Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of Rebellion, Series I, Volume 17 by United States Department of the Navy

Author:United States Department of the Navy
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Official Records, Civil War
Publisher: United States Department of the Navy
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

See page 500

Page 497

EAST GULF BLOCKADING SQUADRON. 497

1,000 bales, then come down the river to St. Marks, storm the fort, cut the wires, tear up the railroad track, and throw the guns into the river, returning to the ships in the Spray. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. F. CROSMAN, Lieutenant- tJommander, CL S. Navy.

Acting Rear-Admiral THEODORUS BAILEY, Commanding Eastern G& ~f Squadron.

Report of Acting Master Chatfield, U. S. Navy, regarding expedition to Marshs Island for the destruction of salt works.

U. S. S. SOMERSET, EASTERN GULF BLOCKADING SQUADRON, Off Ocklockonee Bay, Fla., Jidy 16, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to your order directing me to organize an expedition for the purpose of destroying the salt works on Marshs Island, Apalachee Bay, I left the ship at 1 oclock p. m. July 15, with the two cutters and launches, carrying a force of 70 officers and men. The gig accompanied the expedition as an ambulance boat, in charge of Assistant Surgeon Cooke. Having ascertained that there were two different sets of works upon the island, 1 landed my whole force, threw out pickets and deployed a line of skirmishers to protect the working parties. I found at this place some contrabands, who informed me that there were no troops upon the island, all having left one week before. We here destroyed 27 salt boilers, about 60 bushels of salt, and burned all the buildings, etc., thus thoroughly breaking up the establishments. Six of the 10 or 12 contrabands found at this place claiming my protection, I brought them off with me, and they are now on board. The boats from the U. S. S. Stars and Stripes landed about one-half mile to the right of us, destroyed 23 boilers, etc., and captured 3 prisoners. Uniting our forces, we reconnoitered the whole island, and ascer- taining that there were no more works of any kind, we returned to the ship, arriving on board at 7 oclock p. m. The combined result of the expedition was the destruction of 50 salt boilers, together with their buildings, etc., and 60 bushels of salt, the capture of 3 prisoners,, and bringing off of 6 contrabands. We met with no opposition and returned without any accident. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. CHATFIELD, Acting iliaster, CL S. Navy. Lieutenant-Commander A. F. CROSMAN, U. S. Navy, Comdg. CL S. S. So?nerset, East Gulf Blockading Squadron. N w RYOL 17 3

Page 498

498 EAST GULF BLOCKADING SQUADRON.

Report of Acting Master Willcomb, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Stars and Stripes, regarding expedition in St. Marks River.

U.S. S. STARS AND STRIPES, St. iliarks Bay, Eta., J~ily 19, 1863.

SIR: On the 12th instant U. S. S. Somerset, Lieutenant-Commander A. F. Crosman, arrived here. I immediately went on board, when Captain Crosman informed me that he intended to proceed up to St. Marks with all the available force at his and my command. I told him I was ready.

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