YEAH, THERE WAS A BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY IN 1864 BUT FOR FOUR LONG YEARS THERE WAS DAILY NAVAL COMBAT AROUND DAUPHIN ISLAND IN THE GULF AND IN MISSISSIPPI SOUND.
In mid-April 1864, the Federal armed tug NARCISSUS and the gunboat SEBAGO
joined COWSLIP in the Mississippi Sound. During one
six-day period, COWSLIP overhauled and captured a sloop bound from
Mobile to Biloxi with a cargo of corn and meal ; captured a sailboat off
Pascagoula manned by 5 Confederates, 3 of whom were soldiers; sought to
capture 4 mules on the beach but had to shoot them; received on board
from SEBAGO 3 Rebel soldiers and 4 civilians intercepted while attempting
to run the blockade; made fast to the Mississippi City wharf to enable the
captain to communicate with the enemy under a flag of truce; and put in
at Ship Island to send the prisoners aboard VINCENNES.
On May 2, Admiral Farragut, learning that Cowslip and
Narcissus were communicating with the Rebels and firing upon "harmless
people on the shores," expressed dismay. Their captains were advised
that "there are a great many Union people on that coast, and you should
have good reasons for firing upon those who do not fire upon you." THERE SURE WERE "UNION PEOPLE ON THAT COAST" ! TWO OF FARRAGUT'S SISTERS LIVED IN PASCAGOULA & WROTE THEIR BROTHER LETTERS COMPLAINING ABOUT HIS SHIPS SHOOTING AT PEOPLE AND MULES ON THE SHORES OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND.