November 27, 2024 • 24 mins
On the evening of 24 February 1863, the expedition that captured the USS Indianola involved a Confederate force of four ships: CSS Queen of the West, CSS Webb, CSS Batey and CSS Grand Era, the latter two being support vessels only. MAJ Joseph L. Brent commander of the expedition, caught up with the USS Indianola as it steamed up the Mississippi river to rendezvous with MG Grants army. Though outmatched in terms of firepower, the Queen of the West and the Webb steamed ahead, intent on ramming their Union foe.
Sources used for this episode:
Brent, Joseph Lancaster. The Lugo Case; Capture of the Ironclad, Indianola. New Orleans: Searcy and Pfaff, LTD, 1926. https://www.loc.gov/item/54050193/.
Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 11, pt. 1: Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1884. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924079609560&view=1up&seq=3.
Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 24, pt. 1: Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1889. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077699738&view=1up&seq=3.
Fold3. “US, Civil War Service Records (CMSR) Confederate – Officers, 1861-1865, Joseph L. Brent.” Accessed November 16, 2024. https://www.fold3.com/image/65655299/brent-joseph-l-page-4-us-civil-war-service-records-cmsr-confederate-officers-1861-1865.
“Death of Gen. Brent.” Times-Democrat, November 28, 1905. https://www.newspapers.com/image/165685451.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:22):
Hello everyone.
My name is bill Coughlin andwelcome to first person civil
war podcast.
Which retells the stories of thesoldiers and officers on the
ground.
And for this episode on thewater, In the battles of the
civil war.
Episode 38 is entitled major.
(00:44):
Joseph L Brent.
And the expedition to capturethe USS Indianola.
And relies on a book hepublished in 1926, which
combined two unrelated topics.
The Lugo case and the capture ofthe ironclad Indianola.
Joseph L Brandt was born inMaryland in 1826 and traveled to
(01:09):
California in 1850.
Where you described Los Angelesas.
Uh, city of about 2,500inhabitants, including the
population in the gardens andvineyards clustering along the
river bottoms.
By his estimate only 75inhabitants were American
citizens.
While the rest he described asnative Californians.
(01:32):
But it is assumed he meant thetongue venation.
And the first part of his bookentitled the Lugo case.
Joseph L Brandt recount some ofhis time as a prominent lawyer
in Los Angeles.
But he also became active inpolitics as a member of the
California state assembly.
After the start of the civilwar, Joseph L Brandt sided with
(01:56):
the Confederacy and traveledback east.
His method of return was by wayof Panama then by boat to New
York city.
Upon his arrival, he wasarrested for treason, but the
charges were eventually dropped.
And he was released.
By April of 1862, he managed tocross into Virginia and was
(02:18):
responsible for the ordinancedepartment of major general.
John B Mcgruder is army of thepeninsula.
But at that time, he held norank in the Confederate army.
That same month, major, generalMagruder or requested Joseph L
brand an officer's commission.
And in may he received the rankof major in the Confederate
(02:39):
army.
Following the peninsulacampaign.
Major Brent received orders toserve as the chief of ordinance
and artillery to major generalRichard Taylor.
Commander of the WesternLouisiana district of the
department of the transMississippi, to which he
reported by September of 1862 toAlexandria, Louisiana.
(03:04):
In February of 1863.
The USS queen of the west, whichwas a side wheel steamer, Ram
ship.
Ran the Vicksburg batteries.
Meaning from a point north ofthe city, it's successfully
sailed down the Mississippiriver.
And made it pass the Confederatebatteries that guarded the
Bluffs of Vicksburg.
(03:25):
Without suffering heavy damage.
The queen of the west, proceededto engage Confederate ships at
will.
On the various rivers south ofVicksburg.
And then sailed up the red riverintent on attacking the
Confederates at Fort DeRussy,but failed in its attempt.
And the ship was ultimatelycaptured on 14, February, 1863.
(03:50):
The queen of the west sailedfurther up river to Alexandria.
And once it arrived there, majorgeneral Taylor ordered major
Brent to assess the ship forfuture service for the
Confederacy.
And coordinate needed repairs.
Once major Brent reported thatthe ship was serviceable.
There was a little time wastedfor the now CSS queen of the
(04:11):
west to be pressed into service.
As reports of more unionironclads had run the batteries
of Vicksburg.
And major Brent received thefollowing orders from major
general Taylor.
