USA > Rhode Island > Memoirs of Rhode Island officers who were engaged in the service of their country during the great rebellion of the South. Illustrated with thirty-four portraits > Part 26
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Captain Ives entered with zeal upon the work assigned to him. On the 2d of December, 1861, he proceeded to Philadelphia to superintend the preparation of the United States steamer Picket, of which he was to take command. This was a propeller of three hundred and thirty tons, equal or superior to any of the army vessels, and designed by General Burnside for his flag-ship. Her length on deck was one hundred and seventy-five feet, breadth of beam twenty-nine feet. Her armament consisted of two twelve- pound Wiard steel rifle guns, one twelve-pound howitzer, and one twelve- pound mountain howitzer; which, together with her light draft, rendered her a formidable attacking boat in coast and river service. When Captain Ives was ordered to discharge the crew of the Hope, they followed him to his new command, though the pay was less per month than in the revenue service, and the work more severe. He was gratified with their assurance that "they wanted to go with him." The labor in getting the Picket ready for sea was considerable, but Captain Ives needed no urging from the general, and early in December, she was ordered to New York, whence the expedition was to sail.
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On the 17th, Captain Ives received orders to proceed at once to Annapolis, and report to General Foster, the commander of the post. On his way, he passed most of the steamers of the army fleet, and arrived off the mouth of the Potomac on the 19th of December. On the 22d, he received General Burnside on board, and was thenceforth constantly associated with him in the labors of the expedition. The vessels gradually assembled at Annapolis, where many more days of hard work were spent in making ready before their departure for Fortress Monroe, where they were to be joined by a large body of troops. On Saturday, January 11th, 1862, their destination first became apparent, through their orders. Roanoke Island was to be taken as a base for further operations. Captain Ives left Fortress Monroe at midnight, and, on the 13th, General Burnside, in the Picket, reached Hatteras Inlet simultaneously with Admiral Goldsborough. He lay outside all night. In the morning he crossed the bar with considerable difficulty and anchored within the inlet, being the first of the army fleet which came in. A view of the low, narrow sandspits of this desolate region, covered by the tide at high water, and sug- gestive of perils on every hand, was, of itself, sufficient to inspire doubts and gloomy forebodings, even without the experience of " Hatteras weather" which followed.
To approach Roanoke Island, it was necessary to enter the sound through a channel about two miles in length, called the swash. This is so narrow, that in some places one of its banks can be commanded by a musket shot from the other. The depth of water is variable and uncertain. The inlet is obstructed at the entrance of the sound by a sand-bar, which serves as a barrier against the sea, whence its name, the bulkhead. It was expected that this channel would be guarded by the naval vessels, and that, the passage being clear, the army transports would move up under their protection. This expectation was not fulfilled. New and unforeseen obstacles appeared. The sailing qualities of some of the army vessels were but indifferent. Some were of too great burden. All were heavily laden with troops and stores. It was necessary to lighten them, in some instances to the taking out of their guns, and, even with this relief, to wait for the next spring tides before they could be carried through the swash. Not all of those in command of the army vessels were equal to the responsibility which they had assumed. And it was scarcely to be expected that men who had made it the endeavor of their lives to avoid Cape Hatteras, would display the highest self-possession while anchored insecurely on its sands. While the narrow harbor, which is but the entrance
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to the inlet and open to the sea, was crowded with vessels almost in contact, then came the most hazardous moment of the expedition. The coast was swept by one of those fearful gales which have given to Hatteras a dismal celebrity in the songs of mariners, not inferior to that which it once derived from the neighborhood of the buccaniers. More than one vessel was lost in sight of its companions. The nautical skill available for the transports seemed unequal to the emergency, and a feeling of uncertainty as to the result began to pervade the fleet.
