After capturing the Circassian, Chatfield and crew wait orders in Key West harbor, fire a disaster of a 34-gun salute, are sent on patrol, nearly sink their New York ferry boat in the Gulf Stream, and are reassigned to the calmer inside waters, where they take up blockade duties near St. Marks and Cedar Key.
Thanks a near tornado in Durham last night, my hotel had no power from 7 to 11, so I did the transcription by the light of the screen and my Thinkpad’s keyboard light.
I loved reading about the Somerset and the adventures of Thomas Chatfield. My GG Grandfather was the paymaster Stewart on this ship. I have over 60 letters he wrote to his parents while on board the Somerset. He mentions Thomas Chatfield several times in his letters, its great to see these connections during the Civil War. Most of the stories Chatfield writes about in part 8 & 9 are also documented in the letters I have.
Thanks again,
Chris
Chris,
Would love to see those letters if you ever get them transcribed. I think this is a little known, but fascinating corner of Civil War history, and as you probably have learned, there isn’t a great deal of information available about the Gulf Squadron of the Union Navy.