Not the CSS Slidell

[Trout and Apples]

Not the CSS Slidell


It has been stated more than once on CWT that a Confederate steamboat named Slidell was captured on the Cumberland River in January 1863, before her conversion into a gunboat (CSS Slidell) was complete.

In most instances, it is stated that the Slidell was being converted into a CS Army gunboat.

These statements bring up troubling questions, including how did a vessel whose conversion began in New Orleans in early 1862, or "was built at New Orleans in early 1862," (source DANFS) end up still incomplete on the Cumberland River in Tennessee in 1863. DANFS also states that the vessel was destroyed on the Tennessee River prior to February 6, 1863.

What actually happened is that the Federal armed vessel Sidell (actually, the W. H. Sidell) was captured and destroyed by fire (along with other steamboats) by Gen Joe Wheeler's (Confederate) Cavalry troops at Harpeth Shoals on the Cumberland River on January 13, 1863.

Harpeth Shoals is about 25 downstream, but NW of from Nashville. The nearest community is Ashland City.

There is a long newspaper article in the Louisville Daily Journal January 20, 1863, Page 3, Columns 2 & 3 which clearly states the Sidell was a Federal vessel captured and shortly thereafter destroyed by fire by the Confederates. The vessel is specifically referred to as the "national gunboat Major Sidell."

Below are attached are two clippings from that article. One is a clipping from column 2, followed by a clipping from column 3, which incidentally spells the vessel Slidell. Both clippings prove conclusively that the vessel was not Confederate, but Federal, as can be seen in the clipping below from column 2.

Likewise, the clipping from column 3 verifies that the vessel was Federal and captured by the Confederates. It is instructive that the Sidell is referred to as a (US) Army gunboat. This is the origin of the statement that the CSS Slidell was a "CS Army gunboat,"

Notice that this second clipping incorrectly spells the vessel as the Slidell, which may be the source of the confusion about which vessel is being referred to.

The engagement is also documented in ORA Volume 20 Part 1 Pages 979 – 984.

The Sidell is mentioned by name on pages 981 and 983.

By some means a researcher found this information but did not read it thoroughly. They jumped at the assumption this was the CSS Slidell and since that time others have not checked the original source, just simply repeated the error.

The CSS Slidell was simply not captured and burned on the Cumberland River on January 13, 1863.

The above facts should put to rest some of the misunderstanding about the CSS Slidell and allow researchers to focus on the vessel's actual history.

Personally, I do not believe the CSS Slidell was ever on the Cumberland River, or any of the rivers in Tennessee, nor do I believe she carried 8 guns as that untrustworthy source DANFS says. For a CSS gunboat on the Mississippi to carry 8 guns and leave no historical "footprint" seems extremely doubtful.

Trout and Apples

 

[Trout and Apples]

Not the CSS Slidell


It has been stated more than once on CWT that a Confederate steamboat named Slidell was captured on the Cumberland River in January 1863, before her conversion into a gunboat (CSS Slidell) was complete.

In most instances, it is stated that the Slidell was being converted into a CS Army gunboat.

These statements bring up troubling questions, including how did a vessel whose conversion began in New Orleans in early 1862, or "was built at New Orleans in early 1862," (source DANFS) end up still incomplete on the Cumberland River in Tennessee in 1863. DANFS also states that the vessel was destroyed on the Tennessee River prior to February 6, 1863.

What actually happened is that the Federal armed vessel Sidell (actually, the W. H. Sidell) was captured and destroyed by fire (along with other steamboats) by Gen Joe Wheeler's (Confederate) Cavalry troops at Harpeth Shoals on the Cumberland River on January 13, 1863.

Harpeth Shoals is about 25 downstream, but NW of from Nashville. The nearest community is Ashland City.

There is a long newspaper article in the Louisville Daily Journal January 20, 1863, Page 3, Columns 2 & 3 which clearly states the Sidell was a Federal vessel captured and shortly thereafter destroyed by fire by the Confederates. The vessel is specifically referred to as the "national gunboat Major Sidell."

Below are attached are two clippings from that article. One is a clipping from column 2, followed by a clipping from column 3, which incidentally spells the vessel Slidell. Both clippings prove conclusively that the vessel was not Confederate, but Federal, as can be seen in the clipping below from column 2.

