William B. Cushing and the Destruction of the Schooner Alexander Cooper

US Navy Lieutenant William B. Cushing and the Destruction of the Schooner Alexander Cooper: On August 23rd, 1863 Cushing sent a small party ashore that carried a boat through a "dense thicket" across a barrier island (Topsail Island) in order to attack down a sound from and unexpected direction. Outnumbered, his ship’s party succeeded in destroying a blockade running schooner and a salt works. Cushing, who would achieve national fame in 1864 by destroying CSS Albemarle, had been expelled from the Naval Academy only weeks before graduation in 1861. He had failed a Spanish exam and the Commandant didn't think him likely to become an efficient or subordinate officer. Given an appointment as an Acting Masters Mate by Gideon Wells when the Navy suddenly needed officers when the war began, Cushing would prove to be one of the most daring and capable young officers in the Navy.

His exploits, at least to me, remind me of those of heroes of naval fiction. Cushing, however was real.

Photo: Lt. William B. Cushing in 1864. Naval History and Heritage Command Photo: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-51000/NH-51749.html

For an account of Cushing’s expulsion from the Naval Academy, see “A Talent for Buffoonery” by Jamie Malanowski in USNI’s Naval History. https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2014/december/talent-buffoonery

U. S. S. SHOKOKON,

Off Wilmington, N. C., August 25, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to report that we have destroyed the blockade running schooner Alexander Cooper under the following circumstances:

On the 12th I made a reconnaissance with boats in New Topsail Inlet and was driven out by the fire of four pieces of rebel artillery stationed opposite the mouth, but not before I had discovered a schooner at a wharf some 6 miles up the sound. This schooner I determined to destroy, and as it was so well guarded I concluded to use strategy. On the evening of the 22d the Shokokon anchored close into the sea beach about 5 miles from the inlet and I sent ashore two boats' crews, who shouldered the dingey and carried it across the neck of land that divides the sea from the sound. This was about half a mile in width and covered with a dense thicket. The crossing placed my men some miles in the rear of the artillery force guarding the entrance. The dingey being launched on the inside waters, 6 men, under my executive officer, Acting Ensign Jos. S. Cony, started with orders to destroy or capture anything that could be of use to the enemy. Now, it seems that a 12-pounder howitzer was stationed at the point for which we were aiming, and the smokestack of my steamer having been seen over the trees, the commandant of the post, Captain Adams, had come down from the main camp to insure a bright lookout.

While the rebels at the schooner's mastheads were straining their eyes in looking to the southward, my boat was approaching in the other direction, and the men succeeded in landing about 50 yards from the

wharf, without being discovered. The master at arms, Robert Clifford, crept into the rebel camp and counted the men, and having returned to his shipmates, a charge was ordered, and our 7 men bore down on them with a shout. In a moment the enemy, who outnumbered us 3 to 1, were routed, leaving in Mr. Cony's possession 10 prisoners, including Captain Adams and Lieutenant Latham, one 12 pounder army howitzer, 18 horses, 1 schooner, and some extensive salt works.

Mr. Cony then threw out two pickets, detailed two men to guard the prisoners, and with the remaining fired the vessel and salt works; these were thoroughly consumed.

The object of the expedition being accomplished, my men returned to this vessel without loss, bringing with them 3 of the prisoners, all that the boat would contain.

The rebel officers and privates were dressed alike, and Mr. Cony was at a loss to know what three to retain. He settled the matter, however, by picking out the three best-looking ones, who all turned out to be privates. So the officers owed their safety to their lack of physique, a new feature in military strategy.

While this was going on at the mainland, my pickets on the beach side, under Acting Master's Mate Proudfit, engaged and repulsed the rebel picket force in that quarter without loss on our side. The manner in which my orders were carried out in highly creditable to Mr. Cony, who is, I beg leave to state, a good officer, seaman, artillerist, and navigator. The names of the men who made this daring charge are: Robert T. Clifford, master at arms; James Wallingford, captain forecastle; Henry Mansfield, coxswain; Herman P. Loss, Edward Brett, Henry Vonversen, ordinary seamen.

Clifford has volunteered upon no less than four occasions of danger since I have been aboard and never fails to do his duty. He is qualified for promotion to master's mate. All are good men.

This schooner cleared from New York for Port Royal, S. C., with an assorted cargo, and was towed once outside the line of blockade by a gunboat. I shall try to learn the names of the patriotic citizens of my State who entered into this little speculation.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. B. CUSHING,

Lieutenant, Commanding.

(Official Records - Navies. Ser. 1. Vol. 9. pp. 177-178.)

A portion of a diorama of the Cape Fear River waterfront at Wilmington during the Civil War showing ships of various types including a schooner. Photographed at the Cape Fear Museum, Wilmington, NC, in 2025.

A “dense thicket” on a North Carolina barrier island not too far from Topsail Island.

An army type 12-Pounder howitzer similar to the one taken by Cushing and his men. This one, Tredegar Number 1533, is displayed at Edenton, North Carolina. Read more about this howitzer here: https://www.santee1821.net/preserved-artillery/edenton-bell-battery-and-revolutionary-cannon