, Hartford and her consort patrolled between Port Hudson and Vicksburg denying the Confederacy desperately needed supplies from the West. Porter's Mississippi Squadron, cloaked by night, dashed downstream past the Vicksburg batteries on 16 April, while General Ulysses S. Grant marched his troops overland to a new base also below the Southern stronghold. April closed with the Navy ferrying Grant's troops across the river to Bruinsburg whence they encircled Vicksburg and forced the beleaguered fortress to surrender on 4 July. With the Mississippi River now opened, Farragut turned his attention to Mobile, a Confederate industrial center still building ships and turning out war supplies. The Battle of Mobile Bay took place on 5 August 1864. Farragut, with Hartford as his flagship, led a fleet consisting of four ironclad monitors and 14 wooden vessels. The Confederate naval force was composed of newly built ram Tennessee, Admiral Franklin Buchanan's flagship, and gunboats Selma, Morgan, and Gaines; and backed by the powerful guns of Forts Morgan and Gaines in the Bay. From the firing of the first gun by Fort Morgan to the raising of the white flag of surrender by Tennessee little more than three hours elapsed—but three hours of terrific fighting on both sides. The Confederates had only 32 casualties, while the Union forces suffered 335 casualties, including 113 men drowned in Tecumseh when the monitor struck a torpedo and sank. Abstract log of the U. S. S. Hartford, Commodore James S. Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding, December 15, 1863.--At 2:15 p.m. went into commission, [navy yard], New York. The following officers reported for duty: Commodore James S. Palmer, Lieutenant-Commander L. A. Kimberly, Chief Engineer Thom Williamson, Surgeon J. J. Gibson, Paymaster William T. Meredith, Lieutenant H. B. Tyson, Captain Charles Heywood, U. S. Marine Corps; Lieutenant Charles L. Sherman, U. S. Marine Corps; Assistant Surgeon Joseph Hugg, Ensigns C. D. Jones, La Rue P. Adams, H. T. Grafton, William H. Whiting, and George D. B. Glidden; Second assistant Engineers E. B. Latch, F. A. Wilson, John Wilson, Isaac De Graff, and Charles M. Burchard; Third Assistant Engineers H. L. Pilkington and James E. Speights; Commodore's Clerk F. T. Mason, Pay Clerk H. N. Wood, Acting Master's Mates [W.] H. Hathorne, George R. Avery, Joseph J. Tinelli, William H. Childs; Boatswain Robert Dixon, Gunner John L. Staples, Carpenter O. T. Stimson, Sailmaker Theodore C. Herbert. Received on board 26 petty officers, 32 seamen, 33 ordinary seamen, 38 landsmen, 12 boys, 14 Firemen and 11 coal heavers. Discharged 4 petty officers, 5 seamen, 9 ordinary seamen, 1 landsman, 1 fireman; their times having expired. January 4, 1864.--At 11:45 a.m. the commodore came on board and 11:15 the admiral [D. G. Farragut] and two lieutenants. January 5.--From meridian to 4 p.m.: Steaming out of New York Harbor in charge of the pilot. January 17.--At 7:40 a.m. came to anchor (Pensacola Harbor). January 19.--At 9:20 a.m. anchored, Mobile Point light bearing (true) N., Sand Island light-house bearing (true) N. by W. ½ W., distant about 8 miles. January 20.--From 8 to meridian: The Octorara arrived, with the admiral on board, and the Itasca, stood inshore toward Sand Island. At 1:30 p.m. the admiral and staff returned from a reconnoissance of Fort Morgan. At 6:30 p.m. got underway and stood for the mouth of the Mississippi. January 22.--At 3:50 p.m. came to anchor off New Orleans. February 9.--At 12:45 a.m. got underway and headed for Pensacola Harbor. At 11:55 a.m. came to anchor in Pensacola Harbor. Captain Percival Drayton to-day assumed command of this ship. April 2.--At 12:05 p.m. Rear-Admiral David G. Farragut and staff, consisting of Fleet Captain Percival Drayton, <nor21_797>Flag-Lieutenant J. C. Watson, Admiral's Secretary Alex. McKinley, Flag-Ensign T. W. Davis, Flag Master's Mate H. H. Brownell, and Coast Pilot Freeman, left the ship. The admiral transferred his flag to the U. S. S. Tennessee. When the Tennessee had left the harbor, Captain Jenkins, of the Richmond, hoisted his divisional pennant. April 26.--At 6 p.m. admiral and staff arrived per Tennessee; returned on board. May 22.--Blockade off Mobile. From 6 to 8 p.m.: Transported both the 100-pounder Parrott rifled guns to topgallant forecastle and 30-pounder Parrott to poop deck. May 24.