Morgan was built at Molbile, Alabama in 1861-1862. She operated in the waters around Mobile from the time of her completion early in 1862 to the close of hostilities. One reference of October 1862 gave her the name Admiral.
Morgan, commanded by Commander George W. Harrison, CSN, took an active part in the battle of Mobile Bay on Aug. 5th 1864. Situated well to the right of the Confederate line of battle as the enemy proceeded up the channel, she was able to deliver a telling broadside raking fire against USS Hartford and others. Toward the end of the engagement, she was pursued by USS Metacomet but succeeded in driving her off. Morgan, attemting to avoid capture, then turned toward shallow water, grounded briefly, but continued on her perilous route and reached the guns at Ft. Morgan. She dispatched a boat which effected the destruction of Union gunboat USS Phillipi below the fort. Caapt. Harrison then saved Morgan by boldy running the gauntlet up to Mobile. Although hotly pursued and shelled by cruisers for a large part of the 25 mile starlight voyage, she reached the outer obstructions near Mobile at daybreak and that afternoon was permitted to pass though.
Morgan continued to serve in the Mobile area. In april 1865 she participated in the battle off Blakely Island in the last days of the War Between the Sates. Blakely Island is located just off the docks of Mobile between the ciy and Old Spanish Fort, located on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. It was commanded by Capt. Fry and sustained considerable damage during her final battle,. but survived the war. CSS Morgan stood alone alone between the city of Mobile and the invading Union troops. On May 14, 1865, Commodore Ebenezer Farrand, comanding the Confederate Naval Forces in the state of Alabama, ordered the surrender of Morgan to the U.S. Navy. She was sold the following December.
Fort Gaines is a historic fort on Dauphin Island, Alabama. It was named for Edmund Pendleton Gaines. Established 1821, and best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay. Ehxiits include the huge anchor from the USS Hartford, Admiral Farragut's ship on which he gave his world famous command "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" The fort also has the original cannons used in the battle, five pre Civil War brick buildings in the interior coutyard, operational blacksmith shops and kitchens, tunnel systems to the fortified corner bastions, etc. An ecxellent museum details the history of this period, as well as the colonial presence beginning in the 1600's when Dauphin Island was the capital of the Louisiana Territory. It was partially modernized for the Spanish/American war. It is an important tourist destination with tours and historical reenactment events. The site has been evaluated as one of the nations best preserved masonry forts from the Civil War Era. The site has been nominated for listings as a National Historic Landmark.
Something to think on!
From the Declaration of Arbroath, signed by the Scottish nobility in 1320
"-- For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we, on any condition, be brought under English rule. It is in Truth not glory, nor riches, nor honors that we are fighting, but for FREEDOM, for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."
