Synopsis of Eakins' Movements

14 June Saturday

Satellite sails from Hampton Roads for Philadelphia to tow Alligator south. (Ref Letters #123)

17 June Tuesday

Hirst recommends a tug be hired to tow Alligator south through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal rather than having the vessel dispatched from Hampton Roads (Satellite) take her on the open sea. (Ref Letters #124)

19 June Thursday

Satellite arrives at Philadelphia to find her services are no longer needed. (Ref. Letters #135)

20 June Friday
Alligator leaves Philadelphia under tow of the tug Fred Kopp, which carries Eakins and the crew of the submarine battery. (Ref. Letters #135)

23 June Monday
Flag Officer Goldsborough orders Commander Charles Poor at Fortress Monroe to provide the crew of the submarine battery with 20 barrels of powder. (Official Records). Satellite anchors in Norfolk near the squadron flagship (2) and the Fred Kopp arrives off Fortress Monroe with Alligator in tow (1). (Deck log, see below)

24 June Tuesday

At 4:15am Satellite gets underway and steams up the James River, followed by the Fred Kopp towing Alligator. Eakins and his crew presumably transfer from Fred Kopp to Satellite at this time (Official Records). At 4pm the Satellite records her position as one mile above the wreck of the Cumberland (3), and at 6:50pm anchors in the James (4) (position on the map calculated based on average time of passage upriver in other parts of the log).

25 June Wednesday
Satellite, Fred Kopp, and Alligator get underway at 4:30am, stopping from 8-8:45am at Jamestowne Island (5), and reach Harrison's Landing (6) at high noon. In mid-afternoon Satellite and Fred Kopp move upstream to City Point (7) and anchor near the squadron flagship, Galena. Whether Satellite coaled from Galena's stores or from a nearby (and unmentioned) coal schooner is unknown. Coaling takes from about 4pm until 6:30pm.

26 June Thursday
Commodore Rodgers, presumably in discussion with Sam Eakins, at some point decides that the submarine battery will not be of use on the Appomattox River raid and, as expressed later to Flag Officer Goldsborough (Official Records), is concerned that she might be captured and used against the Union fleet. At 6:30pm Satellite clears for action and, at 7:25pm, weighs anchor and joins the squadron heading up the Appomattox River to destroy the railroad bridge at Petersburg. By 10pm, Port Royal, Maratanza, and Satellite are aground in the shoal waters of the river. Satellite frees herself by 10:30 and attempts top assist Maratanza; in doing so she backs against that ships forward rudder and disables it.*

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*Maratanza is a double-ended gunboat designed to go up a narrow river and come back down without turning around.

27 June Friday

With help from the Jacob Bell, Satellite spends the day trying to tow USS Maratanza off Gilmore's Bar where she ran aground the day before. The Maratanza sent two hawsers over to Satellite, both of which she parted in trying to drag her off the bar. Despairing of doing so, at 4pm she began offloading coal from the gunboat in hopes of lightening her sufficiently to raise her off the bottom; USS Stepping Stones off-loaded Maratanza's ammunition.

28 June Saturday

Off-loading Maratanza's coal lasted until after midnight (totaling 25 tons). At 1:30am towing efforts resumed, and were successful at 4:45am. Satellite then heads upstream to help raise the Island Belle, but is unsuccessful. At 3:30pm, by order of Commodore Rodgers, the crew of Satellite, Stepping Stones, and Island Belle begin stripping the Belle of stores and weaponry, and then set her aflame. At 5pm Satellite weighs anchor and heads down the Appomattox to anchor (at 6pm) off City Point with the other ships of the failed raid. Forty-five minutes later Satellite is again underway and headed downstream (anchorage unrecorded, but occurred at 8:20pm).

29 June Sunday

Satellite weighs anchor at 5am and heads down the James for the mouth of the Chickahominy River (8), which she reaches at 8am. She an aground at 10:30am and got afloat again at 2pm. An hour later Satellite anchored alongside USS Delaware and CP Smith only 25 miles from Richmond (9).

30 June Monday

Satellite reports hearing heavy firing to the west, where, unbeknownst to them, the Army of the Potomac has retreated. The reports from shore--presumably from Union scouts--indicating that Confederate forces were within four miles of the small squadron, induce Eakins and Foster to offload the casks of powder taken aboard at Fortress Monroe rather than going into action loaded with so much explosive. Two casks are returned to the ship to make cartridges; whether cannon or musket cartridges is not indicated.

