Running the Blockade: Return Flag-- Steamboat Captain-- Mathias Point

Some New News About an Old War.


1. RETURN FLAG-- The North Carolina Museum of History returned a captured Union flag to the Rhode Island National Guard. The silk, v-shaped flag belonged to Co. L, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry and was captured by the 5th NC June 1963 and donated to the museum in the early 1900s.

It is hoped that Rhode Island will return a North Carolina flag captured by Rhode Island soldiers at New Bern March 1862.


2. STEAMBOAT CAPTAIN-- Historical Marker database spotlighted a marker in Owen County, Kentucky, for Samuel Sanders, a steamboat captain before, during and after the war. He sailed on the Kentucky River on occasion under sniper fire from Confederates bringing supplies from Louisville to Monterrey.


3. JAMES H. WARD-- Another HMdb spotlight on US Navy Cmdr. James. H. Ward, the first naval officer killed in action during the war.

In May 1861, Confederates under General Daniel Ruggles and Major Robert Mayo began constructing gun emplacements at Mathias Point, Virginia, about two and a half miles northwest on the Potomac River. This greatly interfered with Union ships carrying supplies.

On June 27, 1861, the gunboat Thomas Freeborn, commanded by Ward shelled the batteries. While sighting the bow gun, he was mortally wounded.

And the Story Goes On. --Old B-R

This one actually should have been posted on my Civil War Blog
http://sawtheelephant.blogspot.com