The 150th Anniversary of the US Civil War will be a big event throughout the country, and I am happy to post a link to the The New Jersey Civil War 150th Anniversary Committee!Not only will there be scheduled activities, but wonderful email list provides little tidbits of information. I will share part of this great story and provide a link for anyone interested in reading the New Jersey side of the story in detail.
It may surprise many to know that actually were shots fired before the Attack on Fort Sumter. One incident took place on January 9, 1861 and involved the ship the Star of the West. The ship contained supplies and 200 troops to reinforce the garrison at Fort Sumter- and its captain was John McGowan of Elizabeth, New Jersey!
Captain McGowan tried to reach Fort Sumter in the dark, but found all the navigation lights in the harbor extinquished. He went in slowly using soundings. By dawn the Star was only a half mile from Morris Island, where South Carolina militia and forty cadets from The Citadel had assembled.
It may surprise many to know that actually were shots fired before the Attack on Fort Sumter. One incident took place on January 9, 1861 and involved the ship the Star of the West. The ship contained supplies and 200 troops to reinforce the garrison at Fort Sumter- and its captain was John McGowan of Elizabeth, New Jersey!
Captain McGowan tried to reach Fort Sumter in the dark, but found all the navigation lights in the harbor extinquished. He went in slowly using soundings. By dawn the Star was only a half mile from Morris Island, where South Carolina militia and forty cadets from The Citadel had assembled.
Word had reached Charleston earlier in the week that the Star of the West had been dispatched on its mission by President Buchanan. Buchanan had hoped to reinforce Fort Sumter enough to hold it until the inauguration of President -elect Abraham Lincoln on March 4.
The milita at Morris Island was determined that Captain McGowan would not succeed and began firing on the ship. After the first few shots, it is said that McGowan shouted, "you'll need bigger guns then that, boys." But the shots continued, and after they succeeded in bringing down one of the masts, McGowan decided to withdraw the unarmed Star of the West and set sail for the North.
January 26, 1861 edition of Harper's Weekly
The NY Times of January 14, 1861, was not impressed with Captain McGowan -
Fort Sumter and Captain McGowan.
_____________________________________________________________________
I was able to locate a more detailed account of the events in Charleston's "Post and Courier" newspaper. They will be having a series on the Civil War Anniversary Events and will make a good counterpoint to the New Jersey view points.
Stay tuned for more Civil War Anniversary Milestones. Don't forget to support the New Jersey Civil War 150th Sesquicentennial Committee.
_______________________________________________________________________
Correction from comments - Thanks!!
Susan, thanks for the post regarding Captain John McGowan of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Although the Citadel cadets did manage to strike the Star of the West -- probably twice -- no substantial damage was done to the vessel. And they did not succeed in bringing down one of her masts, as your informative post reports. As discovered by members of the New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, Captain McGowan, along with his wife and others from his family, now lies in Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside (Union County), New Jersey. One son, John McGowan Jr., joined the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, eventually retiring as an admiral in 1901. He now lies in Arlington National Cemetery. Another son, William, fought with the 19 Pennsylvania Cavalry. He is buried with his parents in Hillside. A one-page biography of Captain McGowan was recently published in "New Jersey Goes to War," which is available from the Committee: www.njcivilwar150.org
Stay tuned for more Civil War Anniversary Milestones. Don't forget to support the New Jersey Civil War 150th Sesquicentennial Committee.
_______________________________________________________________________
Correction from comments - Thanks!!
Susan, thanks for the post regarding Captain John McGowan of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Although the Citadel cadets did manage to strike the Star of the West -- probably twice -- no substantial damage was done to the vessel. And they did not succeed in bringing down one of her masts, as your informative post reports. As discovered by members of the New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, Captain McGowan, along with his wife and others from his family, now lies in Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside (Union County), New Jersey. One son, John McGowan Jr., joined the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, eventually retiring as an admiral in 1901. He now lies in Arlington National Cemetery. Another son, William, fought with the 19 Pennsylvania Cavalry. He is buried with his parents in Hillside. A one-page biography of Captain McGowan was recently published in "New Jersey Goes to War," which is available from the Committee: www.njcivilwar150.org
1 comment:
Susan, thanks for the post regarding Captain John McGowan of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Although the Citadel cadets did manage to strike the Star of the West -- probably twice -- no substantial damage was done to the vessel. And they did not succeed in bringing down one of her masts, as your informative post reports.
As discovered by members of the New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, Captain McGowan, along with his wife and others from his family, now lies in Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside (Union County), New Jersey. One son, John McGowan Jr., joined the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, eventually retiring as an admiral in 1901. He now lies in Arlington National Cemetery. Another son, William, fought with the 19 Pennsylvania Cavalry. He is buried with his parents in Hillside. A one-page biography of Captain McGowan was recently published in "New Jersey Goes to War," which is available from the Committee: www.njcivilwar150.org
Post a Comment