Tag Archives: CSS Alabama

A death on Kearsarge Avenue

Posted on October 11, 2023 by SUMPTER

For two years the CSS Alabama wreaked havoc with Union shipping. That stopped on June 19, 1864 when the USS Kearsarge sunk the rebel commerce raider off the coast of France. John Winslow, the Kearsarge’s commander, died at his home … Continue reading →

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still in veto mode

Posted on December 4, 2017 by SUMPTER

In late November 1867 the 40th United States Congress reconvened after about a four months’ absence. In his Third Annual Message, which he sent over to the Capitol on December 3rd, the president didn’t exactly welcome Congress back to town. … Continue reading →

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sunk in the channel

Posted on June 19, 2014 by SUMPTER

On July 4, 1864 the Richmond Daily Dispatch published an editorial ridiculing the United States Navy: The United States Navy. The Navy of the United States has had an inglorious part to play in this war. It was once the … Continue reading →

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guano gone

Posted on April 25, 2014 by SUMPTER

The CSS Alabama is still at work disrupting commerce on the high seas. Here’s how Raphael Semmes, the ship’s commander, remembered the pursuit and capture of a boat full of fertilizer 150 years ago this week. From Memoirs of Service … Continue reading →

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North by Key West

Posted on February 25, 2013 by SUMPTER

I missed this as I was combing through the Seneca County, New York newspaper clippings from 1863: We are rejoiced to learn of the safety of our young friend John Arnett, who was known to have been on board the … Continue reading →

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Ahoy, Y’all!

Posted on February 2, 2013 by SUMPTER

Confederate Navy hasn’t begun to fight. A Southern editorial from 150 years ago today thinks the Confederate government should wake up to the potential of a bigger Confederate navy. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 2, 1863: The Confederate Navy. … Continue reading →

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High and Dry in Jamaica

Posted on January 11, 2013 by SUMPTER

1863 has been quite a year so far for John Arnett, a ship’s mate in the Union navy from Seneca Falls, New York. On New Year’s Day his ship, the Westfield, was blown up to prevent capture by the Confederates … Continue reading →

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Putting Mouth Where Money Is

Posted on January 10, 2013 by SUMPTER

According to Wikipedia The three major tasks of the Confederate Navy during the whole of its existence were the protection of Southern harbors and coastlines from outside invasion, making the war costly for the United States by attacking U.S. merchant … Continue reading →

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Purdy Promoted

Posted on November 29, 2012 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in November 1862: Promoted. William B. Purdy, eldest son of A.S. Purdy, of this village, who enlisted in the Navy, as a marine, from the city of Hartford, Conn., where he has been … Continue reading →

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Pursuing coy maidens

Posted on September 13, 2012 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this month the CSS Alabama, commissioned on August 24, 1862 as a commerce raider and commanded by Raphael Semmes, began its career by capturing Yankee whaling ships around the Azores. The captured ships were burned after securing … Continue reading →

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