Likewise, the clipping from column 3 verifies that the vessel was Federal and captured by the Confederates. It is instructive that the Sidell is referred to as a (US) Army gunboat. This is the origin of the statement that the CSS Slidell was a "CS Army gunboat,"

Notice that this second clipping incorrectly spells the vessel as the Slidell, which may be the source of the confusion about which vessel is being referred to.

The engagement is also documented in ORA Volume 20 Part 1 Pages 979 – 984.

The Sidell is mentioned by name on pages 981 and 983.

By some means a researcher found this information but did not read it thoroughly. They jumped at the assumption this was the CSS Slidell and since that time others have not checked the original source, just simply repeated the error.

The CSS Slidell was simply not captured and burned on the Cumberland River on January 13, 1863.

The above facts should put to rest some of the misunderstanding about the CSS Slidell and allow researchers to focus on the vessel's actual history.

Personally, I do not believe the CSS Slidell was ever on the Cumberland River, or any of the rivers in Tennessee, nor do I believe she carried 8 guns as that untrustworthy source DANFS says. For a CSS gunboat on the Mississippi to carry 8 guns and leave no historical "footprint" seems extremely doubtful.

Trout and Apples

 

[rebelatsea]

This has come up before in this forum. In January 1863 the 71ton BOM Pink Varble no 2, named after riverboat Captain Pinckney Varble was captured on the Cumberland River prior to completion as CSA Slidell. Conversion was started in July 1861 at Memphis Tennessee. She was a sternwheeler.

 

[trice]

This has come up before in this forum. In January 1863 the 71ton BOM Pink Varble no 2, named after riverboat Captain Pinckney Varble was captured on the Cumberland River prior to completion as CSA Slidell. Conversion was started in July 1861 at Memphis Tennessee. She was a sternwheeler.

Curiosity: how did she get from Memphis on the Mississippi River in July 1861 to the Cumberland River in January 1863?

On September 6th 1861, Grant occupied Paducah. It would seem unlikely that the Union would let a Confederate vessel steam past Paducah and into the Tennessee River after that date. By February 16th 1862, Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River has fallen, followed quickly by the fall of Nashville (February 25th). It seems unlikely that the Pink Varble (or the Slidell) could have steamed past those Union posts or the Union gunboats in the rivers.

My guess is she was, for some reason, sent up the Mississippi into the Tennessee and Cumberland before Grant took Paducah, which would probably involve some forethought/planning before Polk invaded Kentucky to seize Columbus. Was the idea to give the Confederacy a gunboat on the Cumberland while the way was still open? Or did the Pink Varble (Slidell) just end up on the Cumberland by chance?

 

[DaveWoodchuck]

One of the bigger pains in untangling the whole knot of "what ship is where" is that both sides freely drew from the same pool of names for ships.

That US Army boat absolutely existed, and the Pink Varble also existed, and there was an intent to rename her.

As for the DANFS records conflating the two, that's pretty common, too. You've got some good info, but digging deeper into CS correspondence will get you right back to scratching your head.

I'm not totally sold on the Pink Varble being captured in January - I'm still poking around that one. I think the January incident references the US gunboat. Pink Varble's capture seems more likely to be sooner, more like late 62, after the upper rivers were secured following the fall of Columbus.

 

[Trout and Apples]

This has come up before in this forum. In January 1863 the 71ton BOM Pink Varble no 2, named after riverboat Captain Pinckney Varble was captured on the Cumberland River prior to completion as CSA Slidell. Conversion was started in July 1861 at Memphis Tennessee. She was a sternwheeler.

I am aware that: "this has come up before in this forum."

But I ask you, or anyone, to produce substantiating sources that confirm any of the following items.

The CSS Slidell's conversion was started at Memphis in July 1861.

The CSS Slidell was captured on the Cumberland River in January 1863 prior to completion as CSS Slidell.

Some of my research materials are not accessible at this time, so I am unable to find out if the Pink Varble no. 2 became the CSS Slidell. This statement may actually be correct, but its possible that the Varble became the US Army gunboat W. H. Slidell.

So, what documentation is there that the Varble became the CSS Slidell?

I have not seen it stated, but when, how and why did a vessel whose conversion started in July 1861 at Memphis end up being on the Cumberland River in January 1863, "prior to completion as CSS Slidell?"

Why is there no record found in the OR's (or anywhere else) of the CSS Slidell being captured by the Federals in January 1863?

