February 14, 1863---The QUEEN OF THE WEST is captured

FEBRUARY 14, 1863:          

The U.S.S. QUEEN OF THE WEST, under Colonel Charles Ellet, is ascending the Red River in Louisiana, and has intercepted a steamer delivering provisions, called the ERA NO. 5. The Federals capture this vessel. As the QUEEN OF THE WEST approaches Fort Taylor, she comes under fire from the fort and from the C.S.S. WEBB. As the QUEEN OF THE WEST maneuvers, the pilot (whose loyalties have been under suspicion) drives her on a sandbar, and she is stuck. One of Ellet’s officers is wounded, and cannot be moved, so as the Confederate fire increases, the crew is forced to abandon ship; because of the wounded man, Ellet does not burn it. The Rebels capture the QUEEN OF THE WEST virtually intact, and the South has gained a powerful weapon.

On this same day the Commerce Raider C.S.S. FLORIDA takes the clipper ship JACOB BELL as a prize and burns it after relieving it of its cargo---two million dollars in Chinese tea.