In this crisis of the expedition it was saved by the unresting vigilance and activity of General Burnside and Captain Ives. Ile now proved the value of that nautical knowledge which had been the amusement of his youth. The operation of carrying the army vessels over the bulkhead and into the safe anchorage of the sound went on under his direction. It was in the neighborhood of the enemy, and suffered no intermission by day or night. The tide ran through the inlet with exceeding swiftness, often encountering winds of great violence in the opposite direction, so that it was at times almost impossible to eross the harbor. The eddies rendered the anchorage insecure and drove the transports into frequent collision. After the labors of the day, Captain Ives was often aroused at midnight to give orders, amid the confusion of vessels crashing against each other. He made himself familiar with the shallow and crooked channel, and, with untiring determination, in most unfavorable weather, conducted the work to a successful issue. It was at last accomplished, with incredible effort and in presence of the greatest discouragement. Competent military observers bore ample testimony to the " bravery, skill and imperturbable coolness with which Captain Ives did his own work, and other men's too." "At this perilous time the Picket did twice the work of any other vessel. Though inferior in size and power to some of her companions, she contributed in an eminent degree to the saving of the army fleet, and was so handled as to receive no injury." The value of Captain Ives's services was acknowledged by all, and by none more warmly than by General Burnside.
While this was going on, the people, not yet enlightened by the experi- ence of three years of war, became impatient of the delay; and, as the telegraph brought no intelligence, they passed speedily to doubts and fears. Their feeling became known in the expedition. Captain Ives, who was sing- ularly indifferent to any publication of his own labors, contented himself with the following brief explanation of the obstacles overcome at Hatteras.
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in a private letter dated 29th January, 1862: " If any one could be made to understand the difficulties we have had to encounter, he would not be impatient at our seemingly long delay. Hatteras is the Cape Horn of the northern coast, and almost as perilous. There is danger of a vessel's ground- ing, and if she once touches bottom the chances are that she never comes off again. We have a large fleet of poor vessels, ill-sheltered in a small and crowded harbor. It is capable of holding twelve comfortably, and sixty are here. Vessels that two weeks ago we conceived it impossible to get over the bulkhead, are now safely over and preparing to start."
It was not in the power of Captain Ives, to make any rapid progress until the 22d of January. By the beginning of February, through the cease- less exertions of the army fleet, enough of the national vessels were taken through the swash and across the bulkhead, after which, the gun-boats spent two days in practice with rifled cannon. By daylight in the morning of the 5th of February, the Picket, General Burnside's flag-ship, was hurrying through the fleet with orders. They moved up the sound, and anchored ten miles below Roanoke Island. On the next day they proceeded five miles further. On Friday, the weather being clear, some eighteen navy boats got under way, followed by the Picket leading five gun-boats of the army fleet. The water off the shore of Roanoke is very shallow. Caution is required in approaching it, and much was left to the discretion of individual commanders in taking such positions that their guns should tell effectually. They came up in line until within two miles of the first rebel battery on the shore. The position was naturally strong, and was well fortified and supplied with troops and heavy guns, which were used with great determination. Eight rebel gun-boats were drawn up in line behind rows of piles and sunken vessels, under the protection of the battery, and obstructed the advance. Here, at ten minutes before twelve o'clock, the attack began. The firing was rapid on both sides, between the national fleet and the rebel batteries and gun-boats. At one o'clock, a shell from the Picket burst among the corn husks of the barracks and set fire to the quarters of the garrison. Dense clouds of smoke seemed to envelope the entire work. Its fire slackened until the flames were partially subdued, when it recommenced. The gun-boats replied with increased vigor. The flames gained upon the garrison, and, after three hours, the shower of shot and shell from the batteries was reduced to the occasional discharge of a single gun. Half an hour later, the Picket with other gun-boats worked in much nearer to the shore. From her light draft, the Picket was able to
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approach more closely than some of her companions. Gaining a shorter range, her shot and shell struck with great precision. At last, the battery answered with its single gun but once in twenty minutes; then once in half an hour. On the next day it was wholly silent. During the bombardment, the rebel gun-boats attacked and were defeated, their flag-ship was driven ashore, and seven of its companions sunk or destroyed.
While the gunboats were thus employed, the transports moved up to the place appointed for landing the troops. General Burnside (who had transferred his flag to another vessel) made a circuit of the fleet, and, coming alongside, ordered the Picket, and other army gun-boats, to cover the debarka- tion, a mile and a half below the fort. They accordingly shelled the woods which sheltered the enemy, causing him to retreat and to abandon his inten- tion to contest the landing. This was effected the same afternoon, the gun- boats during the remainder of the day rendering assistance to the troops. The contest for the possession of the island continued until Saturday after- noon. During its progress, Captain Ives was in active cooperation with the army until its work was done.