 

[Trout and Apples]

One of the bigger pains in untangling the whole knot of "what ship is where" is that both sides freely drew from the same pool of names for ships.

That US Army boat absolutely existed, and the Pink Varble also existed, and there was an intent to rename her.

As for the DANFS records conflating the two, that's pretty common, too. You've got some good info, but digging deeper into CS correspondence will get you right back to scratching your head.

I'm not totally sold on the Pink Varble being captured in January - I'm still poking around that one. I think the January incident references the US gunboat. Pink Varble's capture seems more likely to be sooner, more like late 62, after the upper rivers were secured following the fall of Columbus.

Isn't it possible that the Pink Varble was renamed the US W.H. Sidell?

 

[Trout and Apples]

Curiosity: how did she get from Memphis on the Mississippi River in July 1861 to the Cumberland River in January 1863?

On September 6th 1861, Grant occupied Paducah. It would seem unlikely that the Union would let a Confederate vessel steam past Paducah and into the Tennessee River after that date. By February 16th 1862, Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River has fallen, followed quickly by the fall of Nashville (February 25th). It seems unlikely that the Pink Varble (or the Slidell) could have steamed past those Union posts or the Union gunboats in the rivers.

My guess is she was, for some reason, sent up the Mississippi into the Tennessee and Cumberland before Grant took Paducah, which would probably involve some forethought/planning before Polk invaded Kentucky to seize Columbus. Was the idea to give the Confederacy a gunboat on the Cumberland while the way was still open? Or did the Pink Varble (Slidell) just end up on the Cumberland by chance?

I agree with your first two paragraphs.
But in your 3rd paragraph you seem convinced that the boat, I guess that you are referring to the CSS Slidell went up the Tenn and Cumb Rivers. What if the CSS Slidell never did do so?
As the account of her capture is false, what reason is there to believe she ever went there.

 

[Trout and Apples]

Isn't it possible that the Pink Varble was renamed the US W.H. Sidell?

Why is there no evidence that the CSS Slidell was ever on those rivers, or that she was ever captured?
How many other Confederate gunboats were captured and not a single sentence can be found saying so, or anything else about them?
Not in the ORs, not in Civil War period newspapers, not in any CW era books, not anywhere during the CW time period.

 

[trice]

I agree with your first two paragraphs.
But in your 3rd paragraph you seem convinced that the boat, I guess that you are referring to the CSS Slidell went up the Tenn and Cumb Rivers. What if the CSS Slidell never did do so?
As the account of her capture is false, what reason is there to believe she ever went there.

Well, if she was in Memphis in July 1861 (Pink Varble being converted to the the Slidell), then she has to go up the Mississippi and the Tennessee to get to the Cumberland. If she never did, then the Pink Varble (the Slidell) was not destroyed on the Cumberland in January 1863. Pink Varble #2 seems to have delivered some machinery to Nashville in 1861, so maybe she just stayed there and was never converted to a gunboat in Memphis.

That date seems strange anyway. Nashville fell in February 1862. If there was a steamboat/gunboat on the Cumberland, where was she from February 1862 to January 1863? Docked or in a yard somewhere on the Cumberland East of Nashville? How far upriver could such a boat have been?

 

[Trout and Apples]

Well, if she was in Memphis in July 1861 (Pink Varble being converted to the the Slidell), then she has to go up the Mississippi and the Tennessee to get to the Cumberland. If she never did, then the Pink Varble (the Slidell) was not destroyed on the Cumberland in January 1863. Pink Varble #2 seems to have delivered some machinery to Nashville in 1861, so maybe she just stayed there and was never converted to a gunboat in Memphis.

That date seems strange anyway. Nashville fell in February 1862. If there was a steamboat/gunboat on the Cumberland, where was she from February 1862 to January 1863? Docked or in a yard somewhere on the Cumberland East of Nashville? How far upriver could such a boat have been?

Well, last question first.
Union war vessels (deep draft) and commercial steamboats traveled all the way to Nashville. How much farther upstream vessel could go in high water, I'm just not sure.

Personally, I just do not believe that the P. Varble became the CSS Slidell.
Its much more likely that the Varble became the US gunboat Sidell.
Again, much of my library is unavailable to me right now, but could the Pink Varble have "become" the US gunboat Sidell.
The CSS Slidell was not captured or burned January 13, 1863 on the Cumberland River, the US gunboat Sidell (possibly the P. Varble) was.
People have misread the US gunboat Sidell for the CS gunboat Slidell.
Notice that the Sidell was a US gunboat and the CS Slidell has been described as a CS army gunboat. See the confusion of the two vessels?