Major J L Brent will takeSupreme command of the two
gunboats the queen of the westand the web.
(04:33):
Captain Charles Piercecommanding.
He will apply to major w M Levi.
Commanding post at Fort DeRussy.
For such aid and assistance, ashe may require to fit out the
expedition in the shortestpossible space of time.
Which aid will be rendered bymajor Levi to the extent of his
means.
(04:55):
Major Brent admits that he wassurprised to receive the order
to take command.
Given that he had no experiencewith the Navy or Mississippi
river boats.
By his rationale, major generalTaylor saw many qualities of
leadership within him.
Despite his rank and theavailability of officers senior
to him.
(05:16):
So he did not balk at theassignment.
Once major Brandt deemed thevessels ready.
He was to sail down the redriver and into the Mississippi
in search of further unionvessels that ran the Vicksburg
batteries.
While still in Alex, Sandria heput out a call for volunteers to
man, the two vessels.
(05:37):
And enough men answered to fillthe crew requirements, save
stokers for the steam engines.
While at Fort DeRussy major,Brent also took on detachments
from the Garrison commanded bymajor Levi, which included.
The third Maryland fieldartillery.
The 21st Tennessee infantry.
(05:58):
The new Orleans Crescent city,heavy artillery, and Burnett's
first Texas sharpshooters.
As both vessels were steampowered, they required stokers
to keep the fires burning andmajor Brent refuse to use the
volunteers from Alexandria orFort DeRussy for this task.
(06:19):
He made several requests fromthe fourths commander who had
slaves from the localplantations, strengthening the
fortifications, but was onseveral occasions.
Denied.
It was only at this point thathe relied on his appointment
orders to get the stokers.
He desired.
I then sat down at his table andwrote him.
(06:41):
That my expedition was ready toenter the Mississippi river and
engage the enemy as ordered bygeneral Taylor.
As soon as I had stokers.
That there were large numbers ofNegroes suitable for this work
at his forte.
And I asked him.
First to deliver me a suitablenumber of stokers.
(07:01):
Second.
Failing this to authorize me toseize and impress them with my
own men.
I further wrote that if hefailed to comply with my request
and to execute his orders fromgeneral Taylor to furnish me
with every aid.
I would suspend all of mymovement and send a courier to
general Taylor.
(07:23):
Informing him that theexpedition was ready to sale,
but was arrested for want ofstokers.
That major Levi had them.
But refuse to either deliver tome or authorized me to seize
them.
And that my movements areparalyzed by his actions.
Upon receipt of this letter,major Levi agreed to provide
(07:45):
enough slaves to service stokersfor the expedition.
The CSS queen of the west NCSSweb now had a total compliment
of sailors, troops and slaves of135.
And on the morning of 22,February, 1863.
The expedition was underway.
(08:06):
By this time, the USS Indianolahad already ran the Vicksburg
batteries.
And by comparison, even majorbrand did not expect his ships
to put up much of a fight.
I doubt whether any commanderever had an expedition of poor
promise against the formidableand well-equipped enemy as the
(08:29):
ironclad Indianola.
The boats were feeble and dillshaped for a Naval fight.
The queen of the west was onlyeffective as a Ram.
And this affectiveness waslimited to a blunt.
What in Bao?
And made nearly solid for only afoot.
It was armed with a 30 pounderparrot gun mounted upon the bow.
(08:52):
He detailed, smaller caliberweapons and cotton bale armor
and continues.
The web was a towboat usedbefore the war to bring ships
over the bar, into theMississippi river.
The bow was long and sharp.
but without any extra strengthgiven to enable her to act as a
Ram.
(09:12):
Upon her deck was mounted a 30pounds Navy gun.
That's the expedition saileddown the red river and made
stops the take on coal or woodfor the steam engines.
Major Brent receivedintelligence about the USS and D
NOLA operating in theMississippi river.
That it had two barges with coalin tow, which meant the ironclad
(09:37):
was slower than usual.
The expedition took on two moreships, the CSS Beatty, and the
CSS grand era.
And as they sailed up theMississippi river to Natchez
major, Brent also learned thatthe Indianola was steaming up
river toward Grant's army.
Still trying to cross the riverand March upon Vicksburg.
(10:00):
On the morning of 24, February,1863.
While passing the town of RodneyMississippi.