1 July Tuesday

Union cavalry pickets communicate with Satellite at 9am, probably informing Foster and Eakins of the retreat of the Army south to Malvern Hill. In the early evening Foster and Eakins decide to destroy the bulk of the powder they landed ashore the day before, retaining five of the casks, rather than let it fall into the hands of the rebels. At 7pm USS Delaware drops down the river, but is replaced by USS Port Royal just as the sound of firing reaches Satellite.

2 July Wednesday

An incongruously quiet day of heavy weather in the morning and rain in the afternoon. At 9pm a contraband reports that the Confederates are moving to cut off the gunboats.

3 July Thursday

Whether from (unrecorded) orders received or due to the imminent arrival of rebel forces, Satellite, Port Royal, and CP Smith weigh anchor at 5:30am and move down the Chickahominy. Satellite provided a tow to the Smith when the latter's feed pump broke, and also gave her coal; she also coaled the Port Royal 8 tons worth. (Note that there is no record of Satellite's ever returning any of the 25 tons she off-loaded from Maratanza on the Appomattox, so she may have had plenty to spare). Satellite ends the day anchored at "deep water" on the Chickahominy (10)

4 July Friday

Anchored at "deep water," Satellite spent the day tidying up. Specifically mentioned is carpentry work on "damages received from the USS Stepping Stones"--presumably in the attempt to haul off USS Maratanza, as the Appomattox River raid was the most recent time when Satellite was near Stepping Stones.

5 July

Satellite remains at anchor at "deep water" throughout the day and is visited by several Union cavalry pickets. In the evening, Foster takes ten men and another officer (Eakins?) ashore, captures one Mr. Willcox, and brings him back to the ship.

USS Stepping Stones approaches Satellite from down river at 10:40am and, presumably pursuant to orders delivered by that ship, Satellite and Delaware weigh anchor twenty minutes later and steam down the Chickahominy. They enter the James at 1pm and pass a large fleet of army vessels at 4pm (probably off Harrison's Landing, the new base of the Army of the Potomac). Forty minutes later, Satellite anchors near Galena, probably off City Point, where Foster receives new orders. An hour later, at 5:30, he moves his vessel downstream to Harrison's Landing, where Satellite anchors at 6:45pm.

Satellite remains anchored off Harrison's Landing through this day, restocking supplies and sending a crew ashore to clear trees from along the bank (possibly to open a field of fire rather than for fuel, as the ship's bunkers must still have had ample coal). At 9am, "Captain Akins of the submarine battery with 8 of his men" take their leave ad board the mail boat J.A. Warner, bound for Fortress Monroe.

Deck Log of the USS Satellite, 23 June–7 July 1862
Commanded by Amos P. Foster

23 June

Commence with calm and cloudy weather. At 2.15 AM came to anchor in Hampton Roads in 15 fathoms water with starboard anchor and 25 fathoms chain. At 6.20 a, weighed anchor and proceeded up towards Norfolk. At 8AM came to anchor near the flag ship the captain went on board. At 9.50AM the flag officer came on board weighed anchor and proceeded down the river. At 11.50AM went alongside of the steamer Georgeanna lying to the dock at Fortress Monroe and made fast. Mr JW Taylor the pilot ordered away and took his leave.

At meridian fresh breeze and cloudy. At 3PM commence raining. Laying along side of the steamer Georgeanna. At 4.30 PM took in our lines and started for Fortress Monroe and got aground. At 5.30 got off and steamed up the river. At 7PM went along side of the dock at Norfolk and took on board some empty barrels. The flag officer’s boat came along side and took him on board of his ship. At 7.15PM came to anchor near the flag ship. Wm Hoppson [?] off duty sick.

24 June

Commences with gentle breeze and broken clouds. At 3AM rain squalls from the westward. At 4.15 AM weighed anchor and proceeded to Fortress Monroe and went along side of the dock, it raining hard.

At 10AM received on board 35 casks of powder and 2 carbuoys and a few other things.

At meridian light breezes and cloudy. At 2.20 left Fortress Monroe and proceeded up the James River, the steam tug Fred Kopp following with a submarine battery in tow. At 4PM one mile above the sunken frigate Cumberland. At 5.30PM took a very heavy hale squall from the SW, the largest hale stones ever seen by any man on board. At 6PM broken clouds. At 6.50 PM came to anchor in 6 fathoms of water with the starboard anchor and 15 fathoms of chain, the tug towed astern of us. At 7.30PM the USS Cour de Lion came down the river with a steamer in town and anchored near by. At 8PM having a thunder shower. At midnight still at anchor. Wm R. Northroup, Michael Buckley, John Downing, and Wm Hoppson [?] off duty sick.

