The New York Times
June 2, 1861
An extra from the office of the Handsboro (Miss.) Democrat of the 22d inst says:
“We have just received information from a number of eye-witnesses, that the unfinished fortification on ship Island has been leveled to the ground, and completely destroyed. The buildings, comprising a large dwelling and various outhouses have been set on fire, the smoke of which can plainly be seen from the beach.”
Ship Island is the property of the United States Government, having been ceded to it by the State of Mississippi to be used for military purposes. It is situated in the Gulf of Mexico, thirty miles north of Chandeiner Islands, ninety-five miles from the North Pass of the mouth to the Mississippi, and seventy-five miles from New-Orleans. The Island is an important strategic point guarding the South Pass to New-Orleans by the Lake Ponchartrain route. Several years ago the Federal Government commenced the erection of a first class fortification on the island, and the work continued at intervals until the secession Government came into power, when the work was abandoned.
The work at the time of suspension had progressed to the raising of a portion of the casemated tier on the exterior faces. The Secessionists, after the Federal force was withdrawn, took possession of the island and the military works thereon, and improved it for defence by means of sand-bag applications, and placed a sufficient garrison therein. There were numerous wooden buildings on the island, used for blacksmith shops, stone cutter’s sheds and workmen’s shanties. In all probability, one of the United States vessels, of the Pensacola fleet, acting under orders from headquarters, proceeded near the island, and with a few shot and shells, have destroyed these buildings.
It will probably be recollected that the guns seized at Pittsburgh, several months ago, were intended for the fortress on Ship Island.
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- This snippet from a Southern paper was another war rumor that had apparently little basis in fact.
In January 1861, Mississippi seceded from the Union, becoming the second state of the Confederacy. One of the first acts of war in the state occurred on Ship Island when an armed band of Mississippi militia took possession of the island and the unfinished fort. The militia soon abandoned the island; and it remained deserted until early June 1861, when Confederate troops returned and mounted several cannons. On July 9, the Union Navy’s USS Massachusetts came within range of the Confederate guns. The 20-minute exchange of cannon fire which followed resulted in few injuries and little damage, to either side. That action was the only military engagement in which Ship Island or the fort would be directly involved. During the remainder of the summer of 1861, the Confederate contingent on the island worked with sandbags and timber to strengthen the walls of the unfinished fort. Despite their work, they abandoned the island in mid-September. (Read more at Wikipedia)
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