On the day after the battle, the Picket, having on board Colonel Rush C. Hawkins and two companies of zouaves, made a reconnoissance to Nag's Head, on the opposite shore of the sound. They hoped to capture General Wise, with the remainder of his "legion," but found that he had fled during the night, after needlessly firing all the dwellings in the neighborhood.
After the capture of Roanoke, Captain Ives resumed his former labors. He was now in command of ten vessels, four of which were steamers. All those which were needed for further operations were taken through the swash into the sound. The work was accomplished amid severe gales, and was laborious and exhausting. It was completed by the 18th of February, and was the last of the preparations for excluding the enemy from the waters of North Carolina. Soon afterwards, orders were given for a rendezvous at Hatteras Inlet. The army welcomed the intelligence of the onward progress of the expedition. On the morning of the 12th of March, the whole force left Hatteras Inlet, and the same night anchored eighteen miles from New- bern. While passing through Pamlico Sound, the Picket captured two vessels loaded with grain. Early the next day, the troops were landed on the shore of the Neuse, and marched toward the city along the river side. The fleet kept the middle of the stream, which gradually narrows to less than two miles in width. Its thickly wooded banks being well fitted to shelter an 36
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enemy, the Picket, with the other army vessels, preceded the column, and shelled the road in advance. The march upon Newbern was covered by the gunboats, which passed safely through the barricades of iron-pointed spiles and sunken vessels. On the 14th of March, the Picket actively participated in the obstinately contested battle, which ended in the surrender of the city after a signal vietory of the army and navy of the United States. On the 20th of March, the Picket accompanied General Parke on his way to Fort Macon, and assisted in covering the landing of his troops. When this was effected, the Picket returned to Newbern, and soon afterwards was sent with despatches from General Burnside, containing the news of the bombardment and capitulation. She had now been under steam and in constant employ- ment since December 16th, 1861, and, in the judgment of those best able to appreciate her work, had rendered eminent service to the army of the United States.
During the remainder of Captain Ives's service in North Carolina, he was stationed in Roanoke river, the Picket acting as guard boat, and taking part in detached expeditions. He accompanied General Foster, with about one thousand men, in an armed reconnoissance to Columbia, on the Seupper- nong river. It was entirely successful, and the place was surrendered after a slight resistance. One of the most important operations in which he partici- pated was the effectual closing of the Dismal Swamp Canal. One of the chief outlets from Norfolk to the sea thus became useless to the navy of the rebellion. In services of this kind the time passed until the 19th of April. The army was then, for the first time, beyond the protection of the gun- boats, and the work of the army fleet seemed well nigh accomplished. On the 3d of May, Captain Ives received orders to proceed to Pamlico Sound, to relieve Colonel Howard, who had been stationed there since the main body of the army left the island for Newbern; and soon after, to report to Colonel Hawkins, the commander of the garrison at Roanoke. As the naval work of the expedition was done, Captain Ives desired a position of more active service. Ile continued in command of the Picket until the 12th of May, when, after a consultation with General Burnside, he was relieved from further duty, On the 17th, the general returned the following reply to his letter of resignation :
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" DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, NEWBERN, May 17, 1862.
"Captain Thomas P. Ices, Assistant Adjutant General, Captain of Gun-boat Picket :
" CAPTAIN :- Your services in this department have been so conspicuous that I cannot accept your resignation without expressing to you my sincere thanks for your kind cooperation and valuable assistance during your service in this expedition. I sincerely regret parting with you, and shall always remember with pleasure your gallantry, devotion to duty, and your high social qualities. All the work for armed vessels in these sounds having been finished, no one can doubt the wisdom of your course in deciding to change your field of action in the Union cause.
" Wishing you all success in your new field of labor,
" I remain, Captain, very truly yours, " A. E. BURNSIDE,
"Major-General Commanding Department North Carolina."