Major Brent calculated that hisexpedition could make five miles
per hour up river with the queenof the west and the web.
Compared to the Indianola'sreported two mile per hour pace.
This meant that the expeditioncould easily overtake the
(10:23):
Indianola by that afternoon.
But given the four Dahlgren'sguns aboard the iron clad
outclassed, all four Confederateships in terms of firepower.
Major Brent decided to interceptthe union vessel at night.
As the ships of the expeditionspotted the USS and de NOLA upon
(10:44):
the Mississippi river on theevening of 24 February.
Major Brent situated himself inthe pilot house of the queen of
the west.
Where he could communicate bestwith the entire expedition.
My plan of battle was simply toRam the enemy.
And continue ramming him as longas our boats held together and
(11:05):
floated.
I did not have enough men tothink of boarding.
As we knew, he carried anumerous crew.
And hence our only resource wasto undergo his fire and Ram and
Ram until the contest wasdecided.
As major Brent began his attack.
He feared a trap by the U S Navyand made one slight modification
(11:30):
as the queen of the west boarddown on the USS Indianola.
Not an indication of movement orlight was a parent upon the
Indianola.
As we drew near her great guns,remained to my amazement silent
and our machinery at rest.
(11:50):
I was so much impressed by thisunexplainable quietude, that the
idea suggested itself that shemight be protected by some
infernal machine.
Intended to explode when westruck her.
And to test this belief.
When about 100 yards distant.
I directed captain McCloskey toopen fire with his artillery and
(12:13):
sharpshooters and to continuefiring.
without pause.
Though the ship remainedsuspiciously silent.
It was a raid to fight.
As its primary armament facedown river in the direction of
the advancing Confederatevessels.
The smoke of our fire was stillheavy around our guns when we
(12:36):
were upon her.
But just a moment or two beforewe struck her machinery started
and rapidly backed her.
So that instead of our blowbeing delivered after the coal
barge upon the unprotected hall,we struck the coal barge almost.
Amidships.
(12:58):
Through and through the coalbarge and the great massive coal
grinding and rending.
Uh, Peerstar bow.
Until passing clear through, westruck the enemies hall.
The USS and D NOLA suffereddamage to its iron plate armor.
And the machinery that drove herside wheels were critically
(13:21):
damaged.
Meaning her maneuverability wasseverely reduced.
The CSS queen of the west hitthe USS Indianola with such
force that the two shipsremained lodge together.
Those stuck, the Confederateswept the decks with artillery
and rifle fire until the shipfinally broke free.
(13:45):
As we backed clear of the enemyafter stripping him of the
protection of one of his coalbarges, the swift web running
like a railway express dashedpast us.
Receiving and returning ourcheers and rushed at the enemy.
Discharging at 100 yards range,her rifle and banded.
(14:05):
32 pound gun.
But then the Indian NOLA wokeup.
And fired the two 11 inch gunsof her forward casement at the
web.
Each projectile weighed 166pounds and he continues.
But even at that range, the aimwas bad.
(14:26):
And one gigantic projectilepassed through the railing of
the bow and the other just aheadof her.
The CSS web struck the USSIndianola on its port bow, but
did little damage.
She then maneuvered across thebow to the starboard side and
collided with the other coalbarge, which extended beyond the
(14:49):
bow.
The web deflected off the coalbarge and steam to between it
and the Indianola.
And inadvertently cut the linesbetween the two vessels.
Though the first coal bargeserved as an extra layer of
protection against the charge ofthe queen of the west.
The commander of the Indianolaalready had a significant store
(15:11):
of coal on board.
But he also had these bargesslashed to the side for extended
travel upon the rivers of theregion.
With one split in two and theother cut away.
The Indian NOLA was now lessburdened to take on the
Confederate expedition.
Of the two main vessels in theexpedition, the web was smaller
(15:34):
and lighter.
And her captain decided to steamup river to add its force to Ram
the Indianola.
The queen of the west on theother hand, had the means to Ram
under her own power.
The queen made her turn rapidly.
And with a heavy head of steamrushed back to the attack,
(15:56):
receiving the fire of the twoguns, which failed to touch us.
This time, the Indianola backedand we struck her upon the turn
of her bow.
Which caused us to glance andcome into a parallel position
with her.
We poured a continuous fire fromour artillery and sharpshooters
upon her decks and received ascattering fire from her
(16:19):
sharpshooters.