--Seven of the enemy's steamers in sight up the bay at daylight. From meridian to 4 p.m.: Admiral and staff went on board the Metacomet, who got underway and stood close inshore. At 3:30 admiral and staff returned. May 30.--At 11:20 a.m. the Metacomet opened fire on the enemy, who were engaged in throwing up batteries to the westward of Fort Morgan, distance 3½ miles. She threw four shells, which dislodged the rebels. June 6.--At 6:20 a.m. the admiral left the ship and went on board the Philippi, which got underway and stood to the westward. At 9 a.m. the Metacomet brought in the prize steamer Donegal. June 7.--From midnight to 4 a.m.: Repeated firing of guns both from fleet near the Swash Channel and Fort Morgan. Saw several lights beating N. N.E. Picket boats made signal. June 11.--At 5:10 p.m. went to quarters and saw battery ready for action at a moment's notice. June 17.--At 1 p.m. the Glasgow arrived, having on board Major-General Canby and staff. From 8 to midnight: At 9 the rebels signaling from Fort Gaines. June 30.--At 12 meridian saw black smoke bearing E. S. E. At 12:30 p.m. made signal to the Metacomet, after which she immediately got underway and stood to the southward and eastward. At 11:45 p.m. saw a signal (Coston) bearing N. E., but could not make out the number; it was immediately followed by flashes of heavy guns from N. ½ W. July 1.--At daylight discovered a blockade runner ashore about 1¾ miles E. from Fort Morgan. Sent Metacomet, Irasea, Seminole, Pembina, Genesee, and Port Royal in to open fire upon her. At 6 a.m. fire opened and Fort Morgan replied at long intervals. From 8 to meridian: All the vessels of the fleet, except the Richmond, Brooklyn, Ossipee, and Lackawanna engaged in firing at the blockade runner, supposed to be the Danby [Denhigh]. At 1:30 p.m. the Monongahela, Galena, Metacomet, Port Royal, and Genesee engaged in firing at the blockade runner on the beach. At 1 [2?] the Metacomet, Seminole, Genesee, Itasca, and Pembina withdrew and came out and anchored. At 2:15 Monongahela withdrew and came out and anchored. From 4 to 6 p.m.: During the watch the Pembina, Port Royal, Galena, and Seminole were engaged firing at the blockade runner; they were occasionally fired at from the forts and batteries on shore. July 2.--At 10 a.m. the Monongahela and Metacomet got underway and went in and fired at the blockade runner. From 4 to 6 p.m.: The admiral and staff left the ship in the Glasgow to observe the blockade runner ashore. At 11 p.m. a fire on Fort Morgan. <nor21_798> July 3.--At 1 a.m. the vessel bearing N. E. by N. burned Coston signal R. G. and threw rockets to eastward. At 2:40 the Pembina, Itasca, and Glasgow opened fire on the vessel on the shore. Fort Morgan and the sand battery and rebel gunboat returned the fire. The firing lasted until 3:30. At 10:35 p.m. the gunboats commenced firing on the prize steamer, which was answered by the batteries on shore. The firing continued until 11:20 p.m. From meridian to 4 p.m.: The Metacomet inshore firing at the blockade runner on beach. At 10:35 p.m. the gunboats commenced firing on the prize steamer, which was answered by the batteries until 11:20 p.m. July 4.--At 2:30 p.m. Lackawanna made signal. She then stood in and engaged the batteries. At 1 p.m. the admiral and staff went on board the Cowslip and stood inshore toward the blockade runner on the beach. At 5 p.m. the Lackawanna, Galena, Oneida, Seminole, Monongahela, and Genesee ceased firing and came out and anchored near us. July 5.--At midnight discovered a steamer bearing N. E., which proved to be the Kennebec. At 2:05 she came within hail, and the captain came on board and reported the enemy trying to get off the prize. She was immediately sent back and the Cowslip sent to order three steamers to go to her assistance and shell the enemy. At 3:15 the vessels opened fire. At daylight the vessels came from their stations. The masts of the blockade runner had been taken out during the night. At 7 p.m. sent the gig, barge, and fourth cutter, armed, to destroy the blockade runner on the beach. July 6.--At 12:40 a.m. saw a fire bearing N. ½ E., supposed to be the blockade runner on the beach. At 1:45 a.m. our three boats returned to the ship, having set the blockade runner on fire. Fire still burning at 4 o'clock. July 7.