OUR IRON-CLADS: The Great Test of the Monitors at Fort McAllister; HOW THE NASHVILLE WAS DESTROYED (3/16/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 3/16/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

STEAMER DELAWARE, IN THE GREAT OGERCHEE RIVER, BELOW FORT MCALLISTER, Ga., Tuesday night, March 3, 1863.

The tidings of the destruction of the pirateship Nashville in the Ogeechee River, near Fort McAllister, by the iron-clad Montauk, reached us at Port Royal on Sunday morning -- a dispatchboat having been sent up to Admiral DUPONT by Capt. WORDEN. This inspiriting bit of intelligence gave a decided fillip to the preparations which had been going on for some days to renew, on a more formidable scale, the already twice-tried task of reducing the rebel work on the Ogeechee.

It was wisely judged that, as the Ogeechee presents, on a smaller scale, precisely the same style of defences as those to be encountered whether at Charleston or Savannah -- precisely the same kind of obstacles our iron-clads will have to meet when they come to measure their strength against those places -- it would be an excellent experiment to let our sea-dogs try their mettle on. The Ogeechee was known to have its sand batteries, its piles and its torpedoes, as well as Charleston Harbor; and the experience we have had against this system of defences, and, indeed, our experience as to the action of the iron-clads any how, was yet too green to throw away the excellent lesson which might here be learnt -- it was hoped not at too great a cost. The country anxiously looks forward to the time when our new engines of warfare are to be put to their crucial test against the original home of the secession treason, and I know well how thoroughly Admiral DUPONT feels the necessity of not risking the great result for the lack of any light or practice that can possibly be obtained.

[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/4138284/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Our Iron-Clads: The Great Test of the Monitors at Fort McAllister – 2-3
The Shenandoah Valley: The Rebels Said to be in Force Between New-Market and Staunton – 3
Important from the Mississippi: Movement of Troops Against Vicksburgh – 3-4
Our Mississippi Correspondence: Progress of the Lake Providence Canal – 4
Destruction of the Indianola: An Official Confirmation from Admiral Porter – 4-5
Important from Tennessee: Twelve Thousand Rebels Threatening Fort Donelson – 5
News from Kentucky: Apprehensions of Another Rebel Invasion – 5
News from Washington: Rumors of a Rebel Raid on Hooker’s Right – 5-6
The Conduct of the War: Letter from Gen. Halleck to Gen. Rosecrans on the Treatment of Disloyal Persons Within our Lines – 6
Editorial: The Copperheads and Public Opinion – 6-7
A Deserved Promotion – 7
The Turreted Monster Again – 7-8
Wrought Iron Cannon – 8
Dissensions Among the Officers in South Carolina – 8
Editorial: Mr. Greeley’s Position – 8
Arrival of a Prize Steamer – 8
Sale of Arms, &c., Stopped – 8
Collision at Sea – 8