August 3rd, 1862
Confederates Blow Up Their Own Ship
CSS Arkansas
The Confederate ironclad Arkansas was ordered south to Baton Rouge to support operations there. The ship suffered engine problems and ran aground. The crew blew up the ship before the Union ship Essex could capture it. The Arkansas was only in action for 23 days.
August 2nd 1861
Benjamin Butler Bans Booze
Benjamin Butler
Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler addressed the problem of drunkenness among the troops at Ft. Monroe, at Hampton Roads, Va. He went about this in a straightforward manner, simply outlawing the sale of intoxicating beverages to the soldiers. This worked about as well as prohibition ever does: booze was found at one time or another stored in gun barrels, cannon tubes, and canteens.
