Joint Expedition Against Franklin

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict = Joint Expedition Against Franklin
partof = American Civil War



caption = The "USS Commodore Perry"
date = October 3, 1862
place = Franklin, Virginia
coordinates =
result = Confederate victory
combatant1 = United States Navy
combatant2 = Confederate States Army
commander1 =
commander2 =
strength1 =
strength2 =
casualties1 =
casualties2 =
notes =

The Joint Expedition Against Franklin was a small battle between the Union Navy and the Confederates during the American Civil War. The battle was fought on the Blackwater River near the city of Franklin, Virginia, on October 3, 1862, as several Navy ships attempted to provide support for Federal infantry.

Naval involvement

Three United States Navy steamships were sent to attempt to pass through Franklin, Virginia, on the Blackwater River to provide support for Union ground forces. These ships included the "USS Commodore Perry", commanded by Lieutenant Commander Flusser; the "USS Whitehead", commanded by Charles A. French; and the "USS Hunchback", commanded by Edmund R. Calhoun. [United States. US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December, 1862. pg 149-153]

The conflict

The attack

The night before the attack, the three ships waited three miles downstream from the city of Franklin. At 5:45 on the morning of the attack, the three ships headed towards the city while shelling the nearby banks. The attack was led by the "Commodore Perry", followed by the "Whitehead" astern the "Hunchback". By 7 a.m., when the ships were within ¾ of a mile from the city, concealed enemy troops opened fire.United States. US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December, 1862. pg 150.] The men were ordered to take shelter as the boats attempted to steam on through the violent musketry. As the "Commodore Perry" pushed blindly on, it ran into the bank of the narrow river. After freeing the boat from the riverbank, the ships proceed upriver until they found it had been blocked by trees felled by the Confederate forces. Waiting for land reinforcements, the ships sat at the barricade until 10:15, when it was realized that no reinforcements were to come.

The retreat

With enemy forces hiding in the brush along the riverbank, and reaching the impassable barrier, Lieutenant C.W. Flusser made the call to retreat. The retreat was slow, and the ships were not out of enemy fire until 2:30 p.m. . In Flusser's report to his commanding officer, he said, "The enemy attempted to blockade the river in our rear, and would have succeeded had we remained above for a few more hours." [United States. US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December, 1862. pg. 153] After retreating a safe distance, the "Hunchback" was sent to Plymouth with the dead to be buried and then steamed on to Roanoke Island with the injured.United States. US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December, 1862. pg. 151]

Outcome

The Confederate forces held back the Navy and forced them to retreat. No ships were lost in the battle, but the violent gun fight yielded 5 naval casualties and 16 wounded. For their distinguished services in the battle, Alfred Peterson, Edwin Smith, John Williams, Thomas Barton, John Breen, James H. Burbank and Daniel Lakin were all awarded the Medal of Honor. [cite web |url= http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/mohciv2.htm|title= Medal of Honor Recipients (M-Z) |accessdate=2006-11-07 |date=2005-04-27] [cite web |url= http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/mohciv.htm|title= Medal of Honor Recipients (A-L) |accessdate=2006-11-07 |date=2004-09-01] While summarizing the battle, Flusser's commanding officer said "The department will perceive that Lieutenant Commander Flusser (senior officer present) displayed his usual gallantry, and that the officers and crew of the three gunboats did their parts well, under very trying and difficult circumstance." [United States. US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December, 1862. pg. 140 ]

References