The queen of the west.
Once again, disengaged from theIndianola.
And major Brent recognize thatthe maneuverability of his foe
was severely reduced.
For a third time, he ordered aship to Ram the Indianola.
We steamed down upon her asrapidly as possible.
(16:43):
Receiving and safety, the badlyaimed and ineffectual fire of
her guns.
As we approached, I saw that wewould be able to strike her
where I had always sought.
Just a bath.
Meaning behind her wheel house.
And he continues.
As we backed away out from thisthird charge.
(17:04):
The stern of the enemy turned byforce the blow or the current or
design.
So that we came almost under thetwo, nine inch guns of her rear
case mate.
Which opened on us at so close arange that the heat of the
discharge was very precipitous.
Abel.
The weight of each shot was 90pounds.
(17:25):
And he continues.
One gun mist.
And the other struck ustraversed.
Entering on our left side, justin front and above our boilers
and crossing the gun deck.
Killing two men outright andwounding for men.
And by spattering our deck andeven the pilot house with blood
(17:46):
and pieces of human flesh.
Just as the queen of the westdisengaged yet again.
The web now at full speed.
Rammed into the Indianola.
Now crippled the union vesselcrossed to the Western bank
where the crew attempted tobeach and abandoned the vessel.
(18:06):
But failed.
The queen of the west though,still operable could not sustain
a fourth collision with theIndianola.
Major Brent ordered the web toprepare to Ram a third time when
he received word that the crewof the Indianola wanted to
surrender.
As the Confederate vessels stooddown major, Brent took stock of
(18:30):
the damages upon his ownvessels.
It was the most fortunateoccurrence for us that knew that
the web nor the queen was calledupon again to Ram the enemy.
If the web had rammed a thirdtime.
She would have undoubtedly sunk.
As our bowel had been smashed inupon her second charge.
(18:52):
Though the fact of this was thenunknown.
And of the queen.
The chief engineer reported thatthe shock of another ramming and
the horizontal pressure createdby it.
Would dislodge the block andcaused the main shaft to fall
down.
Producing wreckage of themachinery, if not the boat
itself.
(19:14):
Just as major Brent prepared toboard the Indianola and
officially accept the surrender.
He stepped on a dislodge bale ofcotton armor and fell into the
Mississippi river.
Caught in the current, hedesperately attempted to pull
himself out of the water and hefinally grabbed hold of the side
wheel of the queen of the west.
(19:34):
Until the crew of the webrescued him.
Major Brent board at the U S Sand D and NOLA and accepted the
surrender of the vessel from itscommander.
Lieutenant brown.
He reported that the Indianolawas taking on water and upon
further inspection.
Even the propellers and boilerswere an operable.
(19:56):
Unable to move under her ownpower, major.
Brent ordered the ship towed tothe Mississippi bank to keep it
out of the reach of Grant'sarmy.
But in this attempt, theIndianola sank into the river.
In 1864, Joseph Brant waspromoted to Brigadier general in
(20:17):
the Confederate army.
And took command of a Louisianacavalry brigade.
But he never led them in battle.
After the war, Joseph Brantspent two years as a politician
in Louisiana.
Before, returning to Maryland topractice law.
As for the Indianola, it wasraised from the river by the
Confederates, but would not seefurther service in the war.
(20:40):
It was eventually sold forscrap.
Thank you for listening to the38th episode.
The link to major Brent's bookis now available on the podcast
website.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn.
(21:01):
This week, you will find apicture of Joseph L Brent,
sometime during the civil war.
I'd like to thank the audienceof this podcast, whether you
began listening when it launchedon 10, January 20, 24, or even
if this is your first episode.
For almost an entire year, I'veendeavored to find the stories
(21:24):
of the men who fought in thecivil war.
And present them to you in aninformative and hopefully
entertaining manner.
Which also respects what eachauthor saw as important to him.
Through their words and myvoice.
I hope you've come to appreciatethat.
The soldier's account of abattle is just as important as a
(21:44):
generals.
I look forward to another year,providing first person civil war
podcast to you.
My amazing audience.
If you've enjoyed the podcast, Iask that you subscribe on
whatever platform you use andleave a review and share it with
your friends.
If you would like to support thepodcast financially, please
(22:08):
follow the link and titleddonate located in the top menu
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All transactions are securedthrough the Clover network.
