Identifier: oldnavaldayssket00meis (find matches)
Title: Old naval days; sketches from the life of Rear Admiral William Radford, U. S. N.
Year: 1920 (1920s)
Authors: Meissner, Sophie Radford de
Subjects: Radford, William, 1809-1890 United States -- History, Naval
Publisher: New York : H. Holt and company
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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mes River Flotilla, etc. In answer to the latter, Commodore Radford received a letterfrom Admiral Porter saying in part: I received your communication notifying me that you werein charge up the James. I only wish you had been there sooner,and then we would not have had that disgraceful stampede. Ido not think the rebels will attempt anything more; they areclosed up for this season, and if, as General Grant says, he cantake Richmond when he pleases, ... he may, I hope, soonhave the rams on our side. I do not understand the ram fever.I never had it. . . . York River is in your Divison; will youinquire how matters are going on there. ... I hope you willtry an extensive torpedo system near the obstructions, . . . You will please send me frequent reports of matters, and doall that you may think necessary to make matters secure in theJames. If the vessels want men, apply directly to the Bureau ofEquipment and Recruiting. Respectfully, David D. Porter. Com. Wm. Radford, Comdg in James River.
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^ THE NEW IRONSIDES 295 Before the fleet left Hampton Roads, writes Admiral Porter, every care was taken that the James River, below HowlettsBattery, should be kept so perfectly guarded by a naval forcethat there could be no possible chance left for the Confederateironclads to make an attack on the vessels below the obstructionssunk in the river, which consisted of several large schoonersloaded with stones, sunk in the middle of the stream, and heavybooms and chains extending from the sunken vessels to eithershore and secured to anchors planted in the bank. These obstructions were immediately under the fire of theOnondaga, a double-turreted Monitor, and also of a battery onshore belonging to the Army. A pontoon bridge was in placebelow the vessels guarding the obstructions, to enable the Army ofthe James to retreat across the river under cover of the gunboats,in case it was attacked by a superior force. There could be no pos-sibility of the enemys fleet getting past the obst

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