In the arduous labors which won for General Burnside his honorable place in American history, he received no more conscientious or efficient aid than that of Captain Ives, who esteemed it sufficient reward that this, like his other services, was accepted as a free-will offering to union, law and freedom. He not only desired no compensation, but was a generous contributor to the charities created by the war.
The services of Captain Ives in the waters of North Carolina attracted the attention of the government. When, after an interval not longer than his impaired health required, he made application for service, it was answered by an appointment as acting master in the navy of the United States. His commission bore date September 3d, 1862. He was immediately appointed to the command of the United States steamer Stepping Stones, and, soon after, to that of the Yankee. This was a gun-boat of three hundred and fifty tons, attached to the second division of the Potomac flotilla. He readily accepted this duty, feeling no desire for the prize money, which was the chief attraction of the blockade. The river service, while less conspicuous, was the more peril- ous. In an unfavorable climate, it exposed its officers to the rifle-practice of enemies in the woods.
The Potomac flotilla was organized at the commencement of the war, to prevent communications between the Maryland and Virginia shores, and for occasional cooperation with the North Atlantic blockading squadron, and with
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the army of the Potomac. Its officers were not only to keep guard and send boats to arrest smuggling and military correspondence, but to watch the proceedings of the enemy ; to ascertain if he were building batteries, and to destroy thoroughly those which were taken or abandoned. The river could not be kept open by the army alone, and for a long period it was preserved as a national highway by the unaided efforts of the flotilla. It was to be in constant readiness to make reconnoissances, and to join in expeditions. Minute and unceasing care was requisite in guarding against surprises. Sailor piekets, and every precaution known to naval service, were constantly employed. When parties of the enemy's cavalry came down to reconnoitre, they were to be dis- persed. Extreme vigilance was exacted from the commanders, for the enemy was ever on the alert, seizing his opportunity to trade in articles of vital importance, and to capture and destroy our vessels. He succeeded too well on one well remembered occasion, when the Reliance and Satellite were burned in the Rappahannock. In the heroic discharge of these duties, the first commander of the flotilla lost his life. But while the public attention was fixed upon the movements of vast armies, such services, whatever their value or their peril, afforded little opportunity for distinction, and only occa- sional materials for a bulletin.
On the 12th of September, 1862, Mr. Ives took his station at Aquia Creek. The ordinary duty of the flotilla was the arresting of contraband trade, from Alexandria to the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. It was also necessary to guard the Rappahannock. The craft engaged in this treasona- ble intercourse were expressly fitted to elude detection. Those engaged in navigating them were the most reckless and desperate of their class. On no station was the duty more laborious, while, with the utmost vigilance, it was impossible entirely to suppress illicit traffic. On so long a line of communi- cations opportunities were sometimes found, and sympathizing associates were ever ready to prevent detection and capture. With all these obstacles, large numbers of vessels were seized while stealing across the bay. The haunts of the smugglers were broken up and their boats destroyed. (See report of Secretary of Navy.)
But the Potomac flotilla soon became a partaker in more stirring scenes. Mr. Ives's command in it was contemporaneous with the campaigns of Burn- side and of Hooker in northern Virginia ; when nearly the whole population was, in its several ways, engaged in thwarting the efforts of the soldiers of the Union. The country was swarming with enemies, who obstructed the rivers
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and hindered military communications. Batteries and other annoyances, prepared by detached parties from the southern army, were often suddenly disclosed, and were to be overcome as they appeared ; sometimes by single vessels of the flotilla, and sometimes by organized expeditions having the support of troops.
In all these different services, Mr. Ives was constantly employed. Early in December, 1862, there was a sharp encounter between the Yankee and a rebel battery supported by rifle-pits; one of the attempts of the enemy to interrupt the communications of the army. Failing in its purpose, the bat- tery was evacuated and afterwards destroyed, only to be succeeded by many others, against which the same vigilance was constantly maintained. During the winter, reconnoissances in aid of the operations of the army were con- stantly required. In February, at the request of General Hooker, a thorough examination of the Rappahannock was made, both to ascertain its soundings and to destroy the vessels of the enemy. Mr. Ives was an active participator in this work, which was of considerable duration.
