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Capture of the USS Morning Light

Report by Commodore H.H. Bell on January 12, 1863

Report by Commodore H.H. Bell of orders he gave to recapture or sink the USS Morning Light following her capture on January 12, 1863, by Confederal "Cotton Clads" off of Sabine Pass, Texas. This report is in Volume 19 of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion.

Report by Commodore H.H. Bell of orders  he gave to recapture or sink the USS Morning Light following her capture on January 12, 1863,  by Confederal Cotton Clads off of Sabine Pass, Texas. This report is in Volume 19 of the  Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion.

Extracts from report of Commodore Bell, U. S. Navy.

U. S. Steam Sloop Brooklyn,

Off Galveston, January 24, 1863.

The defenses of this harbor have gone on increasing from day to day, without my being able to prevent it, at the distance of 2 miles; indeed I could not see them three-fourths of the time for the haze; they may now be called formidable to anything that we might send against them.

The four gunboats which are here since the 18th draw too much water to have gone in at any time without one or more vessels of lighter draft, and good batteries. * * * Now that the buoys have been taken away, there does not appear to be the least chance of success for any uncombined naval and land attack that could be made.

The steamer Tennessee, Acting Master Childs, commanding, arrived here at 3 a. m., 23d, from Sabine Pass, and reported that the rebels there have captured the U. S. ship Morning Light. At 6:30 a. m. I sent Commander Read, in the New London, and Lieutenant-Commander McDermut, in the Cayuga, to recapture her or destroy her. They have not yet been heard from. I shall be under the necessity of keeping them there until you order it otherwise.

Nothing has yet been heard of the Kensington. I will therefore send two gunboats to the Rio Grande as soon as the Katahdin and Itasca arrive, to make proper enquiries and to show ourselves.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. H. Bell,

Commodore.

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Last updated November 5, 2008