Battle of Portland Harbor

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Portland Harbor


caption=Caleb Cushing burning during the Battle of Portland Harbor
partof=the American Civil War
date=June 27, 1863
place=in and off of Portland, Maine
result=United States victory
combatant1=United States of America
combatant2=Confederate States of America
commander1=
commander2=Charles Reed
strength1=2 armed steamers
strength2=1 armed steamer
1 (captured) revenue cutter
casualties1=1 revenue cutter captured
casualties2=1 armed steamer captured
1 (captured) revenue cutter sunkThe Battle of Portland Harbor was a naval battle of the American Civil War, fought June 27 1863, at Portland, Maine.

Battle

On June 26, a Confederate raiding party led by a Captain Charles W. Jabez Reed (sometimes spelled Read), entered the harbor at Portland, sailing past the Portland Head Light. Two days prior to this, a Confederate raider named the "Tacony" was being pursued by the Union Navy at sea. To thwart the pursuers, the Confederates captured "Archer", a Maine fishing vessel out of Southport. After transferring their supplies and cargo onto the "Archer", the Confederates set fire to the "Tacony" hoping the Union Navy would believe the ship was destroyed. The rebels then slipped into Portland Harbor late in the evening under the guise of fishermen. Their plan was to slip back out of the harbor and try to destroy the commercial shipping capability of the area.

Sometime after midnight, the raiders slipped into the port area itself and proceeded to the federal wharf. Having the advantage of surprise, the crew seized a cutter belonging to the Revenue service, the USRC "Caleb Cushing", named after a Massachusetts congressman. Their original intent was to seize a steamer called the "Chesapeake", but its boilers were cold. Too much time would be needed to get the steam up in her, so they abandoned it for the "Cushing". They made their escape and fled out to sea. News spread of the Confederate actions and the military was informed of the rebel intrusion. They had been observed by several persons while taking over the cutter, and public fury was fanned by the incident.

Along with the soldiers went a six pound field piece and a 12 pound howitzer. The soldiers commandeered the steamer "Forest City", a cruise ship, and the steamer "Chesapeake", whose steam was finally up. All of the civilians on board were issued muskets to defend against the Confederates. The "Forest City", a faster boat, caught up to the "Cushing" and the "Archer" first. The "Cushing" opened fire upon the "Forest City" when it was within the two mile range of the "Cushing". The captain of the "Forest City" was afraid to pursue any further.

The "Cushing", being a revenue cutter, had two secret compartments hidden in the captain's stateroom. Captain Reed had not discovered the cache of powder and ammunitions that were stored there. If he had, the outcome would have been very different.

The "Chesapeake", which had left port sometime after the "Forest City", finally caught up and continued on towards the "Cushing". The wind was beginning to blow against the Confederate sailors and the steamers soon caught sight of the "Cushing". Lt. Read, of the Confederate Navy ordered the "Cushing" torched. The munitions exploded and destroyed the cutter after it was abandoned by his two dozen crewmen who escaped in the lifeboats. They were subsequently captured and held as prisoners of war at Fort Preble. The "Archer" was also soon captured and all Rebels were returned to Portland. It was discovered that the Confederates were in possession of over one hundred thousand dollars in bonds. These were to be paid after a treaty for peace was ratified between the North and the South. Public anger against the Southerners was high, and additional troops to safeguard the prisoners were requested. They had to be spirited out of Portland during the night to prevent a riot from breaking in July, when they were removed to Boston Harbor, where they were then held at Fort Warren.

References

* [http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter_info/veteran/civil.htm Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections, and Commissions]
* [http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/july/rebel-pirate-tacony.htm "Harper's Weekly"] , July 11, 1863
* [http://www.csnavy.org/shsp/shsp,clar-tac-arch,v23,p274.htm Confederate Navy Research Center, Mobile, Alabama]