Civil War

This Week in the Civil War

00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 535

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published March 27, 2013 at 1:23 PM CDT

On Saturday, March 28, 1863 near Patterson, Louisiana, Confederate land and Union naval forces clashed. The USS Diana had been instructed to make a reconnaissance to the Atchafalaya River; accompanying her were two Union infantry companies.

Confederate artillery assaulted the Diana, killing her master and senior mate and disabling her steerage. The Diana went aground where she was totally at the mercy of the Confederates’ fire. After more than two and one-half hours of withstanding the Confederate assault, the remaining ship’s officers surrendered their ship.

The Diana’s crew suffered 33 killed or wounded, including 7 officers, and dozens of captured infantry. The USS Calhoun, sent to assist the Diana, also ran aground but refloated herself before she could be attacked.