A Run Up River

Union Admiral David Farragut tried to run his fleet by the batteries at Port Hudson March 14^th 1863.

Around eleven on the night of March 14^th 1863, Union Admiral David Farragut ran his fleet of seven ships by the Port Hudson batteries.  Hoping to get his ships up the river and block Confederate river traffic on the Red River.  It brought on a three hour battle between the Union ships and Confederate batteries.  Five of the Union ships were disabled, with the USS Mississippi being run aground, burned and abandoned. The remaining two Union ships the USS Hartford which was Farragut’s flagship, and the USS Albatross made it through with some damage.

The two remaining ships were able to stop Confederate re-supply of Port Hudson by the Red River.

If you’re interested in knowing more Farragut's Run at Port Hudson is a good place to start.

Died While The Ironclad Attacked

Union Navy Lieutenant Joseph B Smith was killed while commanding the USS Congress March 8^th 1862, when attacked by the CSS Virginia.

Joseph B Smith was born in Belfast, Maine in 1826, the son of United State Commodore Joseph Smith.  He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1841 as midshipman and was part of the graduating class on 1847.  After graduation Smith served at the Washington Navy Yard on the USS Mississippi and took part in the United States Coastal Survey.  He was promoted in 1855 to Lieutenant and assigned the USS Merrimack, a steam frigate.  In 1857 Smith was given ordnance duty at the Washington Navy Yard in DC.

As the Civil War approached Smith was ordered to the USS Congress as Executive Officer.  On March 8^th 1862 when the Confederate ironclad the CSS Virginia attacked and destroyed the USS Congress, Smith was the acting commander.  He was killed during the battle.  The USS Congress surrendered and was destroyed when her powder magazine exploded.