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| The gunboat “Massasoit” While the Federals with both army and navy closed in upon Richmond, heroic efforts were made by the Confederates to drive them back. Batteries were built along the river banks for the purpose of harassing the gunboats, and it was frequently necessary to land the crews of vessels — such as this detachment from the army gunboat “Foster,” near Point of Rocks — in order effectually to drive off hostile detachments. In the lower picture the “Canonicus,” one of the newer monitors, is seen coaling on the James. Under Commander E. G. Parrott, the “Canonicus” participated in the six-hour engagement with Battery Dantzler and the Confederate gunboats on June 21, 1864, and on August 16th and 18th, she, with other vessels, engaged the “Virginia” and the “Richmond” and Confederate troops under General R. E. Lee, to cover the advance of Federals under General Butler. The “Canonicus” participated in the Fort Fisher expedition, and to her belongs the honor of capturing the British blockade-runner “Deer” off Charleston, February 18, 1865. In the center appears the gunboat “Massasoit.” In the last action that took place with the Confederate flotilla on the James, at Trent's Reach, January 24, 1865, it was the “Massasoit” that received the only damage from the guns of the hostile vessels and the battery at Howlett's house. In the two-hour action after the return of the “Onondaga” up-stream, five men on the “Massasoit” were wounded. She was one of the third-class double-ender armored vessels and mounted ten guns. During this action she was commanded by Lieutenant G. W. Sumner, who displayed the utmost coolness and bravery in handling his vessel. |
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