THE EXPEDITION TO THE GULF: Trip of the Constitution to Ship Island; ARRIVAL AND LANDING OF THE TROOPS (12/17/1861)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 12/17/1861

[Homer_J_Simpson]

TABLE OF DISTANCES FROM SHIP ISLAND.

To Mobile.................................. 70 miles. To Mississippi City......................... 10 miles.
To New-Orleans........................... 65 miles. To Shieldsboro............................. 20 miles.
To S.W. Pass ............................. 95 miles. To Pascagoula............................. 20 miles.
To Fort Morgan............................ 50 miles. To Galveston.............................. 380 miles.
To Fort Pickens............................ 95 miles.

SHIP ISLAND, MISSISSIPPI SOUND,

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1861.

My last letter announced the arrival of the Constitution at Fortress Monroe, where we called for final orders on Tuesday, Nov. 20. At this place Brig.-Gen. PHELPS was placed in command of the expedition, by orders from the War Department; and after coaling, we weighed anchor and proceeded on our voyage Wednesday afternoon. At 5 o'clock P. M., having discharged Mr. DENNISON, the courteous pilot who assisted to take us inward, we took our departure from Cape Henry, whose darkened light-house stands out so fitting a monument of the benighted spirits who rule the destinies of the unhappy Old Dominion.

We passed Cape Hatteras long before daylight, and the sun of Thursday morning never, perhaps, rose upon a more tranquil sea. Not a breath of air ruffed the surface of the ocean. We found ourselves gliding swiftly along the western edge of the Gulf Stream, as unconscious of motion as if we had been steaming up the Hudson. The troops, who had hitherto stuck tenaciously to their warm overcoats, now threw them aside, and the decks were alive with blue jackets instead of the long grey coats. The ladies promenaded the guards as steadily as if they had been walking in their own parlors, sea-sickness was forgotten, and good digestion once more waited on appetite.

Friday we passed Charleston, and Saturday Port Royal and Savannah, without seeing a single sail until late on Saturday,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4021684/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Scene of Operations in the Gulf-Ship Island, and the Approaches to New-Orleans and Mobile – 2
The Expedition to the Gulf: Trip of the Constitution to Ship Island – 3-6
News from Washington: How the Late News from Europe is Regarded – 6-8
The Fight in Western Virginia: A Gallant Affair – 8
News from the Rebel States: The Arrest of Parson Brownlow at Knoxville on a Charge of Treason – 8
Editorial: Our Relations with England-The Affair of the Trent – 8-9
Editorial: The Expedition to Ship Island – 9-10
Editorial: Report of the Sanitary Commission – 10

[Robert A Cook PE]

We do not often read about the USS Constitution after her War of 1812 battles.

[M Kehoe]

Hi.

“We do not often read about the USS Constitution after her War of 1812 battles.”

True, and the US Constitution is still an active commissioned warship.

5.56mm