A rebel conscription had been ordered in Virginia, and was to have been enforced in the counties between the Potomac and the Rappahannock, between the 12th and the 17th of February. The scheme was defeated in this region by the ceaseless activity of the flotilla. Important mails for Richmond were intercepted, and services of the highest value were constantly and silently performed.
During this critical period of the war, he suffered no relaxation to interrupt his duties, and lived on board his vessel, unless ordered to service elsewhere. His marked efficiency in all departments of his profession, brought occasional relief. Although his command in the navy was but temporary, he had conscientiously mastered the science of the profession, that in no event the country should receive injury through his want of skill. His nautical attain- ments were so highly regarded by his superior officers that, in February, 1863, he was appointed a member of a board of examiners of masters' mates for pro- motion to the grade of ensign. In such employment the winter wore away. Through the constant vigilance of the flotilla, the Rappahannock was kept open from Port Royal to its mouth, and all attempts to close the Potomac effectually foiled.
The crisis of Hooker's campaign was now hastening on, and, in every part of Virginia, the greatest activity was manifested by both combatants. The Nansemond river, always one of the principal avenues of communication
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with the south, gained additional importance, now that the situation of Gen- eral Foster, in North Carolina, was regarded as critical; and the moment had arrived when, if ever, the rebel iron-clads must find access to the sea. Fully aware of its urgency, the usurpers at Richmond spared no effort to erect forts on the Nansemond, and to obstruct the southern communications from Fortress Monroe. A formidable force of artillery and sharpshooters was detached to support the rebel batteries, and to intercept reinforcements for the army in North Carolina. The government could permit no delay in reopening the river. A military and naval expedition was immediately prepared. Mr. Ives was ordered to despatch the Yankee, without delay, to Newport News, and to report immediately to Admiral Lee, commanding the North Atlantic blockading squadron. He arrived on the 16th of April, and was fortliwith ordered to duty in the Nansemond. He reached his station the same evening, and the military and naval forces at once prepared for clearing the river of the batteries which threatened so great injury to the army of the Union.
On the first day, the enemy opened fire with artillery and riflemen upon the gunboats and transports. After a vigorous bombardment from the flotilla. continued nearly five hours, during which they lost several officers and seamen, the enemy's chief work was silenced. On receiving further reinforcements from the flotilla, the national forces prevented the enemy's crossing the Nan- semond for the relief of his detached forts. A heavy firing from the flotilla, continued during twenty-four hours, defeated all attempts to erect new ones. On the 20th of April, a fort supported by rifle-pits, which was the chief obstruction of the river, suddenly opened on the gun-boats. Regiments from New York and Connecticut crossed the Nansemond two miles below Suffolk, in boats of the flotilla. They landed under fire of the enemy, to which the flotilla made a vigorous and effective response. The rebel intrenchments were carried by the bayonet, but not without loss to the United States. Five guns and two hundred prisoners were taken. The works were evacuated and blown up. The enemy retreated from the Peninsula, abandoning their purpose to recapture Norfolk, or to hold the Nansemond, of which they never sought to regain possession. Six days were spent in constant opera- tions and hard fighting. The chief burden was borne by the flotilla, which received honorable mention from the admiral in command.
The Nansemond having been cleared of obstructions, Mr. Ives returned to the Potomac and resumed his ordinary duties.
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He was ordered to the Rappahannock on the 1st of May, to cooperate with General Hooker. On the 9th, he was again at Aquia Creek, actively engaged in assisting the communications of the army of the Potomac. Hav- ing borne his full share of the labors of those eventful days, he received the only recognition of its value which he desired. In a letter of May 26th, 1863, Mr. Welles, Secretary of the Navy, thus informs him that his services were appreciated : " Having been officially mentioned for efficient and gal- lant conduct, you are hereby promoted to the grade of acting volunteer lieutenant in the navy of the United States." Once more before the close of May, a gun-boat expedition ascended the Rappahannock. Landing troops on its southern bank, the town of Tappahannock was seized, with large quantities of military stores. A large number of slaves exhibited the liveliest joy at their emancipation ; an incident which Lieutenant Ives regarded as by no means the least grateful in his public service.
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