October 22, 1864 In answer to the objections of Major General Whiting and Governor Vance of North Carolina (September 1864), Secretary Mallory wrote to President Davis defending the use of C.S.S. Tallahassee and Chickamauga as commerce cruisers rather than holding them for the defense of Wilmington: Though the Tallahassee captured thirty-one vessels her service is not limited to the value of these ships and cargoes and the number of prisoners; but it must be estimated in connection with other results the consequent insecurity of the United States coastwise commerce, the detention and delay of vessels in port, and the augmentation of the rates of marine insurance, by which millions were added to the expenses of commerce and navigation, the compulsory withdrawal of a portion of the blockading force from Wilmington in pursuit of her. A cruise by the Chickamauga and Tallahassee against northern coasts and commerce would at once withdraw ii fleet of fast steamers from the blockading force off Wilmington in pursuit of them, and this result alone would render such a cruise expedient. Photo Credit: National Park Service and Naval History & Heritage Command National Museum of American History American Civil War American Civil War Story Civil War Sesquicentennial network CivilWarTalk Civil War Trust Civil War Discovery Trail Civil War Kids
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:00:01 +0000