--At 6:30 p.m. inspected crew at quarters. Sent the fourth cutter and gig on an expedition to blow up the steamer on the beach. July 3.--At 2:30 a.m. discovered a flash of light as if from a gun bearing N., followed by five other smaller flashes bearing N. by E. At 2:55 discovered a light bearing N. by E.; proved to be the Glasgow. At 4 the expedition in charge of Lieutenant Watson returned. They found the rebels on board the steamer prepared to receive them. The boats made no attempt to board, but were fired into by the troops on board the steamer, from a battery on the beach, and also from Fort Morgan. One man, William Hawkins, was wounded, shot through both hips. From meridian to 4 p.m.: William Hawkins, seaman, died from wounds received in the expedition last night against 'the blockade runner ashore on the beach. From 4 to 6 p.m.: Major-Generals Canby and Granger and their respective staffs, accompanied by Commodore Palmer, visited the ship. July 9.--At 12 midnight a green and white light (Coston) was burned, bearing about N. E. by N. Saw bright light moving to the northward from the eastward. July 10.--At daylight discovered a rebel blockade runner ashore about one-fourth of a mile to the eastward of Fort Morgan. At 5:50 the Monongahela got underway and stood in for her. From 8 to meridian: Galena, Monongahela, and Genesee engaged firing on the blockade runner on shore. At 10:15 the Lackawanna got underway and went to fire at the vessel ashore. From meridian to 4 p.m.: The Lackawanna engaged firing at the blockade runner. A rebel river <nor21_799>steamer came outside at 3:45, apparently to assist the blockade runner off or to take her cargo. The Seminole and Metacomet were ordered to shell her, which they did. At 4:05 p.m. discovered a steamer running out from Fort Morgan and run toward the prize steamer ashore. Immediately made general signal to the Metacomet and Seminole and they immediately got underway and stood in and shelled the steamer. July 11.--At 9:40 a.m. the Oneida opened fire upon the blockade runner ashore under the guns of Fort Morgan. Practice good and the fire returned from the fort. At 1:45 p.m. the vessel ashore backed off the shoal and started ahead, but got aground again on southwest spit off Fort Morgan. At 2:20 she backed off, but got aground again a little to the eastward of the fort. At 3 the Ariel, a large river steamer, came down to assist the blockade runner. Sent in the gunboats Kennebec and Pinola to shell her. The river steamer then went up the bay. The rebel steamer on guard duty off the spit went up the bay. From 4 to 6 p.m.: During the watch the steamers Kennebec and Pinola ceased firing at the steamer on the beach. At 6:30 p.m. Admiral Farragut and Lieutenant Watson went on board the U. S. S. Tennessee, hoisting his pennant there. July 22.--At daylight made out the rebel gunboats Morgan and Gaines at anchor off the spit. At 8 the blockade runner which came down the bay last night got underway and went up the bay. July 28.--From 8 to meridian: The rebel ram Tennessee got underway and moved around inside the harbor, firing a few shot apparently at a target. The blockade runner which was at Fort Morgan went up the bay at 11. August 3.--From 8 to meridian: Lieutenant Kinney, of the Signal Corps, U. S. Army, and 8 privates reported for duty on board this ship. August 4.--At 11 a.m. monitor Winnebago opened fire on Fort Gaines, which was returned by the Fort. Enemy landing troops at Fort Gaines. At 10:45 p.m. heard two reports as heavy guns in the direction of Fort Gaines. August 5.--Mobile Bay. At 3 a.m. called all hands; furled awnings and stowed them below and made other preparations for battle. At 4:30 the Metacomet lashed on alongside; a delay of several vessels in lashing. At 5:30 made general signal. At 5:30 the Brooklyn got underway. At 5:31 all answered. The river monitor fired two guns at 5:30. At 5:40 the Hartford underway and she stood in for Mobile Bar, the Brooklyn ahead. Wind at first S. W., then W., and cloudy. At 5:45 the last vessel underway. Went to quarters at 5:50. At 5:55 made general signal to Brooklyn; answered. At 6:08 crossed the bar. At 6:22 the Tecumseh fired on the fort. The Manhattan coming out. At 6:20 made signal Seminole; answered. Seminole took the Loyall in tow. At 6:25 vessels reasonably in line. All the monitors out and firing on fort, but not reaching. At 6:35 Ossipee's distinguishing