Screwpiles: The Forgotten Lighthouses

battle. Their taking this course has caused much excitement amongst the negro population, who are deserting in every direction. Two other boats made their escape last night, in the hope of being picked up by some vessel passing in the bay. I have rationed these negroes on board of this vessel, until I receive orders from you as to their disposal. They inform me that there is not a Union man near the entrance of the river. A few weeks since they murdered the only Union man near Stingray Point and his widow, Mrs. George Wilson, with three little children, are yet on the farm near the point; they are apparently unmolested. These negroes further inform me that ammunition is very scarce and that the 500 men in Mathews County have not two rounds of cartridges with them. These men are about 10 miles from Stingray Point, and are the nearest armed force in this vicinity. Enclosed I forward you a list of these slaves, together with a list of the names of their owners. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant O.S. GLISSON COMMANDER, U.S. Navy List of Slaves Owners John Hunter………………………………………………..Joseph Moore Samuel Hunter…………………………………………….Joseph Moore Miles Hunter ……………………………………………...Joseph Moore Peter Hunter……………………………………………….S. Crittenden Alexander Franklin………………………………………..Robert R. Carter David Harris………………………………………………Jeremiah Harron

Back River Lighthouse, circa 1885. Courtesy of Hampton History Museum

Report from Atlantic Blockading Squadron 42 From July 16 to October 29, 1861 Activities on the Eastern Shore:

At Horntown, John Holland, formerly tavern keeper, is a constable and police officer, and was ringleader in putting out Chincoteague light, assisted by Dr. Parker, ex-Postmaster Matthews, Dr. Wallach, and others. A gunboat in Chincoteague Inlet would prevent smuggling, prevent violent incursions into that island and Assateague, and secure the lighting of the light house. The store ship Relief and a large merchant ship were near getting lost there lately. This light is of great importance and the shoals very dangerous.

Back River Lighthouse, circa 1885. Near the Mouth of York River Newbern Weekly Progress , September 17, 1861: “Gallant Exploit of Confederate Troops”

John A. Dickson of the Burke County, N.C. Rifles, accompanied by twenty men of his company, and twenty others of Buncombe (N.C.) Rifles, left Yorktown last Tuesday afternoon at 4’clock in three boats and arrived at their point of destination about 11 o’clock at night. …The house was surrounded, the keeper, a man named Hawkins, secured, and then the lamps and building totally demolished. The keeper’s wife and children were treated with the utmost kindness and consideration, but Hawkins, the Southern traitor and Lincoln office holder, was taken to Yorktown…the destruction of the light seriously interferes with the navigation of Chesapeake Bay, and it is hoped may contribute towards the loss of several of Lincoln’s piratical craft. 41

H.S. Stellwagen, Commander

March 8 to September 4, 1862 Remarks about the lighthouse at Fort Monroe:

It occurs to me that it would be well to keep the light of the light house at Fortress Monroe from showing at all in the direction of Elizabeth River, and also that no

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