My Wife's Great Grandfather

Started by CG6468, July 13, 2014, 10:26:21 AM

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CG6468

QuoteVERBATIM TEXT FROM THE CERTIFICATE OF RECORDS
   REGARDING THE MILITARY HISTORY OF

   LEWIS CARNEY

   -: THIS CERTIFIES that LEWIS CARNEY :-

Enlisted from Erie County, New York, on the 22nd day of December, 1862, to serve one year in the United States Naval Service and shipped as an Able Seaman on the "Clara Dolson" Mississippi Flotilla, from Cairo, Illinois, under Captain George Brown.

He served for a period on the U. S. R. S. "Clara Dolson". In January, 1863, he was sent aboard the U. S. S. "Indianola", Lieutenant- Commander George Brown, and steamed down the Mississippi River under order Acting Rear Admiral David D. Porter, to blockade Vicksburg, thus assisting Gen. Grant and Sheridan in their siege. On the night of February 13, 1863, the U. S. S. "Indianola", under orders of Acting Rear Admiral Porter run the Confederate Shore Batteries at Vicksburg, and Warrenton, Miss., being under a continuous fire for several hours. The vessel proceeded as far as Red River and there proceeded to return with a Coal- Barge lashed to either side to the mouth of the Yazoo River. About nine o'clock on the night of February 24, 1863, the U. S. S. "Indianola" was attacked by the Confederate Steamer "W. H. Webb", "Queen of the West", "Grand Era", and "Batey". After an action of nearly an hour and a half of ineffectual ramming, the C. S. S. "W. H. Webb", butted the U. S. S. "Indianola" in the stern, splitting her open and causing her to sink. Lieutenant Commander Brown, his officers and a crew of less than one hundred men after a brave defense against a Confederate force of four armed vessels, and over one thousand men, surrendered themselves as prisoners of war. The captured officers and men were first taken to Fort Jackson, thence they were sent to Richmond, Va., and were confined in Libby Prison. About the middle of May, 1863, Carney and others of the crew of the U. S. S. "Indianola" were exchanged at City Point, Va., and sent to Washington, D.C. In July 1863 they were returned to the U. S. R. S. "Clara Dolson" at Cairo, Ill.
   
In august, 1863, the said Lewis Carney was promoted to Boat-swain's Mate and joining the U. S. S. "Champion", Acting Master Alfred Phelps commanding, he served on her while doing patrol duty at the mouth of the Red River until discharged.
   
He was at all times with his command, except while held as a prisoner of war. As noted above and achieved an enviable record for bravery in action and soldierly bearing at all times.
   
He received an Honorable Discharge at Cairo, Illinois, on the 22nd day of February, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service.
   
He was born at Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., on the 21st day of March, 1834.
   
His marriage was to Anna Davern, at Buffalo, New York, on the 3rd day of July, 1864, from which union were born the following children, vis:- Mary Lester, Teresa, Lewis, Margaret, Cecilia, John, David and Frank.
   
He is a member of Richardson Post, No. 254, Department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic.
   
His wife is an active and honored member of L. C. B. A.
   
When quite young the said Lewis Carney sailored on Lake Boats and later on a merchantman from New York City to South America; make one trip to China and eight or ten trips to Liverpool, Hamburg, and other foreign ports, before the war.

These facts are thus recorded and preserved for the benefit of all whose who may be interested.

(Compiled from Official and Authentic Sources by the Soldiers and Sailors Historical and Benevolent Society)

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause to be affixed the seal of the Society.

Done at Washington, D. C. this 25th day of August, A.D. 1903.

(ss) C. D. Coyne
No. 43200



None of my side of the family tree was in the USA until several years after the Civil War.
1960s Coast Guardsman