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McLean Research Associates is dedicated to presenting little known facts about the US Navy in the Civil War, presentations on a myriad of astronomical topics,STEM workshops, and letterboxing.

In commemoration of the 160 years since the Civil War - or more appropriately in the vernacular of the day - The War of the Slaveholders' Rebellion - we are featuring a quote and picture of the day from the Naval Records

John Ericsson, builder of the the famous USS Monitor. A man both loved and despised for his iron ship.

Wed Feb 22 1865

RADM David D Porter, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes SECNAV "I have the honor to inform you that Wilmington has been evacuated and is in possession of our troops. After the evacuation of Fort Anderson I pushed the gunboats up as far as the water would permit, the army pushing up at the same time on the right and left banks of the river.
    After sounding and buoying out the middle ground at Big Island I succeeded in getting the gunboats over, and opened fire on Fort Strong, the work commanding the principal obstructions, where the rebels had also sunk a large steamer, the North Easter. Our fire soon drove the rebels away from the fort. Now and then they would fire a shot, one of which struck the Sassacus below the water line and set her to leaking badly. She was struck once or twice more, but with no loss in men. That night (the 20th) the rebels sent down 200 floating torpedoes, but I had a strong force of picket boats out, and the torpedoes were sunk with musketry. One got in the wheel of the Osceola and blew her wheelhouse to pieces, and knocked down her bulkheads inboard, but there was no damage to the hull. Some of the vessels picked up the torpedoes with their torpedo nets. The next morning I spread two fishing nets across the river.
    Yesterday evening General Ames, with his division, moved up within a short distance of the fort and had a sharp encounter with the rebels. On hearing the musketry and seeing where our troops were I opened a rapid fire on the fort and all along the enemy's line. The fort responded with three or four shot, but was soon silenced. This morning we heard that General Terry was within their works, and the road was clear to Wilmington.
    The Montauk could not get across the shoals without lightening, which was a work of some labor. As I shall not need her here I will send her up James River, where her services are required.
    I had the pleasure of placing the flag on Fort Strong, and at 12 o'clock noon to-day shall fire a salute of thirty-five guns, this being the anni- versary of Washington's birthday."

RADM Jonathan Dahlgren, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes MGEN Q A Gillmore, USA, Department of the South, "I am just in receipt of your communication of to-day, stating that you are about to move a force toward the Santee River, and asking if I could send some gunboats on a reconnoissance in that river.
    In reply I am able to inform you that with a view to a communication with General Sherman I had already placed two gunboats inside the harbor of Georgetown, and have ordered other vessels there to be in readiness for any movement that might be of use to General Sherman.
    The Santee has but little depth at its bar, and I am therefore obliged to send such vessels as can enter.
    The Geranium, a tug of about 6 or 7 feet draft, was sent there with two howitzer launches to pioneer the way for the McDonough and to examine the channel, as well as the road to Georgetown.
    I just learn that the Geranium finds it too rough, and is now at Georgetown awaiting an opportunity to get into the Santee, but she will no doubt obey the orders as soon as it is possible to do so.
    Am I to understand that the gunboats are to accompany the troops from this place to Georgetown, or after they reach that place? Orders for either will be given, if you will please to let me know what you desire."

RADM S K Stribling, East Gulf Blockading Squadron, writes SECNAV "I have the honor to report the capture of the schooner Delia, under English colors, near Bayport, on the 17th instant, by the Mahaska, Lieutenant-Commander Gibson commanding, with a cargo of pig lead and some cases of sabers.
I forward Lieutenant-Commander Gibson's report of the capture to the Department, but have withheld the muster roll for correction."

CAPT George F Emmons 2nd Division, West Gulf Blockading Squadron writes, CMDR James S Palmer, West Gulf Blockading Squadron, "I forward you with this the report of Lieutenant-Commander Erben, of the U. S. gunboat Pinola, and of the officer in charge of a boat expedition, which, like several previous ones improvised in this division, proved a complete success to the extent of cutting out and destroying the armed rebel schooner Anna Dale, which, it will be seen, was only waiting an addition to her crew to put to sea from Pass Cavallo to prey upon our commerce.
I will forward the prisoners by the first opportunity.
The master, Joseph F. Stevenson, surrendered to the boarding officer as a lieutenant of the Confederate Navy, and subsequently, when questioned, said he was a master in the same service, but could show no evidence of rank or authority. He and his crew, I think, are fit subjects for hard labor at the Dry Tortugas for the remainder of this war at least, of course if time enough be given. As in the case of other lawless acts on our Northern border, the rebel President or his Secretary of the Navy will endorse this fellow and all of his acts so long as they are aimed against our flag or country."

MGEN E R S Canby, USA, Military Division of West Mississippi, writes RADM Samuel P Lee, Mississippi Squadron, "I have the honor to enclose for your information copy of a confidential circular to commanders of departments and districts Within this division and to request that you Will be pleased to issue such orders to your divisional commanders as Will secure increased vigilance on their part while we are operating east of the Mississippi and while the garrisons guarding the river are temporarily reduced.
Our operations against Mobile will commence in the early part of next month, and cooperative cavalry movements will take place from Vicksburg, Memphis, Baton Rouge, and Pensacola. The navy in Mobile Bay is ready to do their part of the work. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the monitors and tinclads which you were kind enough to promise us."

Teachers and Educators - we have several Civil War presentations covering the US Navy throughout the Civil War which include our portable museum, Submarines, and key naval and land battles. Check out our Civil War section for more details. We also have several presentations on astronomy for all age groups

validated!