USS Commodore Barney and the James River Expedition

USS Commodore Barney - Library of Congress

On August 5th, 1863, USS Commodore Barney was part of a small squadron consisting of the Barney, the Passaic-class Monitor USS Sangamon, and a tug which conducted a reconnaissance up the James River. At Trent's Reach, the water became too shallow for the monitor and the Commodore Barney proceeded further up the river until near Cox's Farm when a torpedo (or two) exploded under the bow - washing a number men overboard (report in the Official Records says 20, newspaper account 30) - all but two of whom were recovered. Though damaged, the ship did not sink. Confederate Brigadier General Henry Wise stated that the torpedoes had been detonated by a 'youth of eighteen years" who had, in Wise's estimation, done so prematurely and that had "a competent person been at the batteries, the explosions would have destroyed one or more of the enemy's boats."

Confederate commanders dispatched a detachment of eight companies of the 26th Virginia Infantry under the command of Lieutenant Colonel J. Calvin Councill and two sections of artillery under the command of Major A.W. Stark to ambush the US Navy gunboats as they withdrew down river. The artillery seems to have been a mix of Blakely Rifles of an unreported type and 12-Pounder smoothbores - presumably Napoleons.

The next day as the squadron was heading down the James, the ships were engaged at Deep Bottom by the force of Confederate infantry and field artillery. The Confederates concentrated their fire on the wooden USS Commodore Barney and the ship was disabled by a shot through her boilers. Lt. Col. Councill reported that the gunners aboard the ships "replied immediately" but were soon driven from their guns by small arms fire from the shore. Taking the Barney under tow, USS Sangamon proceeded down the James. The Confederates moved their forces to a point near Turkey Island where they again took the retreating US Navy squadron under fire.

USS Commodore Barney's commanding officer, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Samuel Huse, stated that the ship was hit about 30 times by artillery and that the entire ship was "badly perforated by bullets." However, the one hole below the waterline was able to be plugged and the pumps were able to keep up with the water. Remarkably, the only casualties sustained aboard USS Commodore Barney were the two men lost overboard and not recovered during the initial torpedo explosions and another man wounded by the explosion.

USS Sangamon, by contrast, was hit a single time on the port bow, the field piece leaving but a "slight indentation" on the ship's armor. It seems that the Confederates didn't bother directing fire on the heavily armored ship.

In the engagement, USS Commodore Barney expended eight rounds of 9-inch shell, twenty rounds of 9-inch cannister, and five rounds of 100-Pounder shell.

Confederate reports indicate that at least one of the Blakely's was incapacitated when a shot could not be rammed all the way home. General Wise reported that had heavier artillery been available, the destruction of one or more of the US Navy vessels may have been possible.

USS Commodore Barney was a sidewheel ferry built as the SS Ethan Allen in New York City in 1859. In 1861, she was one of several ferryboats purchased and taken into US Navy service. With strong decks built to carry loaded wagons, the ferries were able to carry a heavy armament fore and aft. The photo shows two 9-inch Dahlgrens and a 100-Pounder Parrott aft and a 9-inch Dahlgren forward. However, as the engagement indicates, the gunners were given little protection by the low bulwarks around the cannons.

See:

"Official Records - Navies", Ser. 1. Vol. 9. Pp. 146-148

"Official Records" Ser. 1. Vol. 29. Pt. 1. Pp. 23-27.

Detail of previous photo showing two 9-Inch Dahlgrens and a 100-Pounder Parrott

An illustration from "Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper" depicting the explosion of the mine - via Wikimedia

Officers of USS Commodore Barney with a 100-Pounder Parrott - Library of Congress

USS Commodore Barney aground - Library of Congress Photo