Any amount is welcome andgreatly appreciated, and we'll
go toward the expenses of thepodcast.
(22:29):
With that said, I have anannouncement concerning episode
production.
My schedule in December is quitebusy.
And I've decided to publish mynext episode on eight, January,
2025.
(22:56):
To celebrate one year of thepodcast.
I've decided to make the nextepisode on eight, January, 2025.
A special episode.
Seaman James McGee and the crewof the USS Kearsarge face.
(23:17):
Captain Raphael SEMS, commanderof the CSS, Alabama.
And they both provide nextepisodes.
First person accounts.
At the battle.
Of share Berg.
My name is bill Coughlin.
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
Hello everyone.
My name is bill Coughlin andwelcome to first person civil
war podcast.
Which retells the stories of thesoldiers and officers on the
ground.
And for this episode on thewater, In the battles of the
civil war.
Episode 38 is entitled major.
(00:44):
Joseph L Brent.
And the expedition to capturethe USS Indianola.
And relies on a book hepublished in 1926, which
combined two unrelated topics.
The Lugo case and the capture ofthe ironclad Indianola.
Joseph L Brandt was born inMaryland in 1826 and traveled to
(01:09):
California in 1850.
Where you described Los Angelesas.
Uh, city of about 2,500inhabitants, including the
population in the gardens andvineyards clustering along the
river bottoms.
By his estimate only 75inhabitants were American
citizens.
While the rest he described asnative Californians.
(01:32):
But it is assumed he meant thetongue venation.
And the first part of his bookentitled the Lugo case.
Joseph L Brandt recount some ofhis time as a prominent lawyer
in Los Angeles.
But he also became active inpolitics as a member of the
California state assembly.
After the start of the civilwar, Joseph L Brandt sided with
(01:56):
the Confederacy and traveledback east.
His method of return was by wayof Panama then by boat to New
York city.
Upon his arrival, he wasarrested for treason, but the
charges were eventually dropped.
And he was released.
By April of 1862, he managed tocross into Virginia and was
(02:18):
responsible for the ordinancedepartment of major general.
John B Mcgruder is army of thepeninsula.
But at that time, he held norank in the Confederate army.
That same month, major, generalMagruder or requested Joseph L
brand an officer's commission.
And in may he received the rankof major in the Confederate
(02:39):
army.
Following the peninsulacampaign.
Major Brent received orders toserve as the chief of ordinance
and artillery to major generalRichard Taylor.
Commander of the WesternLouisiana district of the
department of the transMississippi, to which he
reported by September of 1862 toAlexandria, Louisiana.
(03:04):
In February of 1863.
The USS queen of the west, whichwas a side wheel steamer, Ram
ship.
Ran the Vicksburg batteries.
Meaning from a point north ofthe city, it's successfully
sailed down the Mississippiriver.
And made it pass the Confederatebatteries that guarded the
Bluffs of Vicksburg.
(03:25):
Without suffering heavy damage.
The queen of the west, proceededto engage Confederate ships at
will.
On the various rivers south ofVicksburg.
And then sailed up the red riverintent on attacking the
Confederates at Fort DeRussy,but failed in its attempt.
And the ship was ultimatelycaptured on 14, February, 1863.
(03:50):
The queen of the west sailedfurther up river to Alexandria.
And once it arrived there, majorgeneral Taylor ordered major
Brent to assess the ship forfuture service for the
Confederacy.
And coordinate needed repairs.
Once major Brent reported thatthe ship was serviceable.
There was a little time wastedfor the now CSS queen of the
(04:11):
west to be pressed into service.
As reports of more unionironclads had run the batteries
of Vicksburg.
And major Brent received thefollowing orders from major
general Taylor.
Major J L Brent will takeSupreme command of the two
gunboats the queen of the westand the web.
(04:33):
Captain Charles Piercecommanding.
He will apply to major w M Levi.
Commanding post at Fort DeRussy.
For such aid and assistance, ashe may require to fit out the
expedition in the shortestpossible space of time.
Which aid will be rendered bymajor Levi to the extent of his
means.
(04:55):
Major Brent admits that he wassurprised to receive the order
to take command.
Given that he had no experiencewith the Navy or Mississippi
river boats.
By his rationale, major generalTaylor saw many qualities of
leadership within him.
Despite his rank and theavailability of officers senior
to him.
(05:16):
So he did not balk at theassignment.
