[Heyworth]

What else were they to do? Run cover with the Powhatan and use the landing craft to aid Sumter?

You apparently miss the point, and the ships that we're talking about. It's the merchant ships that had arrived at Charleston during that night which were lying off the bar "awaiting the results of the bombardment," including the Nashville, the ship that had been challenged by the Harriet Lane earlier. Pea would have you believe that these ships sitting outside the bar while the harbor is under bombardment is evidence of the Union blockade, and not the simple result of civilian ship captains not wanting to sail into a firestorm.

[PeaRidge]

You have received ample documentation of the arrival of the Harriet Lane, her firing on the Nashville on the late evening of the 11th, the Nashville's stand off the bar, the arrival of other merchant ships that stood off the bar, and the confiscation of the ice schooner to be used in a military action.

Here for your edification:

Blockade: 1: a war measure that isolates some area of importance to the enemy [syn: encirclement] 2: prevents access or progress v 1: hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of [syn: obstruct, block, hinder, stymie, stymy, embarrass] 2: render unsuitable for passage.

"Pea would have you believe that these ships sitting outside the bar while the harbor is under bombardment is evidence of the Union blockade, and not the simple result of civilian ship captains not wanting to sail into a firestorm."

There was no firestorm that blocked the Nashville's entrance, except for the gun Captain Faunce of the Harriet Lane ordered fired at her. The choices made by the others you do not have information to understand.

That is with the exception of the ice schooner whose progress was impaired by its seizure.

You know all this based on several sources, including the O. R. and the writings of the people who were there.

Remember, they were there, and you weren't.