- CSS Alabama's Gulf of Mexico Expeditionary Raid
The CSS "Alabama's" Gulf of Mexico Expeditionary Raid commenced shortly after the
CSS Alabama leftBermuda and theAtlantic coast and cruised south toward the island ofDominica in theCaribbean Sea near theGulf of Mexico . The raid lasted from about the middle of November, 1862 to the end of January, 1863.The primary area of operation during this expeditionary raid, was the southern seaboard of the
United States starting fromDominica then ranging up alongCuba and toGalveston, Texas before finally heading south again towardJamaica .Raid overview
The CSS "Alabama" worked its way down the east coast of
Florida during the month of November toMartinique to rendezvous with her supply vessel, the CSS "Agrippina", and ran into the USS San Jacinto, narrowly escaping theUnion warship. The CSS "Alabama" then made her way toTexas to help defend the state from invasion from Gen. Banks Expedition, and sank the USS Hatteras, before escaping to the SouthAtlantic .From this raiding area off the coast of
New England , the CSS "Alabama" made her way into theCaribbean Sea and theGulf of Mexico to continue her unhindered wrecking of enemy commerce along the North American coastline.Raid bounty
References
*Hearn, Chester G., "Gray Raiders of the Sea", Louisiana State Press, 1996. ISBN 0807121142
*Luraghi, Raimondo, "A History of the Confederate Navy", U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1996. ISBN 1557505276
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