David Martin

June 15, 2023

Battle of Head of Passes


(The Only Confederate Naval Victory)

The Battle of the Head of Passes was a bloodless naval battle of the American Civil War. It was a naval raid made by the Confederate river defense fleet, also known as the “mosquito fleet” in the local media, on ships of the Union blockade squadron anchored at the Head of Passes. The mosquito fleet deployed three fire rafts, which were ignited and followed the ironclad ram CSS Manassas into the action. The attack occurred after moonset in the early hours of October 12, 1861, and routed the Union fleet, which fled in disorder down the Southwest pass of the delta. After sunrise Commodore George N. Hollins, running low on ammunition and fuel, ordered the mosquito fleet to withdraw upriver.

A native of Baton Rouge, David is the Senior Battlefield Guide for Blue, Gray & Bayous, “A Civil War Tour Experience” and a longtime member of the Baton Rouge Civil War Roundtable. David is the Port Hudson Battlefield Guide, the author and narrator of the Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Battlepark and a tour guide for American Cruise Line excursions at Blue, Gray & Bayous.  He is a member the 10th Brigade Louisiana State Militia reenactment group; Friends of Port Hudson; H.W. Allen Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans; East Gate Lodge 452, F&AM and is a long-time volunteer at the Port Hudson State Historic Site.

Place: Drusilla Seafood, 3482 Drusilla Lane http://drusillaplace.com/
Meeting Time: 6:30 pm Doors open, Meeting begins 7:00 pm, End 8:30 to 9:00pm.
Meeting Cost: Drusilla Price increase - $35.00 includes tax, tip, food and fun.
Reservations: Please make a reservation(s) by Tuesday March 15.
Late Reservations: Welcomed and appreciated.
Contact: John Potts (225) 937-2782, or brcwrt@att.net
Book Raffle: A selection of books or items. $1 per ticket or 6 tickets for $5.
Website - http://www.brcwrt.com .