In order for a CS vessel of war to be on the Cumberland in January 1863, she would have had to enter the river in early February 1862, before the US Navy did. When Nashville was abandoned, the CS burned all their vessels to destroy them. Only one, the Eastport survived and was captured. If the CSS Slidell was there, how did she escape destruction? The USN hunted down every steamboat on the Tenn. rivers.


Most importantly of all, why is there no mention of this vessel anywhere, ever on the rivers of Tenn?
The misunderstanding of which vessel was captured on the Cumb. River on January 13, 1863, which lead some people to incorrectly think that the Slidell was destroyed there and then, was, but is no more, the only hint that the CSS Slidell was ever on the rivers of Tenn.
With that error corrected, there is nothing to connect the CSS Slidell with the Cumberland or any other river in Tenn.

 

[Trout and Apples]

Well, if she was in Memphis in July 1861 (Pink Varble being converted to the the Slidell), then she has to go up the Mississippi and the Tennessee to get to the Cumberland. If she never did, then the Pink Varble (the Slidell) was not destroyed on the Cumberland in January 1863. Pink Varble #2 seems to have delivered some machinery to Nashville in 1861, so maybe she just stayed there and was never converted to a gunboat in Memphis.

That date seems strange anyway. Nashville fell in February 1862. If there was a steamboat/gunboat on the Cumberland, where was she from February 1862 to January 1863? Docked or in a yard somewhere on the Cumberland East of Nashville? How far upriver could such a boat have been?

You said "If there was a steamboat/gunboat on the Cumberland, where was she from February 1862 to January 1863? Docked or in a yard somewhere on the Cumberland East of Nashville? How far upriver could such a boat have been?"
Maybe the question should ask, where would a CS vessel hide from the Federal army, including cavalry as well as the US Navy from February 1862 until January 1863?

 

[DaveWoodchuck]

See what I mean about how the deeper you dig, the more headscratchers you get?

Pink Varble existed, and was intended to become Slidell - check.
Next is to see if we can positively identify the origin of the US Army gunboat Slidell. That's where I ran into a wall.

It is, however, likely that CS river traffic could pass Paducah to the Cumberland in late 1861 - most of the Western Gunboat Flotilla was refitting or under construction in late November through late December of 1861. See the Confederate gunboat probes up past Fort Polk for an illustration of how unprepared the Union was.
So passage was possible, but not documented anywhere, during a 7 or 8 week period.

Now, the other question of where would she hide is stickier. The Red, Harpeth, and Stones Rivers are possible, as well as half a dozen creeks. It isn't unreasonable to think that an intended picket or gunboat gets squirrelled away up some creek - it certainly happened enough other times.

Unfortunately, at this point I've piled hypothetical upon hypothetical. Fun for a discussion, but useless for history.

This is my wordy way of saying I don't know, but, man, I want to find out. I'll keep watching this.

 

[trice]

In order for a CS vessel of war to be on the Cumberland in January 1863, she would have had to enter the river in early February 1862, before the US Navy did. When Nashville was abandoned, the CS burned all their vessels to destroy them. Only one, the Eastport survived and was captured. If the CSS Slidell was there, how did she escape destruction? The USN hunted down every steamboat on the Tenn. rivers.

Earlier. Grant has taken Paducah on September 6th, 1861. Between Union gunboats in the river and troops ashore, I cannot see how a Confederate gunboat could have run past Paducah on the Mississippi River to get into the Tennessee River to get into the Cumberland River after Grant took Paducah.

 

[Trout and Apples]

Earlier. Grant has taken Paducah on September 6th, 1861. Between Union gunboats in the river and troops ashore, I cannot see how a Confederate gunboat could have run past Paducah on the Mississippi River to get into the Tennessee River to get into the Cumberland River after Grant took Paducah.

Me either.

 

[trice]

Earlier. Grant has taken Paducah on September 6th, 1861. Between Union gunboats in the river and troops ashore, I cannot see how a Confederate gunboat could have run past Paducah on the Mississippi River to get into the Tennessee River to get into the Cumberland River after Grant took Paducah.

Me either.