Once major Brandt deemed thevessels ready.
He was to sail down the redriver and into the Mississippi
in search of further unionvessels that ran the Vicksburg
batteries.
While still in Alex, Sandria heput out a call for volunteers to
man, the two vessels.
(05:37):
And enough men answered to fillthe crew requirements, save
stokers for the steam engines.
While at Fort DeRussy major,Brent also took on detachments
from the Garrison commanded bymajor Levi, which included.
The third Maryland fieldartillery.
The 21st Tennessee infantry.
(05:58):
The new Orleans Crescent city,heavy artillery, and Burnett's
first Texas sharpshooters.
As both vessels were steampowered, they required stokers
to keep the fires burning andmajor Brent refuse to use the
volunteers from Alexandria orFort DeRussy for this task.
(06:19):
He made several requests fromthe fourths commander who had
slaves from the localplantations, strengthening the
fortifications, but was onseveral occasions.
Denied.
It was only at this point thathe relied on his appointment
orders to get the stokers.
He desired.
I then sat down at his table andwrote him.
(06:41):
That my expedition was ready toenter the Mississippi river and
engage the enemy as ordered bygeneral Taylor.
As soon as I had stokers.
That there were large numbers ofNegroes suitable for this work
at his forte.
And I asked him.
First to deliver me a suitablenumber of stokers.
(07:01):
Second.
Failing this to authorize me toseize and impress them with my
own men.
I further wrote that if hefailed to comply with my request
and to execute his orders fromgeneral Taylor to furnish me
with every aid.
I would suspend all of mymovement and send a courier to
general Taylor.
(07:23):
Informing him that theexpedition was ready to sale,
but was arrested for want ofstokers.
That major Levi had them.
But refuse to either deliver tome or authorized me to seize
them.
And that my movements areparalyzed by his actions.
Upon receipt of this letter,major Levi agreed to provide
(07:45):
enough slaves to service stokersfor the expedition.
The CSS queen of the west NCSSweb now had a total compliment
of sailors, troops and slaves of135.
And on the morning of 22,February, 1863.
The expedition was underway.
(08:06):
By this time, the USS Indianolahad already ran the Vicksburg
batteries.
And by comparison, even majorbrand did not expect his ships
to put up much of a fight.
I doubt whether any commanderever had an expedition of poor
promise against the formidableand well-equipped enemy as the
(08:29):
ironclad Indianola.
The boats were feeble and dillshaped for a Naval fight.
The queen of the west was onlyeffective as a Ram.
And this affectiveness waslimited to a blunt.
What in Bao?
And made nearly solid for only afoot.
It was armed with a 30 pounderparrot gun mounted upon the bow.
(08:52):
He detailed, smaller caliberweapons and cotton bale armor
and continues.
The web was a towboat usedbefore the war to bring ships
over the bar, into theMississippi river.
The bow was long and sharp.
but without any extra strengthgiven to enable her to act as a
Ram.
(09:12):
Upon her deck was mounted a 30pounds Navy gun.
That's the expedition saileddown the red river and made
stops the take on coal or woodfor the steam engines.
Major Brent receivedintelligence about the USS and D
NOLA operating in theMississippi river.
That it had two barges with coalin tow, which meant the ironclad
(09:37):
was slower than usual.
The expedition took on two moreships, the CSS Beatty, and the
CSS grand era.
And as they sailed up theMississippi river to Natchez
major, Brent also learned thatthe Indianola was steaming up
river toward Grant's army.
Still trying to cross the riverand March upon Vicksburg.
(10:00):
On the morning of 24, February,1863.
While passing the town of RodneyMississippi.
Major Brent calculated that hisexpedition could make five miles
per hour up river with the queenof the west and the web.
Compared to the Indianola'sreported two mile per hour pace.
This meant that the expeditioncould easily overtake the
(10:23):
Indianola by that afternoon.
But given the four Dahlgren'sguns aboard the iron clad
outclassed, all four Confederateships in terms of firepower.
Major Brent decided to interceptthe union vessel at night.
As the ships of the expeditionspotted the USS and de NOLA upon
(10:44):
the Mississippi river on theevening of 24 February.
Major Brent situated himself inthe pilot house of the queen of
the west.
Where he could communicate bestwith the entire expedition.
My plan of battle was simply toRam the enemy.
