Battle of Portland Harbor

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This article is about the naval battle at Portland, Maine in 1863; for the battle off the south coast of England in 1653 see Battle of Portland.
Battle of Portland Harbor
Part of the American Civil War

Caleb Cushing burning during the Battle of Portland Harbor
Date June 27, 1863
Location in and off of Portland, Maine
Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States of America Confederate States of America
Commanders
Charles Reed
Strength
2 armed steamers 1 armed steamer
1 (captured) revenue cutter
Casualties and losses
1 revenue cutter captured 1 armed steamer captured
1 (captured) revenue cutter sunk
v • d • e
Northern Theater of the American Civil War
Portand Harbor–Saint Albans

The Battle of Portland Harbor was a naval battle of the American Civil War, fought June 27, 1863, at Portland, Maine.

[edit] 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.

[edit] References