25 June

Commences with gentle breezes and cloudy weather. At 4.30AM weighed anchor and proceeded up the river, the tug following, the Cour de Lion proceeded down the river. At 8AM stopped at James Towne Island the captain went on shore. At 8:45 returned on board and proceeded up the river. At 11AM passed Hog Island. At 12 noon up to Harrison’s Bluff.

At meridian fresh breeze and passing clouds. At 3PM came to anchor near the USS Galena at city point, the tugboat Kopp came to anchor also with the battery several government vessels laying here. At 3.50PM weighed anchor and went along side the flag ship Galena and commence coaling. At 6.30 finished coaling, having taken in 6 tons. At 7.30PM took in our lines and proceeded to anchor near the flag ship. The steamer Maratanza came up and anchored. Wm P. Northrup, Michael Buckley, and John Denning off duty sick. Wm Heff___ returned to duty.

26 June

Commences with calm clear weather. At 4AM light airs with a clear sky, all quiet with the fleet. At 6.30 the steamer Matamoras proceeded up to city point with a flag of truce.

At 11.30AM the steamer Matamoras proceeded down the river.

At meridian fine pleasant weather.

At 5.20PM the USS Port Royal came up and anchored with the fleet. At 5.40 the captain went on the flag ship. At 6.30 cleared ship for action. At 7.25PM weighed anchor and proceeded up the river with the fleet. At 9PM commence shelling the banks of the river when within about 8 miles of Petters Barge the leading vessels received some heavy volleys of musketry but only ___ding a few. At 10PM shell them all out sent a scouting party up the river. At 11PM several vessels aground commence working to get off so ending. Wm R Northrup, Michael Buckely, and John Denning off duty sick.

27 June

Commences with light pleasant weather, employed in getting afloat and trying to get the USS [Maratanza] afloat but without success. At 4AM came to anchor with the rest of the fleet having fired away 36 3-inch shell and 9 percussion rifle shells and one rifle shot. At 11AM weighed anchor and proceeded to the [Maratanza] to tow her off at high tide. The Stepping Stones proceeded to tow off the USS Island Bell.

At meridian calm pleasant weather. At 1PM commence towing the [Maratanza]]. At 4PM gave it up without success, the Island Bell aground. At 4.30 went along side of USS [Maratanza] and commence taking on coal and ending the same [?]. Wm R. Northroup, Michael Buckely, and John Denning off duty sick.

28 June

Commences with light airs and calm. At 1.30AM finished taking coal having taken about 25 tons. At 2AM commence towing the [Maratanza] to get her afloat. At 4.20 got her off then proceeded up near the Island Bell and anchored saw some rebel pickets on both sides of the river.

At meridian calm and clear. At 2PM commence towing the Island Bell, the Stepping Stones assisting. At 3.30 could not start her; stripped her and got her on fire by order of the flag officer. At 5PM weighed anchor and proceeded down the river with the fleet. At 6PM came to anchor off city point the other vessels all anchored. At 6.45 weighed anchor and proceeded down the river this day received a boat from the Port Royal instead of one that we loaned her on the night of the expedition. At 8.20PM came to anchor in five fathoms of water. Wm R. Northroup and John Denning returned to duty. Michael Buckley off duty sick this day received from the USS Island Bell Henry Simmons a colored man for a cook.

29 June

Commences with gentle breezes and cloudy weather. [At 4AM] light breezes and cloudy. At 5AM weighed anchor and proceeded down the river. At 7AM spoke the USS Jacob Bell bound up the river. At 8AM entered the mouth of the Chickahominy River and steamed up. [At meridian] steaming up the river.

At meridian light breezes with very warm weather. At 10:30PM got aground [Note: must be 10:30AM, see following time]. At 2PM got afloat again, the captain went on shore and got a contraband to pilot us over the bar. At 3PM came to anchor about 25 miles from Richmond in 7-1/2 feet of water with 4 fathoms of chain the gun boat Delaware and CP Smith laying here. At 8PM cleared for action the steamer Smith having pickets on shore. Ending with fine weather.

30 June

Commences with light airs and calm with pleasant weather.

[8AM] Fine pleasant weather. At 10AM reports from shore that the enemy were within 4 miles cleared for action.

