James River Squadron

 

 
Image by Wm. Dunniway & Co.

 

 

The James River Squadron was formed shortly after the secession of the State of Virginia as part of the Virginia State Navy. In April, 1861, Confederate forces occupied the Gosport Navy Yards, capturing the frigate Merrimac. She was converted to the iron-clad Virginia and added to the squadron, but as the Federals Peninsular Campaign continued to press slowly closer to Richmond, the Virginia had to be abandoned as she drew too much water to operate in the upper James River.

With the loss of the Virginia, the Confederate government decided to add a new iron-clad, designed specifically for river use. The "Ladies Defense Association" was formed in Richmond to collect the funds and arrange for construction of the C.S.S. Richmond, the first entirely armored vessel to be built by the Confederates.

From July to the end of 1863, life was relatively quiet on the James. Because of this lack of activity, the War Department decided that the Army of Northern Virginia, always hard pressed for troops, needed the sailors more than the Navy. Detachments of sailors were assigned temporarily to cover the Richmond defenses and free troops for use in the field. Sailors continued to be used ashore for the rest of the war.

At the end of May '64, obstructions were removed from the James by the Confederates, and the Squadron was sent down river, only to find that the Yankees had built their own barricades. The Squadron continued shelling the Federals ashore at intervals until August 13, when a full naval bombardment was opened on the Union Army.

For the rest of the year, periodic duels between the JRS and the Union shore batteries were the rule. The JRS stayed almost constantly below Drewry's Bluff, daring the Federal fleet to a fight. The challenge was never taken up. In January of 1865, the fate of the Confederacy was already almost certain, but last desperate plan would be tried. The James River Squadron would run past the barricades in the river and disrupt Grant's supplies. Lee would then attack and break out of Richmond. During the fight, many of the ships were lost, others damaged to varying degrees. That night the river rose, floating the iron-clads, and the James River Squadron tried to run under the cover of dark. They were spotted, and heavy fire opened up on the fleet. The order to retreat was given and the gunboats limped back.

From that point on, the navy did little other than work heavy guns in the Richmond defenses. As Richmond fell the James River Squadron was ordered to destroy their vessels and join Lee's army. By the time they had burned the vessels, Richmond was in flames and no road was open to join Lee. Cut off from Lee's army, they marched to the outskirts of Richmond and, finding a train there, made their way to join Johnston's army.

Those who joined Lee fought a desperate rearguard action at Sailor's creek, then surrendered with the army at Appomattox. On May 1, 1865, Johnston's army, including the last of the James River Squadron, was surrendered to General Sherman, and disbanded.

The members of the NCWA's James River Squadron portray a detachment of men as a shore party. The members serve as skirmishers and cannoneers.

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Men of the James River Squadron aiding the artillery. Image by Pamela Takacs