pennant hoisted, flying, answered. At 6:40 hoisted ensign at peak and broke stops of masthead flags. At 6:43 the Hartford abreast of Sand Island light. A delay from Chickasaw not taking her position. At 6:55 start again, vessels ranging tolerably well up. At 6:52 made signal to Chickasaw; not answered. At 7 signal to Brooklyn; answered. At 7:06 Fort Morgan opened fire, the Brooklyn at 7:07, and the Hartford at 7:11, and the action <nor21_800>almost immediately became lively. At 7:22 first hit in the foremast. At 7:24 made signal to Brooklyn; answered. Very great delay from monitors not taking their position. At 7:35 action became sharp and general. Hit in our port netting and Metacomet in wheel. At 7:40 the Tecumseh sunk almost immediately on our starboard beam, from a torpedo, a little to the southward of Fort Morgan. Our gig hit. The engagement now very general and rapid firing on all sides. The Tennessee heads for the Hartford and, with the three gunboats, Selma, Gaines, and Morgan, opened fire on the Hartford exclusively. When within one-third of a mile put his helm astarboard and ran down to the fleet, which was a long way astern. Very sharp engagement of the Hartford with the Morgan, Gaines, and Selma. Our men falling rapidly. From 8 to meridian: At 8:02 cut loose the Metacomet, which proceeded after the Selma. Hartford nearly ahead of everything. Came to anchor at 8:35 in the fleet anchorage. The ram alters his course and makes for the Hartford to engage her before the monitors and fleet, came up. Most of the fleet came up, but the monitors outside and far to the eastward. We got underway and prepared to ram the Tennessee. Monongahela and Lackawanna ordered to prepare to do the same. The Monongahela rams first, then the Lackawanna. The Hartford and Tennessee head on, both ram, both helms astarboard. Our port anchor not being catted catches on the gunwale of the Tennessee and the shank bent so as to bring the flukes nearly parallel with the stock. This cants the Tennessee and the concussion is comparatively slight. She passes rapidly astern, the port sides of the vessels grazing each [other], and when abreast we delivered our broadside of seven IX-inch guns with their utmost depression, 13-pound charges, and solid shot. The Philippi seemed to be burning. We steer to ram her again [the Tennessee], and the Lackawanna, in attempting to do the same thing, strikes us directly abeam, at about 5 knots, just forward of our starboard mizzen rigging, and cuts us within 2 feet; of the water's edge, also carries away our starboard maintopmast backstays. A shot carries away the ram's smokestack, I think by one of our IX-inch shot; and now several of the fleet bearing down on her, she surrenders and hoists the white flag. The Hartford came to anchor about 10 o'clock and the ram was towed up to us by the Winnebago. The Metacomet afterwards brings in the Selma.--WM. STARR DANA. From meridian to 4 p.m.: Flag-of-truce boat having permission for the Metacomet to convey wounded to Pensacola returned. Engaged in clearing up decks. From 4 to 6 p.m.: Firing on the ironclad Chickasaw by Fort Powell. Sent the Loyall to pick up two boats adrift. Got 19 bodies ready for burial. Sent following [5] men with their bags and hammocks to the captured Selma. Received from the Port Royal 2 engineers and several men in the rebel service. From 8 to midnight: Employed until 10:45 removing the wounded men to the Metacomet. At 11:10 p.m. saw an explosion and fire in the direction of Fort Powell, supposed to be that fort. August 6.--At 1:40 a.m. several guns were fired, bearing N. ½ W. The shell traversed from east to west. At 3:54 a bright fire broke out to the northward. At 5:30 a.m. the Metacomet got underway and stood out of Mobile Bay under a flag of truce. Observed a fire at or on Fort Powell. At 6:20 saw the Estrella standing from the sound toward Fort Powell. At 7 saw stars and stripes floating over <nor21_801>Fort Powell. At 7:15 manned rigging and cheered ship. At 7 dispatched ironclad Chickasaw to 'Fort Powell. At about 3:10 p.m. the Chickasaw went in and engaged Fort Gaines. From 4 to 6 p.m. the Chickasaw engaged in shelling Fort Gaines. August 7.