Robert Blake

ROBERT BLAKE. Contraband on board of the U.S.S. Marblehead in the engagement with the rebel batteries on Stono River, December 25, 1863; serving as a powder-boy, displayed extraordinary courage, alacrity, and intelligence in the discharge of his duties under trying circumstances, and merited the admiration of all.

SOURCE: Government Printing Office, Record of Medals of Honor Issued to the  Bluejackets and Marines of the United States Navy 1862-1910, p. 11

WASHINGTON, April 15 [1862]

The Steamer Yankee, Capt. Eastman, arrived at the navy yard to-day, having left York River at 5 o’clock yesterday morning. The Yankee went about eight miles up the York river on Sunday night; and anchored off Gloucester Point, where the steamers Penobscot, Marblehead and Wachusett were already laying. The rebel batteries at the Point are said to be very extensive, mounting mostly 100 pounders, rifled. They tried the range of their guns on the steamer yesterday one mile, the shot falling very little short of one. The vessels then descended the river, and about three miles below the Point discovered a party of rebels building a battery on the north bank, when the Yankee opened fire at a distance of three quarters of a mile. The rebels seemed [loath] to abandon their works, and although the shells of the Yankee fell in their midst they did not leave the vicinity, but took refuge in the woods and behind some neighboring log huts. The Yankee, after firing some sixty or seventy shot and shell during an hour and a half, left. As the Yankee was leaving, the boats of the Marblehead were on the way to shore to burn the house behind which the rebels had taken refuge.

– Published in the Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 1

From York River

WASHINGTON, April 15. – The steamer Yankee Capt. Eastman, arrived at the Navy yard to-day having left York river at 6 o’clock yesterday morning. The Yankee went about eight miles up the York river on Sunday night and anchored off [Gloucester] Point, where the steamers Penobscot, Marble Heart [sic] and Watchful [sic] were already lying. The rebel batteries at the Point which are said to be very extensive, mounting mostly 100-pounders rifled. They tried the range of their guns on the steamers yesterday afternoon, the shot falling very little short of one of them. The vessels then dropped down the river and about three miles below the Point and discovered a party of rebels building a battery on the north bank, on whom the Yankee opened fire at a distance of three quarters of a mile. The rebels seemed [loath] to abandon their works, and although the shells of the Yankee fell in their midst they did not leave the vicinity, but took refuge in the woods and behind [some] neighboring log houses. The Yankee [left] after firing some 60 or 70 shot and shell during an hour and a half. As the Yankee was leaving, the boats of the Marble Heart [sic] were on their way [ashore] to burn the house behind which the rebels had taken refuge.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862