And continue ramming him as longas our boats held together and
(11:05):
floated.
I did not have enough men tothink of boarding.
As we knew, he carried anumerous crew.
And hence our only resource wasto undergo his fire and Ram and
Ram until the contest wasdecided.
As major Brent began his attack.
He feared a trap by the U S Navyand made one slight modification
(11:30):
as the queen of the west boarddown on the USS Indianola.
Not an indication of movement orlight was a parent upon the
Indianola.
As we drew near her great guns,remained to my amazement silent
and our machinery at rest.
(11:50):
I was so much impressed by thisunexplainable quietude, that the
idea suggested itself that shemight be protected by some
infernal machine.
Intended to explode when westruck her.
And to test this belief.
When about 100 yards distant.
I directed captain McCloskey toopen fire with his artillery and
(12:13):
sharpshooters and to continuefiring.
without pause.
Though the ship remainedsuspiciously silent.
It was a raid to fight.
As its primary armament facedown river in the direction of
the advancing Confederatevessels.
The smoke of our fire was stillheavy around our guns when we
(12:36):
were upon her.
But just a moment or two beforewe struck her machinery started
and rapidly backed her.
So that instead of our blowbeing delivered after the coal
barge upon the unprotected hall,we struck the coal barge almost.
Amidships.
(12:58):
Through and through the coalbarge and the great massive coal
grinding and rending.
Uh, Peerstar bow.
Until passing clear through, westruck the enemies hall.
The USS and D NOLA suffereddamage to its iron plate armor.
And the machinery that drove herside wheels were critically
(13:21):
damaged.
Meaning her maneuverability wasseverely reduced.
The CSS queen of the west hitthe USS Indianola with such
force that the two shipsremained lodge together.
Those stuck, the Confederateswept the decks with artillery
and rifle fire until the shipfinally broke free.
(13:45):
As we backed clear of the enemyafter stripping him of the
protection of one of his coalbarges, the swift web running
like a railway express dashedpast us.
Receiving and returning ourcheers and rushed at the enemy.
Discharging at 100 yards range,her rifle and banded.
(14:05):
32 pound gun.
But then the Indian NOLA wokeup.
And fired the two 11 inch gunsof her forward casement at the
web.
Each projectile weighed 166pounds and he continues.
But even at that range, the aimwas bad.
(14:26):
And one gigantic projectilepassed through the railing of
the bow and the other just aheadof her.
The CSS web struck the USSIndianola on its port bow, but
did little damage.
She then maneuvered across thebow to the starboard side and
collided with the other coalbarge, which extended beyond the
(14:49):
bow.
The web deflected off the coalbarge and steam to between it
and the Indianola.
And inadvertently cut the linesbetween the two vessels.
Though the first coal bargeserved as an extra layer of
protection against the charge ofthe queen of the west.
The commander of the Indianolaalready had a significant store
(15:11):
of coal on board.
But he also had these bargesslashed to the side for extended
travel upon the rivers of theregion.
With one split in two and theother cut away.
The Indian NOLA was now lessburdened to take on the
Confederate expedition.
Of the two main vessels in theexpedition, the web was smaller
(15:34):
and lighter.
And her captain decided to steamup river to add its force to Ram
the Indianola.
The queen of the west on theother hand, had the means to Ram
under her own power.
The queen made her turn rapidly.
And with a heavy head of steamrushed back to the attack,
(15:56):
receiving the fire of the twoguns, which failed to touch us.
This time, the Indianola backedand we struck her upon the turn
of her bow.
Which caused us to glance andcome into a parallel position
with her.
We poured a continuous fire fromour artillery and sharpshooters
upon her decks and received ascattering fire from her
(16:19):
sharpshooters.
The queen of the west.
Once again, disengaged from theIndianola.
And major Brent recognize thatthe maneuverability of his foe
was severely reduced.
For a third time, he ordered aship to Ram the Indianola.
We steamed down upon her asrapidly as possible.
(16:43):
Receiving and safety, the badlyaimed and ineffectual fire of
her guns.
As we approached, I saw that wewould be able to strike her
where I had always sought.
Just a bath.
Meaning behind her wheel house.
And he continues.
As we backed away out from thisthird charge.
(17:04):
The stern of the enemy turned byforce the blow or the current or
design.
So that we came almost under thetwo, nine inch guns of her rear
case mate.
