Farragut blockade of Mississippi Sound in 1864

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.