--At 7 a.m. a flag-of-truce boat from Fort Gaines, having Major Browne and Lieutenant McCarty, C. S. Army, bearers of dispatches from the commanding officer to Rear-Admiral Farragut, came on board. At 6:45 p.m. the Metacomet got underway and went down to Fort Gaines with a flag of truce. From 8 to midnight: The Metacomet returned with Captain Drayton and Colonel Myer from Fort Gaines, together with two rebel officers. At 8:35 signals made by the army on Dauphin Island and answered by the signal corps of the Hartford on the captured Tennessee. August 8.--At 7:10 a.m. Captain Drayton went in the Loyall to receive the surrender of Fort Gaines. From 8 to midnight: Lieutenants Watson and Tyson and Ensign Whiting returned from embarking prisoners from Fort Gaines to the Bienville and the vessels outside the Mobile bar. August 9.--At 9:30 a.m. sent the boats of the fleet in tow of the Octorara to aid in landing the army. The rebels set fire to the hospital and barracks at Fort Morgan. Also set fire to their own boat, the Gaines. Army transports moved up to Navy Cove and commenced disembarking troops. The Lackawanna, Monongahela, and Itasca moved up and opened fire to cover the troops. The admiral and staff went on board the Cowslip to superintend the movement. The Port Royal got underway and took the Tennessee in tow and took up a position off Fort Morgan to open fire. The monitors Manhattan, Winnebago, and Chickasaw also moved up and took up position to shell Fort Morgan. At 11:30 the Itasca returned, having in tow a sloop and bringing a deserter from Fort Morgan. From meridian to 4 p.m. several vessels of the fleet engaged shelling Fort Morgan. Troops engaged landing on the mainland m rear of Fort Morgan. At 1:18 p.m. Admiral Farragut and staff returned. At 1:20 made preparations to get underway. Sent Lieutenant Watson with a flag of truce to Fort Morgan. At 2:45 Fort Morgan opened fire on the Port Royal, with the Tennessee in tow. The Port Royal dropped the Tennessee and stood from the fort, returning the fire. At 10:45 the Itasca came within hail and reported that the monitor Manhattan was afloat and had anchored ahead of the fleet. August 10.--At 9:30 a.m. a heavy rain squall from the S.W. From meridian to 4 p.m.: The army transport and small vessels of the fleet engaged in carrying troops and provisions from Fort Gaines to Pilot Town. August 13.--At 2 p.m. the prize steamer Tennessee opened fire on Fort Morgan, which was returned by the fort and continued during the watch. From 4 to 6 p.m.: The Winnebago firing at Fort Morgan. At 5 she came up and anchored near us. Winnebago fired five times at the fort; practice good. From 8 to midnight: The monitor Manhattan during the watch threw several shot into the fort. August 14.--The Chickasaw kept up her fire of one shell every thirty minutes at Fort Morgan during the watch. At 4:45 p.m. the monitor Winnebago opened fire on Fort Morgans From 8 to midnight: The monitors keeping up a constant fire on Fort Morgan, with intervals of twenty minutes. <nor21_802> August 15.--At 3 a.m., as the moon was setting, a perfect rainbow was visible in the east against a heavy cloud bank. The monitor fired five times at the fort during the watch. From 4 to 6 p.m.: Keeping a slow fire on Fort Morgan from the batteries on shore. From 8 to midnight: Firing from the fort during the watch. August 16.--From midnight to 4 a.m.: During the watch Fort Morgan fired a few shell in the direction of our army. From 8 to midnight: Regular firing from the Winnebago at Fort Morgan. Occasionally a shot from the shore battery. At 10:50 the fort opened on shore battery. August 17.--From 4 to 6 p.m.: Firing at Fort Morgan from shore battery. From 8 to midnight: Our batteries on shore firing slowly at fort during the latter part of the watch. August 20.--From 8 to midnight: Three shots were fired from the shore batteries, which was returned by Fort Morgan. August 21.--Midnight to 4 a.m.: Our batteries firing about once every half-hour. At 2:10 Fort Morgan opened a heavy fire on our lines and continued it about half an hour. At 3:30 fired several shot again. A bright light on the east end of Fort Morgan, low down. From 4 to 6 p.m.: Fort Morgan fired several times. From 8 to midnight: The fort firing on our batteries about once every five minutes during first part of watch, at longer intervals during latter part. Our batteries do not reply. August 22.