A couple of old threads on the forum that might be useful:

CSS Slidell - redux​

The Pink Nardle/Vardle​

​

Pink Varble #2 (built in Louisville, 1859) did go to Nashville in 1861, sometime after Fort Sumter, to deliver machinery from New Hampshire to a cotton mill in McMinnville. Mr. Varble was a famous riverboat pilot. It sounds like the Pink Vardle #2 was grabbed by the Confederates after delivery and was still in Nashville when the city fell in February 1862.

In turn, the Union was apparently trying to convert Pink Varble #2 into a US Army gunboat. Wheeler's raid in January 1863 burned her.

 

[Trout and Apples]

See what I mean about how the deeper you dig, the more headscratchers you get?

Pink Varble existed, and was intended to become Slidell - check.
Next is to see if we can positively identify the origin of the US Army gunboat Slidell. That's where I ran into a wall.

It is, however, likely that CS river traffic could pass Paducah to the Cumberland in late 1861 - most of the Western Gunboat Flotilla was refitting or under construction in late November through late December of 1861. See the Confederate gunboat probes up past Fort Polk for an illustration of how unprepared the Union was.
So passage was possible, but not documented anywhere, during a 7 or 8 week period.

Now, the other question of where would she hide is stickier. The Red, Harpeth, and Stones Rivers are possible, as well as half a dozen creeks. It isn't unreasonable to think that an intended picket or gunboat gets squirrelled away up some creek - it certainly happened enough other times.

Unfortunately, at this point I've piled hypothetical upon hypothetical. Fun for a discussion, but useless for history.

This is my wordy way of saying I don't know, but, man, I want to find out. I'll keep watching this.

A couple of old threads on the forum that might be useful:

CSS Slidell - redux​

The Pink Nardle/Vardle​

​

Pink Varble #2 (built in Louisville, 1859) did go to Nashville in 1861, sometime after Fort Sumter, to deliver machinery from New Hampshire to a cotton mill in McMinnville. Mr. Varble was a famous riverboat pilot. It sounds like the Pink Vardle #2 was grabbed by the Confederates after delivery and was still in Nashville when the city fell in February 1862.

In turn, the Union was apparently trying to convert Pink Varble #2 into a US Army gunboat. Wheeler's raid in January 1863 burned her.

Thank you for that breath of fresh air of good history in the midst of a tornado of incorrect speculation.
I agree with you on every point except at this point I am not sure the the PV #2 became the W.H. Sidell.
I was aware of the CSS Slidell redux thread, but not the PV/N one.

 

[trice]

See what I mean about how the deeper you dig, the more headscratchers you get?

Pink Varble existed, and was intended to become Slidell - check.
Next is to see if we can positively identify the origin of the US Army gunboat Slidell. That's where I ran into a wall.

It is, however, likely that CS river traffic could pass Paducah to the Cumberland in late 1861 - most of the Western Gunboat Flotilla was refitting or under construction in late November through late December of 1861. See the Confederate gunboat probes up past Fort Polk for an illustration of how unprepared the Union was.
So passage was possible, but not documented anywhere, during a 7 or 8 week period.

Now, the other question of where would she hide is stickier. The Red, Harpeth, and Stones Rivers are possible, as well as half a dozen creeks. It isn't unreasonable to think that an intended picket or gunboat gets squirrelled away up some creek - it certainly happened enough other times.

Unfortunately, at this point I've piled hypothetical upon hypothetical. Fun for a discussion, but useless for history.

This is my wordy way of saying I don't know, but, man, I want to find out. I'll keep watching this.

Pink Varble #2 was apparently seized by the Confederates in 1861 and still at Nashville when the Yankees took the city. If she was converted into a Confederate gunboat, it had to be during that period. It appears she was a US Army gunboat when caught by Wheeler's raid in January 1863 and burned at or near Harpeth Shoals.