At meridian light airs with very warm weather. At 1.30PM heard guns in a westerly direction trained our guns and fired 10 8-inch shell and one percussion rifle shell. Our pickets saw some cavalry pickets a skirting the roads. At 4PM we heard more guns in a westerly direction. At 8PM heard heavy guns in a westerly direction ending with fine weather at midnight all quiet. This day landed 35 casks of powder still at anchor in the Chickahominy brought on board 2 casks of the powder to make some cartridges.

1 July

Commences with fine pleasant weather. At 4AM all quiet. At 9AM heard heavy guns in a westerly direction communicated with 4 of our cavalry pickets.

At meridian fine pleasant weather. At 4PM two boats came up the river from the USS Port Royal the USS Delaware proceeded down. At 7PM the Port Royal came up and took a position for battle. At 7PM heard quick firing in a SW direction seemingly but a few miles distance. At 6PM took on board 5 casks of powder and destroyed 28 casks more to keep it from the enemy if not being safe to have it on board. At midnight all quiet calm and cloudy laying at anchor in the Chickahominy river.

2 July

Commences with calm and cloudy weather. At 6AM light airs SE with rain. At 2PM heavy weather everything quiet. At meridian light airs with showers of rain. At 6PM the wind hauled to the westward with passing showers. At 9PM a contraband reported that the enemy was coming to cut us off. Ending with showers of rain.

3 July 1862

Commences with calm and showery. At 5.30AM weighed anchor and started down the river with the USS Port Royal and CP Smith. The Smith broke her feed pump so we took her in tow and proceeded down about ten miles and came to anchor near the Port Royal the CP Smith came along side and took 3 tons of coal the engineers fi[x]ing her pump. At 8AM Daniel McAfee confined in irons for using improper language.

At meridian calm and cloudy. At 1PM the CP Smith took in her lines and proceeded down the river. At 1.30 went along side of the Port Royal and commenced discharging coal. At 5PM the USS Delaware came up and anchored, the Port Royal having taken 8 tons of coal took her anchor and proceeded down the river. We then came to anchor and moored heading down the river ending all quiet. This day received from the USS CP Smith a colored boy.

4 July

Commences with gentle breezes and passing clouds. At 2.30AM a boat from the Delaware passed up the river. [At 8AM] all quiet around employed in painting the inside of the bulwark aft, the carpenter from the Delaware repairing damages received from the USS Stepping Stones. Daniel McAfee released from irons and turned to duty.

At meridian fine pleasant weather. This day painted the gig. [At 8PM] Calm pleasant weather. {Midnight} Calm with thick vapor a rising. Still at anchor in the Chickahominy River in a place called deep water all quiet around. This day received from the USS Delaware 6 muskets.

5 July

Commences with calm breezy weather. [8AM] Calm clear weather. [12m] Light airs and pleasant weather. At 12AM 3 of our cavalry pickets came on board.

At meridian fine pleasant weather. At 2PM the pickets returned on shore. [4PM] All quiet around. At 7.15PM the captain with 10 men and one officer went on shore. At 11PM the captain returned on board and brought a Mr Willcox [sic] as a prisoner. Ending all quiet.

6 July

Commences with calm and pleasant weather. [8AM] Calm clear weather. At 10.40AM the USS Stepping Stones came up and anchored. At 11AM weighed anchor and proceeded down the river with the Delaware and Stepping Stones.

At meridian fine pleasant weather. At 1PM entered into the James River and steamed up towards the flag ship about 5 miles before Hog Island passed a large fleet of steamers. At 3PM passed the mail steamer JA Warner bound down. At 3.20 passed two gun boats at anchor. At 4 coming to a large fleet of army vessels. At 4.40PM came to anchor near the flag ship Galena the captain went on board. At 5.30PM captain returned and weighed anchor and proceeded down the river. At 6.45 came to anchor near the gun boat Southfield. At 8PM all quiet along the banks.

7 July

Commences with fine pleasant weather. [4AM] All quiet along the lines. At 7AM saw a rebel battery open fire about 3 miles before two of the gun boats got under way and silenced them. [12M] Several gun boats and transports passing up and down the river.

At 9AM Captain Akins of the submarine battery with 8 of his men took their leave and took passage in the mail boat JA Warner for Fort Monroe.

At meridian calm pleasant weather. At 1.15 the paymaster’s steward returned from the flag ship with stores. At 2PM sent a boat on shore with a crew to fell some trees that stood on the bank. At 4.30PM saw a large line of schooners coming up the river the rebels opened fire on them with artillery the gun boats got under way and drove them away. From 5 to 7PM the gun boats shelling the rebel camp. Ending with fine weather. All quiet along the lines. Laying off Harrison’s Bluff. George Nelson off duty sick.