--From midnight to 4 a.m.: During the watch Fort Morgan fired a number of times. At 5 a.m. the firing became general from the batteries on shore and the ironclads. The Brooklyn, Ossipee, Monongahela, Richmond, Galena, Seminole, Octorara, and Lackawanna soon moved in and opened fire, all upon Fort Morgan. At 6 the Octorara came down from up the bay. At 11:30 a.m. the Brooklyn came out of action and anchored. Our shore batteries and the fleet firing rapidly at Fort Morgan. No reply. The outside fleet firing occasionally. From meridian to 4 p.m.: The batteries engaged firing upon Fort Morgan. From 4 to 6 p.m.: Firing still kept up at the fort from the ironclads and the batteries on shore. From 6 to 8 p.m.: Our batteries and the monitors shelling Fort Morgan. From 8 to midnight: At 8:20 a large fire broke out on Fort Morgan, and our batteries opened a heavy fire. At 10:10 an explosion took place in the fort. At 10:30 our batteries slackened their fire. At 11:45 the fire broke out to the left and burned very brilliantly. At midnight fire still burning, and batteries keeping up their fire. August 23.--From midnight to 8 a.m.: Firing from shore batteries at Fort Morgan continued at short intervals. The fire inside the fort continuing to burn throughout the watch. From 4 to 8 a.m.: Our batteries firing slowly until 5 a.m., then the fort fired a couple of shots. Our batteries then opened heavily; the fire apparently nearly out. At 5:50 a heavy explosion in the fort and the fire broke out with increased violence. At 6:30 a white flag was hoisted on the fort; our firing ceased. At 7 Captain Drayton and Lieutenant Watson went to Fort Morgan in the Cowslip, which had arrived from the sound. At 9:30 the Cowslip returned with Captain Drayton. From meridian to 4 p.m.: Captain Drayton and staff and General Granger went on board the Cowslip at 1 p.m. and proceeded to Fort Morgan. At 2:15 p.m. the United States flag was hoisted on Fort Morgan and the rebel flag hauled down. The fort surrendered to the combined army and naval <nor21_803>forces at 2 o'clock. At 2:15 fired a salute of sixteen guns, then cheered ship. August 25.--From 4 to 6 p.m.: Received on board Martin Freeman, pilot, and a man from the Metacomet, both wounded by the accidental explosion of a torpedo on shore. November 30.--[Pensacola.] From meridian to 4 p.m.: Got underway and stood out in charge of the pilot. December 12.--At 1:40 p.m. came to with starboard anchor, Sandy Hook light-house bearing W. N. W. ¾ W. December 13.--At meridian got both anchors and went ahead fast up the bay in charge of the pilot. At 2 p.m. the revenue steamer [G.] Brows came alongside; a committee of reception to the admiral came on board. At 3:30 a Swedish man-of-war saluted the broad pennant of Rear-Admiral Farragut with thirteen guns, which this ship returned gun for gun. At 3:15 p.m. came to with starboard anchor off the battery. USS Oneida (1861) The second USS Oneida was a screw sloop-of-war in the United States Navy. Oneida was authorized by Act of Congress, February 1861, and built at the New York Navy Yard; launched 20 November 1861; and commissioned 28 February 1862, Captain Samuel Phillips Lee in command. Civil War, 1862–1865 Shortly after commissioning Oneida sailed from New York and joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron commanded by Flag officer David Farragut. On 24 April she participated in the attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip below New Orleans, Louisiana, and drove off the Confederate ram which sank steam gunboat Varuna. Oneida destroyed CSS Governor Moore in a following engagement, the same date. On 27 April Oneida destroyed obstructions in the Mississippi River above Carrollton, Mississippi, helping prepare the way for the Vicksburg campaign. In both passages of the Confederate works at Vicksburg, 28 June 1862, and 15 July 1862, by the Union Fleet under Admiral Farragut, Oneida was second in line. In August 1862, under command of Commander George H. Preble, Oneida sank the steamer Lewis Whitman loaded with wounded troops. Early in the following month she failed in an attempt to stop the passage of CSS Florida into Mobile, Alabama. From 15 October 1863 to 23 August 1864, Oneida served in blockade operations off Mobile, where on 5 August she participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay and the subsequent capture of CSS Tennessee. At a later date she witnessed the surrender of Fort Morgan at Mobile. Oneida decommissioned 11 August 1865 at New York.