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XX/1 [S# 29]
JANUARY 8-14, 1863.--Wheeler's raid, including affairs at Mill Creek,Harpeth Shoals, and Ashland, Tenn.
NO. 4.--Report of Brig. Gen. Robert B. Mitchell, U.S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS,​

Nashville, January 13, 1863.​

MAJOR: The steamer Charter was burned last night about 8 o'clock, with her cargo. But two regiments have arrived from Gallatin yet; two locomotives have given out. Stanley went on the Hillsborough pike, as you directed. I think our force should have been sent nearer the train. **** the railroad, say I! ​

ROBT. B. MITCHELL, ​

Brigadier-General, Commanding.​

Major GODDARD. ​

-----​

NASHVILLE, January 13, 1863.​

GENERAL: Charter was loaded principally with commissary stores. She was 5 miles this side of the shoals, near Ashland. Ewing's brigade has not arrived. The last of Harlan's brigade has just arrived. There is "something rotten in Denmark" with the management of the railroad. Harlan's brigade is moving out on the Charlotte pike to-night. General Fry is here, and will go out in the morning. Stanley says the enemy have two full batteries and 4,500 men.​

ROBT. B. MITCHELL, ​

Brigadier-General, Commanding.​

General ROSECRANS. ​

-----​

NASHVILLE, January 13, 1863.​

GENERAL: The rebels are burning everything on the river. There are at least four more freight boats destroyed, and the Sidell taken and burned.​

ROBT. B. MITCHELL, ​

Brigadier-General.​

General ROSECRANS. ​

-----​

NASHVILLE, January 14, 1863.​

GENERAL: One of the gunners of the gunboat Sidell has arrived, and confirms the report of the burning of the boat. He says the pilot left the wheel, which was the cause of the disaster. He furthermore says that they knocked out the side of the boat next the enemy with their own guns, endeavoring to elevate their pieces to reach the enemy on the high bank. Van Dorn is a prisoner; the balance were paroled by Wheeler.​

ROBT. B. MITCHELL, ​

Brigadier-General.​

General ROSECRANS. ​

 

[Biscoitos]

Well, if she was in Memphis in July 1861 (Pink Varble being converted to the the Slidell), then she has to go up the Mississippi and the Tennessee to get to the Cumberland. If she never did, then the Pink Varble (the Slidell) was not destroyed on the Cumberland in January 1863. Pink Varble #2 seems to have delivered some machinery to Nashville in 1861, so maybe she just stayed there and was never converted to a gunboat in Memphis.

That date seems strange anyway. Nashville fell in February 1862. If there was a steamboat/gunboat on the Cumberland, where was she from February 1862 to January 1863? Docked or in a yard somewhere on the Cumberland East of Nashville? How far upriver could such a boat have been?

See what I mean about how the deeper you dig, the more headscratchers you get?

Pink Varble existed, and was intended to become Slidell - check.
Next is to see if we can positively identify the origin of the US Army gunboat Slidell. That's where I ran into a wall.

It is, however, likely that CS river traffic could pass Paducah to the Cumberland in late 1861 - most of the Western Gunboat Flotilla was refitting or under construction in late November through late December of 1861. See the Confederate gunboat probes up past Fort Polk for an illustration of how unprepared the Union was.
So passage was possible, but not documented anywhere, during a 7 or 8 week period.

Now, the other question of where would she hide is stickier. The Red, Harpeth, and Stones Rivers are possible, as well as half a dozen creeks. It isn't unreasonable to think that an intended picket or gunboat gets squirrelled away up some creek - it certainly happened enough other times.

Unfortunately, at this point I've piled hypothetical upon hypothetical. Fun for a discussion, but useless for history.

This is my wordy way of saying I don't know, but, man, I want to find out. I'll keep watching this.

You said: "Pink Varble existed, and was intended to become Slidell - check.
In my opinion this is not correct. I do not agree.
The Pink Varble existed, no one can question that.
I cannot say whether the P V became the US gunboat W.H. Sidell or not.
My hunch is that it did. But I cannot be sure. People have said the PV became the CSS Slidell, but it did not. Since they get the Slidell and the Sidell mixed up, maybe the PV actually became the W. H. Sidell.

 

[Trout and Apples]

You said: "Pink Varble existed, and was intended to become Slidell - check.
In my opinion this is not correct. I do not agree.
The Pink Varble existed, no one can question that.
I cannot say whether the P V became the US gunboat W.H. Sidell or not.
My hunch is that it did. But I cannot be sure. People have said the PV became the CSS Slidell, but it did not. Since they get the Slidell and the Sidell mixed up, maybe the PV actually became the W. H. Sidell.

Thanks for your input Bisquitos. I agree.
Its always good to have someone listening, paying attention and contributing to a thread.
I see that you are also an "early riser", make that very early riser. Thank goodness for strong coffee.
Do you a special interest in this attempt to find out the "truth" better known as the "facts" about the CSS Slidell/ Pink Varble/ US W.H. Sidell?