Cutting Wires

According to the Naval Historical Center, “A landing party from Thomas Freeborn cut telegraph lines stretching from Occoquan and Fredericksburg, Va., to Richmond, Va., on 4 October 1862.”

It’s already been 15 months since the Freeborn’s commander, James Harmon Ward, was mortally wounded at Mathias Point.

"Engagement between the Gunboat Flotilla, Freeborn and Reliance, under the Command of Captain James H. Ward, and a Secession Force at Mathias Point, Va., on the Potomac River -- Death of Captain Ward.", 27 June 1861

Thomas Freeborn on left

"Infernal machines discovered in the Potomac near Aquia Creek by the flotilla for whose destruction they were intended'"  Sketch by A. Waud from a photograph by James F. Gibson, 1861

And speaking of technology

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