Which opened on us at so close arange that the heat of the
discharge was very precipitous.
Abel.
The weight of each shot was 90pounds.
(17:25):
And he continues.
One gun mist.
And the other struck ustraversed.
Entering on our left side, justin front and above our boilers
and crossing the gun deck.
Killing two men outright andwounding for men.
And by spattering our deck andeven the pilot house with blood
(17:46):
and pieces of human flesh.
Just as the queen of the westdisengaged yet again.
The web now at full speed.
Rammed into the Indianola.
Now crippled the union vesselcrossed to the Western bank
where the crew attempted tobeach and abandoned the vessel.
(18:06):
But failed.
The queen of the west though,still operable could not sustain
a fourth collision with theIndianola.
Major Brent ordered the web toprepare to Ram a third time when
he received word that the crewof the Indianola wanted to
surrender.
As the Confederate vessels stooddown major, Brent took stock of
(18:30):
the damages upon his ownvessels.
It was the most fortunateoccurrence for us that knew that
the web nor the queen was calledupon again to Ram the enemy.
If the web had rammed a thirdtime.
She would have undoubtedly sunk.
As our bowel had been smashed inupon her second charge.
(18:52):
Though the fact of this was thenunknown.
And of the queen.
The chief engineer reported thatthe shock of another ramming and
the horizontal pressure createdby it.
Would dislodge the block andcaused the main shaft to fall
down.
Producing wreckage of themachinery, if not the boat
itself.
(19:14):
Just as major Brent prepared toboard the Indianola and
officially accept the surrender.
He stepped on a dislodge bale ofcotton armor and fell into the
Mississippi river.
Caught in the current, hedesperately attempted to pull
himself out of the water and hefinally grabbed hold of the side
wheel of the queen of the west.
(19:34):
Until the crew of the webrescued him.
Major Brent board at the U S Sand D and NOLA and accepted the
surrender of the vessel from itscommander.
Lieutenant brown.
He reported that the Indianolawas taking on water and upon
further inspection.
Even the propellers and boilerswere an operable.
(19:56):
Unable to move under her ownpower, major.
Brent ordered the ship towed tothe Mississippi bank to keep it
out of the reach of Grant'sarmy.
But in this attempt, theIndianola sank into the river.
In 1864, Joseph Brant waspromoted to Brigadier general in
(20:17):
the Confederate army.
And took command of a Louisianacavalry brigade.
But he never led them in battle.
After the war, Joseph Brantspent two years as a politician
in Louisiana.
Before, returning to Maryland topractice law.
As for the Indianola, it wasraised from the river by the
Confederates, but would not seefurther service in the war.
(20:40):
It was eventually sold forscrap.
Thank you for listening to the38th episode.
The link to major Brent's bookis now available on the podcast
website.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn.
(21:01):
This week, you will find apicture of Joseph L Brent,
sometime during the civil war.
I'd like to thank the audienceof this podcast, whether you
began listening when it launchedon 10, January 20, 24, or even
if this is your first episode.
For almost an entire year, I'veendeavored to find the stories
(21:24):
of the men who fought in thecivil war.
And present them to you in aninformative and hopefully
entertaining manner.
Which also respects what eachauthor saw as important to him.
Through their words and myvoice.
I hope you've come to appreciatethat.
The soldier's account of abattle is just as important as a
(21:44):
generals.
I look forward to another year,providing first person civil war
podcast to you.
My amazing audience.
If you've enjoyed the podcast, Iask that you subscribe on
whatever platform you use andleave a review and share it with
your friends.
If you would like to support thepodcast financially, please
(22:08):
follow the link and titleddonate located in the top menu
bar of the website.
Right next to the social mediaicons.
All transactions are securedthrough the Clover network.
Any amount is welcome andgreatly appreciated, and we'll
go toward the expenses of thepodcast.
(22:29):
With that said, I have anannouncement concerning episode
production.
My schedule in December is quitebusy.
And I've decided to publish mynext episode on eight, January,
2025.
(22:56):
To celebrate one year of thepodcast.
I've decided to make the nextepisode on eight, January, 2025.
A special episode.
Seaman James McGee and the crewof the USS Kearsarge face.
(23:17):
Captain Raphael SEMS, commanderof the CSS, Alabama.
And they both provide nextepisodes.
First person accounts.
At the battle.
Of share Berg.
My name is bill Coughlin.
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
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