Tag Archives: Union Navy

long career, short retirement

Posted on March 22, 2020 by SUMPTER

When the recently-launched (January) USS Richmond departed for the Mediterranean on October 13, 1860, its namesake was the capital of one of the United States, albeit one of the original thirteen – Virginia, the Old Dominion. When the ship returned … Continue reading →

Posted in 100 Years Ago, 150 Years Ago, Naval Matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

still in the navy

Posted on October 2, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in October 1864: AGAIN PROMOTED. – We are pleased to learn that Ensign John P. Arnett, son of Wm. Arnett, Esq., of this village, has been promoted to be Third Lieutenant in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Naval Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Ensign Arnett

Posted on March 6, 2014 by SUMPTER

A sailor from Seneca Falls had a rough fortnight to begin 1863. His ship was blown up during the Battle of Galveston on New Year’s Day; on the 11th his new ship was sunk by the CSS Alabama. Here’s some … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, Naval Matters | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Rule, Britannia! rule the waves

Posted on January 26, 2013 by SUMPTER

The following Southern editorial questions why Great Britain was remaining neutral during the American Civil War because, if the American states had not broken up, the United States would have eventually overtaken Britain as the world’s leading maritime power. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, American Society, Naval Matters, Southern Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sumpter Returns

Posted on September 15, 2011 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times September 16, 1861: RETURN OF THE AFRICAN SQUADRON. The United States steam gun-boat Sumter arrived in this port yesterday morning, from St. Paul de Loando, Africa. She is the avant-courier of the African squadron, the whole … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Military Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Put Money Where Mouth Was

Posted on June 27, 2011 by SUMPTER

Civil War Daily Gazette has the story of the failed Union effort to take Mathias Point, Virginia on this date 150 years ago. During the engagement James Harmon Ward was mortally wounded, becoming “the first officer of the United States … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, After Fort Sumter, Military Matters | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Steam Power Proponent (and Engineer) Promoted

Posted on March 26, 2011 by admin

From The New-York Times March 27, 1861 (The New York Times Archive): The Engineer-in-Chief of the Navy. The appointment of BENJ. F. ISHERWOOD to be Engineer-in-Chief of the Navy gives very marked satisfaction to those in the service. He is … Continue reading →

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Lincoln Administration, Military Matters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment